The Rebirth of the Abbot Mill

While the sign hanging in the construction trailer at the Abbot Mill job site simply states "It’s Virtually Built", renovation work at Abbot Mill has taken over five years and has been anything but simple.

With 129 varying sized $1,200 to $2,000 a month apartments, and nineteen units set aside for affordable housing, the project will greatly change the local housing market but no solid end date has been decided as of yet.

The completion date has yet to be exactly determined but Yule Development principal Chris Yule believes its only a matter of time.

“We’re running a little behind but it’s still going to be this year,” noted Yule. “We’re about one-third of the way through.”

However, the project would not have progressed as quickly from the beginnings of its reconstruction in January without the efforts of Woburn’s Tocci Building Corporation, the general contractor for the Abbot Mill project.

“Tocci is doing a great job,” noted Yule. “They have been very flexible with the many design changes that have been needed.”

Abbot Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places, which requires Yule and his team to work with the National Park Service to assure that design features are in accordance with their standards, such as the recent final approval on the main windows for the building and changing the roof color has been changed from black to white.

Still, the building will be rooted firmly in the future as well as the past with plans to make the building “green” upon completion.

According to Yule, additions such as 300 photovoltaic cells on the roof and energy efficient washers and dryers will not only help reduce energy consumption but also create what is known as the “Prius Effect”, a psychological phenomenon born between the realms of environmentalism and marketing.

“Energy (conservation) should come first.  If you do that the (cost saving) results are stunning,” said Yule. “(But) people like (green buildings) because they feel good about it.”

Many of the apartment spaces boast 14-17 foot ceilings, and with skylights running throughout the buildings, exposed brick and windows that let in light, these units are expected to have an urban feel.

However, not all the buildings of the Abbot Mill are being built identically, with some being used for parking and storage with others holding tri-level units that will hold lofts, dens and even bridges in some cases.

Between memories arising in Forge Village towards the complex that has long served as a focal point for the neighborhood and the amenities offered in the soon to be residential buildings, Yule believes the new and improved Abbot Mills will be a hit with local residents.

“Many Westford residents have (already) expressed an interest in moving in,” said Yule.

More information on the project can be found at www.yuledevelopment.com.