Construction and restoration work is now underway at the historic Warren Hall building in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, where a coalition of public, nonprofit and private-sector groups is undertaking a comprehensive rehabilitation of its affordable housing. The initiative focuses on preserving and upgrading an existing multifamily property while re-establishing long-term affordability for residents.
The project team includes Allston Brighton CDC (ABCDC), Schochet, the Mayor’s Office of Housing at the City of Boston (MOH), the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), MassHousing and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Private-sector equity is being provided by R4 Capital and Dorfman Capital, aligning public resources with private investment to support the repositioning of the building.
Warren Hall, located at 329-337 Washington St., was constructed in 1879 and is described as a historically significant structure in Brighton Center. The building contains apartments on the upper floors and commercial space at street level, and it has long served as a residential asset within the neighborhood. It was originally converted into housing in the 1970s, bringing apartment units to the upper levels of the property.
As part of the current rehabilitation, the existing 33 apartments on the upper floors are being reconfigured into 35 units, modestly increasing the residential count while maintaining the building’s established use. On the ground floor, six commercial bays are being reworked into a new layout with three commercial spaces and two residential apartments that will be ADA-compliant, adding accessible housing within the project.
The need for intervention at Warren Hall followed the expiration of a HUD-insured Section 236 mortgage after its initial 40-year term. When the mortgage ended, affordability at the property was not extended by the then-current ownership. Over time, the private owner also deferred significant repair and maintenance work, and the building ultimately fell into disrepair.
To address both the physical condition of the property and the loss of affordability protections, ABCDC, Schochet, MOH and CEDAC worked together to acquire Warren Hall in 2024. The acquisition set the stage for a full rehabilitation program aimed at repairing the structure, updating the apartments and common areas, and reintroducing affordability for residents. The current construction marks the implementation of that plan, bringing new investment and coordinated public-private support to a long-standing multifamily asset in Brighton Center.
