EASTHAMPTON — Another 15 apartments are on deck to be built in the mill district on Pleasant Street, the latest set of housing units to be added to the city’s growing list of developments.
The units are planned for the fourth floor of the mill building at 142 Pleasant St., known as The BrickYard. The building is owned by a partnership called Kehper LLC, and managing partner James Witmer said the apartments are currently planned to be listed below market rate. Witmer owns multiple other mill buildings as well.
“Right now, we are seeking to develop the fourth floor from its partially vacant, partially about to be unoccupied section, which was essentially warehousing, and break it into 15 individual residential units,” Witmer said at a recent Planning Board meeting.
Kehper’s special permit passed the Planning Board smoothly at its Sept. 15 meeting, giving the green light for renovation. Witmer said the building is often known for housing the Abandoned Building Brewery, but it is also home to multiple other businesses.
Besides the apartments themselves, other construction that will take place includes installing two new stair towers to accommodate tenants, and some piping work. There is currently an elevator in the building that will connect to the apartments.
While 15 apartments are planned, Witmer said the total could be dropped to 14 to provide extra space. Witmer described the apartments as starter units.
“These apartments are going to be relatively small, very modest apartments, good for first-time renters,” Witmer said in an interview.
Witmer said demolition and floor work are planned to happen this winter, and he hopes to get tenants into the apartments next year. Because the building’s structure is already in place, only renovations are needed, he said.
No new parking spaces will be added since there are more than 80 spots available in the front of the building and city ordinances do not require mill buildings to implement additional spots, if not necessary.
Witmer took ownership of the building in 2006, and said it has always been a goal to build apartments there.
“Honestly, we’ve kind of always been wanting to do this but time and happenstances have distracted us or we’ve had other priorities,” Witmer said.
There are apartments in some of the other mill buildings as well, including Eastworks and the Ferry Street Development. The area has been a target of redevelopment by city officials for years, marked by the release of the Pleasant Street Mills District Improvement Plan under former Mayor Nicole LaChapelle in March 2024.
The plan noted that the mill area, underutilized some 20 years ago, has evolved into a hub of activity that draws visitors. It focuses on improving wayfinding and includes recommendations to improve parking, accessibility and other aspects of the district.
Witmer said he and his partners are pleased to be able to add housing to a growing area in the city.
