52 New Street

Rendering of 52 New Street

52 New Street is an approximately 145,000 square feet lot located in West Cambridge and is in close proximity to Danehy Park, Fresh Pond, the Alewife MBTA station, and retail amenities. It previously served as a commercial gym with a large parking lot.

Just A Start (JAS) acquired the site in January 2020 with funding from the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust. At the time, the Affordable Housing Overlay had not yet been adopted, but they were hopeful that it would be in place by the time they needed to secure permitting. Fortunately, the AHO was enacted in October 2020 and JAS has been able to take advantage of the increased density and as-of-right permitting path available under the AHO for fully affordable projects. 

JAS is constructing a new building on the site that will contain 106 affordable rental units. The building will comply with Passive House standards and will include features to ensure maximum energy efficiency such as a robust thermal envelope, efficient HVAC systems, and eco‐friendly materials. It will also contain a range of amenities including 2 exterior upper-level decks, a large community room, a fitness center and a business center as well as the possibility of a future connection to Danehy Park.

 

JAS completed the AHO process in January 2022 and closed on construction financing in December 2023. Construction on the project is underway.

For more information about this project, please visit https://justastart.org/52-new-street/.

52 New Street Public Meetings:

Meeting Date/Time More Information
Planning Board Meeting Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. View the meeting materials.
Planning Board Meeting Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. View the meeting materials.
JAS Community Meeting Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

View the meeting flyer.
JAS Community Meeting Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. View the meeting flyer.
JAS Community Meeting Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. View the meeting flyer.

Existing Site:

An industrial site on a deep asphalt lot adjacent to Danehy Park near the Fresh Pond reservoir, Fresh Pond shopping areas, and public transit.   


New Construction: 

  • 106 affordable units 
  • Approximately 3,000 square feet of new retail/commercial space
  • Improved site connectivity to Danehy park
  • Transformation of the site to residential use

  • 52 New Street Entrance - Rendering

    Building and Site Rendering

  • 52 New Street Rendering

    52 New Street Rendering

  • 52 New Street Rendering

    52 New Street Rendering

  • 52 New Street Rendering

    52 New Street Rendering