201 Canal is a new-construction project in Lowell, Massachusetts’ Hamilton Canal Innovation District that includes 125 units of mixed-income housing and 5,000 square feet of commercial space. The four-story building is an architectural and cultural reflection of Lowell’s industrial past, and the development team preserved and improved a historic remnant wall along the lower Pawtucket Canal. The site is transit-oriented and is a half-mile walk from the intermodal Charles A. Gallagher Transit Terminal. It was also built to meet high standards for energy efficiency and is certified by Enterprise Green Communities and Energy Star Homes.

Of the 125 apartments, 11 units are restricted to households earning at or below 30% of the area median income (AMI) and are supported by federal project-based housing vouchers; 15 apartments are restricted to households earning at or below 50% of the AMI; and 13 apartments are restricted to households earning at or below 60% of the AMI; 54 workforce apartments are restricted to households earning between 60% and 120% of the AMI; and, 32 apartments are rented at market rates.

201 Canal was designed with inviting indoor and outdoor amenity spaces to suit the post-COVID demands for outdoor space, the ability to work from home comfortably, and a sense of belonging to a community. Each apartment features floor-to-ceiling windows, vinyl plank flooring, stackable washers and dryers, and walk-in master closets. Kitchens and bathrooms include quartz worktops, white ceramic tile backsplashes, gray Shaker-style cabinets, stainless steel Energy Star appliances, and WaterSense plumbing fixtures. Modern features like an Amazon HUB system, a fully equipped fitness center, a stylish resident lounge, a dog grooming area, an outdoor dog park, and playful touches like a 10-foot tree in the lobby add a sense of newness and excitement.

In a downtown area in need of homes, a podium design maximized density. Although the project is on distinct parcels, creating a bridge connecting above a well-utilized street allowed for more units and provided a safe, continuous connection for all project users and easy access to the shared amenity spaces. The public’s lack of knowledge about middle-income housing was a barrier to this lease-up; in the first lottery for 54 apartments, just two applications were received. The team overcame this by educating prospective renters about this option. The leasing tea partnered with local non-profits, including the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, to get the word out about the workforce/middle-income housing option. The community was fully occupied on May 13, 2022, five months ahead of schedule.

Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
Developer: WinnCompanies