(Additional images below).
Developers must redesign the exterior of a new, three-story apartment building at the site of an abandoned gas station on Kenoza Avenue after Haverhill city councilors objected to the altered architectural style during Tuesday night’s meeting.
“Although now it’s code-compliant, it doesn’t look as nice as the original plan. And some councilors think it’s like night and day… If we do approve a major modification without putting some further requests and demands on you, we’re stuck with a building that looks like what that looks like for the next 100 years,” said Council President Thomas J. Sullivan.
The reimagined structure at 3-7 Kenoza Ave. still holds 14 one-bedrooms as envisioned in a special permit granted by the Council in 2023. Developers Christos Eliopoulos and John Tucci, however, returned Tuesday night after they said their architect discovered the original design was not up to code.
“Nothing has changed as far as the units, sizes—the heights we’ve actually dropped down,” Eliopoulos said. “It’s a much nicer design that we can build. We’re ready to go on it. We have our financing lined up.”
Architect Jeffrey Moretti explained the third floor, which was built into the roof in the initial schematic, was not tall enough to be habitable. His solution, however, did not pass aesthetic muster.
The first to object, Councilor Devan M. Ferreira said the back of the building looks like a “warehouse.”
“This is going to be a major change for that corner, very busy corner. This is what you’re going to see, coming and going around that bend. So, it’s significant to me to go from windows that appear to have many lights in them to smaller windows that are shorter. The architectural features are definitely changed.”
She added, the original design was “really quite an accomplishment and was very thoughtful for its placement in our neighborhood, which is historic on lots of layers.”
Ferreira and Council Vice President Timothy J. Jordan both pointed to the absurdity that the initial design made it all the way to the 2023 special permit hearing—despite the whole time being unbuildable. Ferreira called the process “broken,” Jordan “frustrating.”
Residents and members of the Universalist Unitarian Church, which is next door, voiced general disapproval about the project. Washington Street resident Cori Thurlow said, “Yes, it’s a pretty building, and, yes, that piece of property really needs to have something done with it. It’s just very, very unfortunate that, to enhance the neighborhood, they have to put a big block next to a historic building that’s already been there for over 125 years.”
As WHAV reported a little over a year ago, the developers reduced the size of the apartment building from 20 units to 14 following discussions with church members. This project has been in the works for around three years, according to Attorney Michael J. Migliori.
Eliopoulos said they’re now on a tight timeline because a MassDevelopment grant expires in June 2025. They received the state money because the lot is currently “underutilized,” Eliopoulos explained. The contamination left behind by the gas station and the triangular shape of the lot make the property difficult to develop.
Ferreira said, “Obviously, we want investment, we want more housing, we want that corner to be reinvigorated and to look beautiful, and I would be very happy to see you back in two weeks with hopefully more of these things incorporated in.”
The developers are set to return to the Council Aug. 20. If they receive approval, Eliopoulos said construction could begin this fall.
Abandoned gasoline station facing Main Street in Haverhill at the front of the lot. (WHAV News photograph.)
Front of proposed apartment building. (Courtesy rendering.)
Councilor Devan M. Ferreira said the back of the building looks like a “warehouse,” calling for changes before she would vote to approve the redesign. (Courtesy rendering.)