New 83-unit affordable-housing complex opens in the Canal District. Take a look inside

WORCESTER — On the same grounds where Table Talk Pies once did business for more than 100 years, since May tenants have been walking in and out of an 83-unit affordable-housing apartment building known as District 120.

Soaring up by Polar Park with seven floors, the fresh new building is the latest development that during a Tuesday gathering of city officials, Manager Eric D. Batista called “part of the continuous transformation" of the Canal District.

Batista was among other officials who toured the L-shaped building less than two years after ground was broken off Washington Street to kick-start the first phase of a multipart project by Boston-based developer Tremont Development Partners.

“This development is vital,” said Batista. “Our goal is to ensure equitable opportunities for residents to live in this flourishing neighborhood of the Canal District and also across Worcester.

“Even more critically this addition of affordable housing for individuals and families is needed now more than ever as we face a housing crisis across the country.”

The completion of District 120 marks the end of a three-phase project, originally the brainchild of Boston Capital, a developer that bought the former Table Talk Pies property in January 2022 for $4.55 million with the intent to develop it into housing.

Rich Mazzocchi, formerly the general manager of Boston Capital, took over the property and the project as principal of Tremont in July 2023.

The 83 units at District 120 were assigned on a lottery basis to applicants, according to Senior Property Manager Hector Gomez of Maloney Properties, who said the management received over 750 applications.

Mazzocchi cited the number when he spoke Tuesday about the need for affordable housing.

“If that doesn't demonstrate the demand and the critical need for affordable housing, I don't know what does,” said Mazzocchi. “To be able to provide those 83 homes to families in need is something we should all be proud of.

“I have gotten to know a few of the residents over the past month or so, just to see the positive impact on families, parents, children and households a stable, quality place to live at an affordable rate is pretty amazing.”

Located at 120 Washington St., the building’s units are scattered across seven stories, with the ground floor housing two community rooms, a gym and a bicycle storage room, among other amenities.

The building has six studios, 28 one-bedroom units, 44 two-bedroom units and five three-bedroom units.

Of the 83 units, 55 have already been moved into since May, Gomez said.

With affordable housing at the focal point of the project, 69 of the units have been reserved for residents who fall at or below the 60% area median income, while 14 are reserved for residents who fall at or below the 30% area median income, according to numbers provided by Gomez.

As far as rents go, Gomez said that studios are set at $1,100, while the one-bedroom units are set at $1,150. Two-bedroom units are set at $1,359 each while three-bedroom units are set at $1,559.

During Tuesday’s gathering, State Sen. Michael O. Moore of Worcester touted the development, even awarding a state citation for the project to Mazzocchi.

“As the city grows and we see more economic opportunities, more income, we also see people making middle-to-low income having to leave,” said Moore. “That's not what the city of Worcester is about.

“This community is about keeping people here, those who were born and raised and want to stay here and these 83 units are going to allow that.”

Among other officials on Tuesday were also Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Edward M. Augustus Jr.

Worcester’s city manager until May 2022 , Augustus took part in the planning process for the project.

“We worked closely on keeping Table Talk in Worcester and creating the opportunity for Rich and his amazing team to come in and create a vision to add housing,” said Augustus. “And we talked about this — the first building had to be affordable.

“For 83 units there were 750 applications. The demand is there (and) people are going to have beautiful, safe, dignified homes.”

Since selling the land, Table Talk has dished out its pies at a location on Gardner Street. Last month the company was sold to Minneapolis-based Rise Baking Co.

When the former Table Talk Pies grounds were purchased by Boston Capital in 2022, phase two of the multistep project consisted of redeveloping the Green Street building, also known as the headquarters of the famous pie makers, into a mixed development.

Plans have since been reimagined by Anthony Rossi, who since his acquisition of the property in May 2023 is developing the building into 53 units , also adding three floors .

Mazzocchi, who since July 2023 parted with former parent company Boston Capital, has formerly said that plans for phase three — a portion of land north of the property abutting Ash Street — would be turned into 300 market-rate units.

Tuesday, he said that phase is still in the planning stages.

A stone’s throw from District 120, other developments have been part of the Canal District revitalization vision.

The Revington, a 228-unit market-rate apartment building on Madison Street, was completed in late 2023 , while The Cove, a 171-apartment unit building on Green Street is expected to wrap up later this year .

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This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: New 83-unit affordable-housing complex opens in the Canal District. Take a look inside