Bridgewater's Perkins Foundry to be forged into 150 apartments plus retail and commercial

Chris Helms, The Enterprise
·3 min read

BRIDGEWATER — The iconic Perkins Foundry is slated to become a three-building complex with 150 apartments and 20,475 square feet of retail and commercial space.

The town's planning board approved the project earlier this year. The developers still have to get several permits before the factory winds down operations and crews can start demolition, said Stephen E. Meltzer, vice president of project development for Edgewood Development.

Tom Perkins, of the family that started the foundry in 1848 and has owned it ever since, declined to comment on the project.

Rendering of the mixed-use development to be built where the Perkins Foundry now stands. This is the largest of three buildings planned. It would contain 116 1- and 2-bedroom apartments.
Rendering of the mixed-use development to be built where the Perkins Foundry now stands. This is the largest of three buildings planned. It would contain 116 1- and 2-bedroom apartments.

How many apartments will be built?

The current plan calls for 150 apartments to be split between three buildings across the 13-acre property. A four-story building at the back of the property would contain 116 apartments. The two buildings fronting Broad Street would offer commercial and retail. The building nearest the train tracks would have 16 apartments while the other would have 18 apartments. The apartments would be a mix of 75% two-bedroom units and 25% one-bedroom units. No studios or three-bedrooms are planned.

Fifteen of the apartments would be priced as "affordable." Households making no more than 80% of the typical income for area residents would be eligible to rent them. Numbers will have changed by the time the development opens, but the maximum "affordable" rent in the Brockton area is $1,834 for a one-bedroom and $2,201 for a two-bedroom.

Rendering of the mixed-use development to be built where the Perkins Foundry now stands. This is one of two buildings that would front Broad Street. It would have 18 apartments plus commercial and retail space.
Rendering of the mixed-use development to be built where the Perkins Foundry now stands. This is one of two buildings that would front Broad Street. It would have 18 apartments plus commercial and retail space.

What kind of businesses will open there?

With demolition not even started, Meltzer didn't have an exact time frame for when the new apartments will be ready to rent or businesses ready to serve customers. However, the new development will have more than 20,000 square feet of space for retail, commercial and restaurant space. "Building 3," which be the first building you'll see driving south along Broad, is being built to accommodate drive-thrus.

Rendering for redevelopment of the Perkins Foundry site, as of Feb. 10, 2023. It would transform the foundry into 150 apartments plus commercial and retail space.
Rendering for redevelopment of the Perkins Foundry site, as of Feb. 10, 2023. It would transform the foundry into 150 apartments plus commercial and retail space.

What approvals remain before project can start?

Edgewood Development has several more pieces of red tape to deal with before starting work in earnest. The project must abide by the state's environmental rules. Specifically it must comply with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. The company filed a required Environmental Notification Form and must produce a Draft Environmental Impact Report.

State transportation officials must approve a road opening for new driveway entrances along Broad Street. The developer will also need demolition permits before it can start taking down the foundry's existing buildings.

The Perkins iron foundry in Bridgewater as seen from the roof of the Eagle Cotton Gin Company, at the foot of Pearl Street, circa 1880. Retrieved from the Digital Commonwealth collection June 28, 2004 at https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:8s45qj09c
The Perkins iron foundry in Bridgewater as seen from the roof of the Eagle Cotton Gin Company, at the foot of Pearl Street, circa 1880. Retrieved from the Digital Commonwealth collection June 28, 2004 at https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:8s45qj09c

Will the history of Perkins Foundry be forgotten?

Bridgewater's historical commission brokered a deal to preserve the memory of the foundry, which has played a key role in the town's development. The developer will pay to design, fabricate and install a historical marker about the factory, according to a letter from Meltzer to the town's historical commission. Edgewood Development would also give a $2,500 donation to the existing Stanley Iron Works Park off High Street.

Henry Perkins established the foundry in 1848. It moved to its current location in the last years of the Civil War. The Perkins family industrial roots gave back even farther. Henry Perkins is descended from David Perkins, who built a foundry on the Town River in 1695, according to state historical records.

Wondering about a vacant building, construction site or other sign of change in or near Brockton? I’m veteran local reporter Chris Helms and I’ll help you find out. Email your questions and tips to CHelms@enterprisenews.com or connect on X at @HelmsNews.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Bridgewater Perkins Foundry: Apartments, commercial, retail project