New Luxury Apartments Unveiled in Westford

There’s still a lot of work to be done and that was noticeable on the grounds of Princeton Properties’ new apartment building, Princeton Westford.

Trucks were pouring sand and tar in places, construction workers were putting the finishing touches on a model unit, and tractors were moving dirt around the sprawling complex.

But none of this activity stopped company representatives from holding its open house for the 200-unit complex.

When construction is finished, there will be five buildings, offering rental apartments between $1,650 and $2,450 a month. The apartments will be smoke-free and will allow pets. There will also be the opportunity for companies to rent furnished units. Forty units are designated as affordable.

Andrew Chaban, the CEO of Princeton Properties, said the project was a long time coming, with a previous developer creating the concept, then the Great Recession hit, but by bringing all interests together, from state housing advocates, town officials, and others, the project got done.

“We’re really truly pleased to be here today,” he said. “It’s been a lot of hard work.”

Chaban commended a number of public officials, including Town Manager Jodi Ross, ZBA member Bob Herrmann, and others, for their outstanding work assisting the company in getting the apartments built.

There were also a number of state officials on hand including Mark Curtiss of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, and Tom Gleason of MassHousing, who also assisted the developer, according to Chaban.

Curtiss, who has been working with MHP for more than two decades, lining up financing for projects, joked about the time it took to get this one together. But he also commended the town and Chaban, for getting the job done.

“It just goes to show that the development process is a very challenging process,” he said. “You’re persistence in the face of many struggles … putting a deal together in the Great Recession … that was a tremendous challenge. You guys have accomplished so much.”

Curtiss noted that the affordable units were greatly needed since Census data showed that more than 500 families in Westford and Chelmsford were paying more than 50 percent of their incomes on housing.

State Rep. Jim Arciero, D-Westford, also said it was an exciting time, since businesses were growing in the area, including a number of high tech firms with young people who wanted luxury units to live in. He also read a short proclamation in honor of the building.