TEMPLETON — Capstone Communities and MPZ Development recently celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Baldwinville School Apartments.
The Oct. 20 event marked the official delivery of the first multi-family housing project in town in more than 25 years, providing much needed mixed-income housing to the local community.
“We are pleased to celebrate the opening of the Baldwinville School Apartments and are especially glad that many Templeton residents will be able to call it home,” Templeton Select Board Chair Jeffrey Bennett stated. “This project preserves an important part of our town’s history while providing new opportunities for local residents to remain in the community they know and love. On behalf of the Templeton Select Board, we thank everyone who helped bring this project to life.”
The project has transformed the historic Baldwinville Elementary School into 54 rental apartments, 49 of which are affordable for households earning at or below 30 to 60% of the area median income.
“Access to affordable housing is essential to building strong, vibrant communities,” Congressman Jim McGovern said. “The Baldwinville School Apartments will make a real difference for families in Templeton, providing 54 new homes while preserving an important piece of the town’s history. At a time when so many people are struggling to find a home they can afford, this is exactly the kind of investment our communities need. I’m grateful to everyone who helped make this possible.”
MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay had similar thoughts.
“MassHousing is excited for the residents who have brand new apartment homes resulting from the redevelopment of the former Baldwinville School,” she said. “We were pleased to partner with Capstone Communities and MPZ Development to take a historic property no longer serving as a school and create new rental housing for residents with a range of incomes that will serve the community for many years to come.”
Designed by ICON Architecture, the Baldwinville School Apartments project revitalized the historic school and introduced a new addition that will be certified under Enterprise Green Communities and Passive House standards. The apartments are available in several layouts and sizes including loft, studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom, many of which are rehabilitated from the original elementary school.
“It is fantastic to see vitality returned to the former Baldwinville Elementary School,” Director of Rural Affairs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Anne Gobi shared. “The care and attention to detail that Capstone and MPZ provided has resulted in housing that blends with the character of the town and retains many of the historical features of the school with the addition of new units and amenities. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is proud to be a partner in supporting new housing, especially in rural areas.”
Callahan Construction Managers served as the project’s general contractor and the first residents began moving in early October.
“For generations, the Baldwinville Elementary School was a place of learning and connection. Today, it begins a new chapter as a place to call home,” said Jason Korb, principal of Capstone Communities, and Mathieu P. Zahler, principal of MPZ Development. “Baldwinville School Apartments preserves an important part of Templeton’s history while creating much needed affordable homes where residents can build their futures. This milestone reflects years of collaboration and the commitment of our local and state partners. We are proud to welcome residents whose lives and experiences will shape this community for years to come.”
The affordable housing lottery for Baldwinville School Apartments attracted more than 900 applicants, reflecting strong demand for housing in the area.
“We’re working hard to build more homes and create more affordable places to live across the state,” said Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Juana Matias. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration was proud to support the historic preservation and transformation of the Baldwinville school into 54 new homes. Congratulations to the town and local leaders on this achievement.”
Managed by Peabody Properties, the community offers numerous on-site amenities to residents, including an outdoor courtyard and community green space, children’s playground, fitness center, electric-vehicle charging stations, in-building laundry, and a community walking trail leading to an overlook of the Otter River.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Capstone Communities and MPZ Development on the Baldwinville School Apartments,” said Melissa Fish Crane, Principal and CEO of Peabody Properties. “It’s always special to give a meaningful and historic building a new purpose, and the thoughtful design of this new community truly stands out for its architecture, amenities, and location.”
Capstone and MPZ secured financing from both public and private partners to make the Baldwinville School Apartments project possible. Financing was provided by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, MassHousing, Rockland Trust, National Equity Fund, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, The Life Initiative, and Dorfman Capital. Capstone and MPZ also were awarded $1.924 million in funding for Baldwinville School Apartments through the Community Preservation Act via Templeton’s Community Preservation Committee as well as $750,000 through the Underutilized Properties Program via the Commonwealth’s Community One Stop for Growth awards, administered by MassDevelopment.
“I remember the groundbreaking for this project in June of 2025 and trying to imagine how it would look when it was done,” State Sen. Peter Durant, R-Spencer, said. “I’m excited to see the completed project. MPZ Development LLC and Capstone Communities LLC have brought a thoughtful building reuse project to this former school, transforming it into the town’s first multi-family apartment project in decades; a much-needed asset in today’s housing climate.”
MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal echoed his sentiments, calling it a “forward-thinking project by Capstone Communities and MPZ Development.”
“MassDevelopment proudly supported the Baldwinville School Apartments with a $750,000 grant from the Underutilized Properties Program and an approximately $50,000 loan from the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, two state programs that advance housing, commercial development, and more by breathing new life into underused sites,” Bal divulged.
For more information visit baldwinvilleschoolapts.com.
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