By the end of this month, visitors to Haverhill’s Washington Street Historic District will find a new street level storefront and 24 loft-style apartments ready to be occupied.
Dave Traggorth gives a tour of one of the new apartments. (WHAV News photograph.)
Developer David Traggorth was on hand Tuesday for the ribbon cutting at 87 Washington Street—site of the former Al Forno restaurant and now known as the Granville—to hail the opening of the new market rate apartments. As he explains, it’s not Traggorth’s first project in Haverhill.
“For those of you who know JM Lofts just down the way we’ve seen that over these past couple years as far as what these projects can do for Washington Street, for Haverhill, and for the Commonwealth in terms of showing what small businesses can do, showing what market rehousing in cities can do, and we’re really proud to be a part of it.”
Traggorth previously developed the 18-unit JM Lofts project at the former Surplus Office Supply building in 2016.
Acknowledging the fact that “without municipal support, these projects don’t happen,” Traggorth introduced representatives from financing and development, as well as members of city government and state legislators.
Mayor James J. Fiorentini was in attendance, and made a point to express his gratitude for the potential of a thriving downtown, and for what this new development has brought to Haverhill so far. “And on behalf of the City, I want to thank you, for your investment, for the jobs you’ve provided, for the places for people to live.”
In expressing his thanks for the “team effort of multiple stakeholders in the revival of downtown,” and assuring those in attendance he wouldn’t take up much of their time, state Rep. Andy X. Vargas summed up his thoughts on The Granville.
“This project really has the big three. It has, first and foremost, transit-oriented development; we’ve got a train right there to provide access to good jobs for the folks that live in this building. It’s got historic preservation, and it’s got a socially conscious and responsible developer that’s willing to invest in this community,” Vargas said.
Attendees were then given a tour of a third-floor model unit, before enjoying refreshments next door at Barking Dog Ale House. The Granville will house 24 loft-style apartments, listed from $1,530 to $1,950), and more than 3,000 square feet of retail space.