Forest Acres Overhaul to Change Apartment Complex’s Appearance and Name

On top of indoor and outdoor upgrades, Forest Acres can expect a name change in the coming months. (Alex Guittarr photograph for WHAV News.)

Bradford’s Forest Acres apartment complex is getting some major upgrades after being purchased by new owners.

The 45-year old apartment complex, now owned by Lowell-based Princeton Properties, is working through a three-year capital plan that will see the complex’s 49 buildings—410 units—and various facilities receives interior and exterior upgrades. The complex will also have its name changed to “Princeton Bradford” during this process.

According to Princeton Properties’ Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Greenough, the company was hired by San Francisco’s Belveron Capital last July to manage the property and were given minority ownership. Construction began early last spring.

Much attention has been given to repairing the exteriors of the buildings, with a focus on new siding and deferred maintenance issues like water infiltration and structural rotting, Greenough told WHAV. Many of the one, two and three-bedroom apartments will see aesthetic changes to room colors, carpeting and lighting, as well as new kitchen layouts. Greenough says the upgrades also implement Energy Star and water saving programs and LED lighting to reduce energy impact.

Greenough says residents are looking forward to the changes and especially welcome upgrades to the community basketball and tennis courts and pool area. A new fitness center will also be unveiled through Princeton’s overhaul. The complex is currently at 98 percent capacity.

Greenough tells WHAV Princeton Properties—who also manages apartment complexes in Andover and Methuen—hopes to inject life back into the community.

“If you read the history of the property, it had such a wonderful communal spirit years ago when it first was conceptualized. It had all sorts of community events and it had a really nice resident base. And so, we are trying to bring it back to life,” Greenough said.

The project, that carries a $6 million price tag, is expected to be completed by early 2020.