Andover Town Yard

What if an underutilized town parcel could be transformed into a vibrant community asset while providing much-needed new housing? The Andover Town Yard neighborhood development will serve as an amenity to the town while also providing sustainable housing in a walkable community with direct commuter rail connection to Boston.

Located in a prime location a few blocks from downtown and immediately adjacent to an MBTA commuter rail station, Andover Town Yard is designed as a mixed-use transient-oriented development. The main residential building includes 164-units with garage parking and 6,000 SF of amenity space, 3 large courtyards, and a restaurant shell space. The site also includes a separate pavilion building with flexible community space and a café, with a large public plaza connecting the two buildings. The residential building is seeking passive house certification and the entire project is designed to meet LEED Neighborhood Development Plan and BD+C Silver.

Currently, the site of the town’s Department of Public Works is nestled within the Historic Mill District. The exterior design palette references the surrounding historic industrial context with a contemporary lens. Brick detailed with dark metal and precast accents, and large industrial-inspired windows form the primary volume facing the new public plaza. The plaza serves as the heart of the site with a landscaped sloped pedestrian and bike path connecting visitors and residents to downtown, with permanent art from local sculptors dotting the path, culminating in a playful interactive water feature. The plaza and adjacent community building pavilion are flexible spaces, designed to host public events such as markets, art shows, and performances. The new pavilion features a large folding exterior wall to connect the interior and exterior into one large activated space. Also off the plaza is a restaurant space, envisioned to have outdoor seating spilling out into the plaza.

The interior design takes its cues from the historic textile factories once prevalent in the town. The mill buildings bridge Andover’s past and present, blending industrial history with modern creativity and community revitalization. The interior of Andover Town Yard will celebrate the art of weaving through the layers of various materials, colors, and design elements, creating an atmosphere that is authentic, warm, and textural. Combined with the craftsmanship and simplicity, the space will invite the residents with confidence, comfort, and visual interest.