Anne M. Lynch Homes at Old Colony

One of Boston’s toughest housing projects, demolished and rebuilt from the ground up

In December of 2009, Beacon Communities was selected to execute the redevelopment of Old Colony, one of Boston’s most distressed and challenging public housing projects.  Built in 1940, Old Colony is the Boston Housing Authority’s largest housing development, originally comprised of 32 three-story brick walk-ups with 845 units of housing.

The first phase of the redevelopment was designed, permitted, and financed in a record 10 months in order to meet the requirements of its 2009 stimulus bill financing.  Subsequent phases have followed, resulting in a radically transformed community.  A new street grid reconnects Old Colony with the surrounding neighborhood and creates visual connections to the City and waterfront, and the new mix of building types, backyards, and courtyards creates a revived streetscape.

The development has received multiple green design certifications, including LEED for Homes Platinum, LEED for New Construction Platinum, LEED for Neighborhood Development, Energy Star, and HUD’s Enterprise Green criteria.

The community has been transformed along with the buildings themselves.  The new Tierney Learning Center is a hub of activity for everyone from toddlers to adults.  Residents played an active role in the planning process and are thrilled with and empowered by the community that they helped re-envision.