With former Hull aquarium demolished, construction of 21 apartments begins. What we know

Hannah Morse, The Patriot Ledger
Updated ·1 min read
A rendering of the 21-unit apartment complex under construction at 120 Nantasket Ave. in Hull.
A rendering of the 21-unit apartment complex under construction at 120 Nantasket Ave. in Hull.

HULL − In a style reminiscent of a “Mediterranean hill town,” nearly two dozen apartments are under construction at the former site of the Atlantic Aquarium.

Above-ground construction at 120 Nantasket Ave. began in mid-January, said architect and developer Jonathan Leavitt, following the aquarium’s demolition in October and work to reinforce the foundation.

The work is expected to be completed by spring 2025.

Leavitt wasn’t shy about describing his design.

“I think it’s a very beautiful building. I think it’s quite nice,” he said.

More Hull development news: Reimagined Paragon Boardwalk could be part of new project

The former Atlantic Aquarium, which later became a hotel, a music club and a charter school, was demolished in 2023.
The former Atlantic Aquarium, which later became a hotel, a music club and a charter school, was demolished in 2023.

A swimming pool, an exercise room and covered parking are also planned.

The project has 21 apartments in all: five one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units. Each apartment has its own balcony and full-length windows that face the water.

The building's stepback design allows every balcony to have an unobstructed view of the sky. A local example of a similar design is the Atlantic Hill condominiums on Oceanside Drive. A more international take is Habitat 67 in Montreal, a Brutalist structure designed by Moshe Safdie.

The former Atlantic Aquarium, which later became a hotel, a music club and a charter school, was demolished in 2023.
The former Atlantic Aquarium, which later became a hotel, a music club and a charter school, was demolished in 2023.

The Atlantic Aquarium was built in 1972 and shut down less than three years later. The building then became a hotel, a music club and a charter school until 2005.

Fourteen years later, plans for a marijuana grow house and manufacturing plant drew outcry from neighbors. That proposal was dropped two years later.

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The former Atlantic Aquarium, which later became a hotel, a music club and a charter school, was demolished in 2023.
The former Atlantic Aquarium, which later became a hotel, a music club and a charter school, was demolished in 2023.

Hannah Morse covers growth and development for The Patriot Ledger. Contact her at hmorse@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Construction begins on 21-unit beachfront apartment complex in Hull