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Monarch Lofts

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Monarch Lofts

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    Bruce Martin, Bruce T. Martin Photography

    ENERGY SAVINGS:
    The developer’s goal to conserve energy in the 1.3-million-square-foot mill helped deliver a geothermal heating and cooling system that burns no fossil fuels; Energy Star–rated appliances; low-E windows; and water-usage meters in each unit.

    COOL SPACE:
    Each of the 204 rentals offers a soaring feeling of space, with 16-foot-high ceilings, 13-by-8-foot windows, and oversized room proportions with large walk-in closets. Some units look out toward the bank of the Merrimack River.

    SALVAGED TREASURES:
    Because of its former life as a 1906 woolen mill, the building includes many original, refurbished structural elements, including Southern yellow pine ceiling beams, exposed-brick walls, steel and timber columns, and maple factory floors in the building’s public space.

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    Bruce Martin, Bruce T. Martin Photography

    GREEN SCENE:
    Monarch’s location across from a train station that runs to Boston cuts traffic. Also green: native plantings and a surface parking lot paved with recycled asphalt.

    EYE CANDY:
    In keeping with the original, tuck-pointed brick, the architects retained the original brick façade, installed new glazing in the historic windows, painted the exterior window trim with a green enamel to match the original hue, and repaired cornices.

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    Bruce Martin, Bruce T. Martin Photography

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    Bruce Martin, Bruce T. Martin Photography

PROPERTY: Monarch Lofts
LOCATION: Lawrence, Mass., 30 miles north of Boston
OPENED: October 2011
DEVELOPER: Robert D. Ansin, CEO, Massinnovation
VISION: Redevelop the mill in three phases and spur the revitalization and economic sustainability of a downtrodden city.
ARCHITECT: Finegold Alexander + Associates
RENTS: $1,015 (870-square-foot studios) to $1,620 (2,000-square-foot two-bedrooms)
COOLEST FEATURE: Volume of space in individual units to permit some mezzanines
STILL TO COME: 50 apartments plus commercial space (phase 2) before the end of 2012; (and phase 3) 300 apartments, before the end of 2013