October 3, 2017 – Universal Window and Door, a leading manufacturer of custom window solutions for commercial construction projects, provided the historic replica windows for the recently completed Yarn Works Apartments in Fitchburg, a former mill that was converted into 96 units of mixed-income housing for WinnCompanies, a nationally recognized owner, developer and manager of multifamily communities. The Architectural Team (TAT) served as the architect on the project and Colantonio, Inc. was the general contractor.
WinnCompanies celebrated the completion of the project at a late September ribbon-cutting ceremony that was attended by Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash, and Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale as well as numerous state and local officials. “Yarn Works is a once-proud historic property now reborn as a modern community asset that not only provides badly needed housing but also direct and indirect economic impacts for the local community,” said Larry Curtis, president and managing partner of WinnDevelopment.
Universal provided windows for over 350 openings, including approximately 280 8’x 10’ windows designed to maximize the amount of natural light in the units. The historically accurate aluminum replacement windows also allowed the redevelopment to meet the stringent requirements necessary to qualify for Federal and State Historic Tax Credits from the National Park Service and Massachusetts Historical Commission.
“We at Universal are proud to be part of a project that transformed this beautiful mill building into much needed mixed-income housing, and to continue to our long-standing relationship with WinnCompanies on these award-winning historic mill conversion projects,” said Tony Muraco, CEO of Universal Window and Door.
Yarn Works is comprised of 57 market rate units and 39 affordable units, with 29 of those units reserved for residents earning 60 percent or below of the Area Median Income (AMI) and 10 units reserved for residents earning 30 percent or below AMI. The complex also features a fitness center with yoga room and on-demand classes, on site laundry, a resident gathering lounge with soaring ceilings and an impressive grand central atrium gallery.