Lassel Architects designed for the adaptive reuse of this historic four-story 1800s mill building situated at the entryway to Saco, Maine. The Saco Mill #4 is a mixed-use signature property that combines the charm of the historic mill era with modern conveniences. The building was originally designed for manufacturing textiles and was abandoned in the early 1980s. The mill is now home to 150 residential units and 40,000 square feet of commercial space adjacent to public transportation stations and local businesses. Residents benefit from an in-house fitness facility, club room, community storage spaces and a rooftop deck with fireplace. The units feature over-sized windows, 14-foot timber ceilings and exposed brick and beams that accentuate the building’s historic significance. More than 200 parking spaces are adjacent to the building and businesses benefit from great visibility along an active commuter route.
The Saco Mill #4 is featured on the National Registrar of Historic Places.
The list of COTE (AIA Committee on the Environment) items was created to help understand how a project meets the needs of users and how it impacts the environment. The list focuses on best practices and high impact strategies for creating healthy places to live and work. Here are some ways this project measures up to the COTE list:
Community
The mill redevelopment provides walkability to nearby restaurants and businesses and the Saco Train Station is next door. This provides alternative transportation to Portland and Boston on the Amtrak train. Within the building, social spaces are provided for residents with a gym, a community room, and a roof top deck.
Wellness
Large factory building windows provide ample light for the living spaces. An open stair at the entrance encourages the use of stairs over the elevator.
Resources
Reuse of buildings provides a great savings in the amount of resources used. Existing wood ceilings and exposed brick walls were left as interior finishes. No vinyl coverings were used on top of lightweight concrete flooring.
Structural JSN Associates
MEP/FP CSI Engineering
Civil Oak Consulting Group
Contractor Chinburg Builders
Stats
Cost $28 million
Size 250,000 square feet
Units 150 Apartments, 30,000 square feet of commercial space and 50 car indoor parking
