Meetinghouse Lofts is a 19-unit residential condominium project at 341 Pine Street in South Portland, Maine completed in 2016 by Developer Ethan Boxer-Macomber of Anew Development.
Meetinghouse Lofts was created through the adaptive reuse of the former Roosevelt School; a John Calvin Stevens designed schoolhouse built in 1926. Roosevelt School served generations of South Portland school children until it was decommissioned in 1983. Roosevelt was then operated as the private Sprurwink School until 2013.
In 2013, the City of South Portland solicited developers to redevelop the property and selected Anew Development. Anew’s plan called for gut rehabilitating the existing +/- 12,000 s.f building and adding a +/- 12,000 s.f., three-story addition. Anew’s comprehensive redevelopment plan included careful thought and attention to such considerations as, sustainability, historic preservation, economic development, smart growth, and quality architectural and urban design.
Units at Meetinghouse Lofts range from 950 s.f. one-bedroom to 1,150 two-bedroom units and feature such amenities as 12’ -14’ ceilings, quality, modern finishes, fixtures and equipment, storage units, balconies and patios, covered parking, and a commercial grade onsite fitness center.
The very talented and all local project team included PDT Architects, Carroll Associates, Ransom Consulting, Nancy Field / Keller Williams Realty, Bangor Savings Bank, the Law Offices of Kelley, Remmel, & Zimmerman, and Zachau Construction.
Anew Development and the whole project team are extremely pleased with the many positive outcomes of the project. The City of South Portland was able to convert a blighted, vacant liability into a beautiful, new, tax generating property. Residents of the neighborhood appreciated the project’s positive effect on property values and neighborhood quality. Dozens of Southern Maine design, planning, finance and construction related businesses benefited from over $5MM in contract activity and dozens of area businesses in this amenity rich, walkable neighborhood have benefited from increased foot traffic.
Perhaps most importantly, 19-households came newly together to form what has since coalesced into and remarkably close, cohesive, and supportive community.
Meetinghouse Lofts is the recipient of 2016 historic preservation awards from both Greater Portland Landmarks and Maine Preservation as well a 2016 Top 10 Notable Projects Award from the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA).
