Business & Tech
Cottages on Greene Recognized by the Congress for the New Urbanism
Success in a tough real estate market generates interest.
The development has garnered an honorable mention award from the Congress for the New Urbanism for what its website calls the project’s principles of “walkability, sustainability and exemplary design.”
Project architect Donald Powers said that, personally, being included in CNU’s Charter Awards is the most important award he has received. The nine award-winning projects and nine honorable mentions will be highlighted at the 19th annual CNU this June in Madison, Wisc.
Located on Greene Street, behind the CVS on Main Street, the 15 cottages are built around a courtyard to encourage neighborly interaction according to Powers and they were conceived of as the “anti-condominium.”
Designed to look like small houses rather than traditional apartments or townhouses, the homes have had major appeal to those who like the sense of community and easy walking access to nearby businesses.
Powers, a principal in Donald Powers Architects, Inc., had the idea for a unique high-density project acceptable to the community in mind for a long time and saw opportunity when the land came on the market.
Lennie and David Iannuccilli of acquired the property and originally designed it as a business courtyard, but that was sidelined by the changing economy. Powers then approached them with his idea and became a minority partner in the project.
Ten of the 15 units have been sold and several more are under contract. That success rate in a tough economy has a lot of people looking at the project to determine why it has been successful.
Powers has repeated the design in Concord, Mass., with a 13-cottage project, half of which have been sold.
He is also working with local developer Joe Zenga on a in the area around the Legion Hall on Main Street. Because it is a larger piece of property, it may include something like town houses, apartments and some retail space.
The Congress for the New Urbanism is described as the leading organization promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.