That new apartment building by the side of I-290 in Worcester? Here's what we know

Toni Caushi, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Updated ·2 min read
2

WORCESTER – Whether you’re taking a quick turn into Mulberry Street from Shrewsbury Street or if you’re zooming along Interstate 290, motorists can't help catching a glimpse of the black and brown building that now rises from the spot where Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church once served the Italian Catholic community.

A 370-apartment building, coined Alta on the Row, is nearing completion, according to a representative for developers Wood Partners, a Georgia-based company with offices in Boston.

The company expects the first tenants to move in Jan. 2.

For its one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment options, Wood Partners will start to take in preleasing as early as November, according to the company.

Rent prices have not yet been set, the company says.

The project followed the city’s decision to tear down the 90-year-old Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in 2019, after it was deemed irreparable, seemingly damaged in part by the vibrations coming from the highway, where commuters buzzed through daily for decades.

In May of last year, Georgia-based developers Wood Partners East Acquisitions acquired the property for $5.6 million, breaking ground on the project only two weeks later.

It wasn’t long before the bones of the five-floor apartment building and a five-floor car garage started to appear, with hardhats working quickly to meet the open target date.

Alta on the Row apartments under construction on Mulberry Street
Alta on the Row apartments under construction on Mulberry Street

The complex’s logo, a classic smiley face with “AOTR” (the O stylized with a tilt) over the eyes of the Worcester-born icon, is one cultural reference to the city; the name, Alta on the Row, was inspired by the “Restaurant Row” nickname held by Shrewsbury Street, which darts by not far from the building.

According to the developers, each apartment is built with wood-style flooring, stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms.

The complex will be pet-friendly with an on-site pet spa and a dog park with covered dog wash stations.

Based on renderings, the buildings square around a courtyard where a resort-sized pool will take the center of the commonly shared space.

Other common areas include a rooftop lounge, a 24/7 gym, a game lounge and golf simulator lounge.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: That new apartment building by the side of I-290 in Worcester? Here's what we know