Leland and Suzanne DiMeco, a Mission Hill-based husband and wife development team, are planning to replace the vacant Roxbury Council Knights of Columbus building with a 40-unit, mixed-use project at 1457 Tremont St.
Suzanne DiMeco said in a phone interview the five-story building would be highly energy efficient and would consist of studio and one-bedroom apartments, geared for professionals who “work, live, and walk in Mission Hill.” She said the first floor would have a “family restaurant,” as that is what the Knights of Columbus wanted, while the tenant for the other retail space on the first floor has not been determined. There would also be community space in the basement, including a function room for the Knights of Columbus.
The project is slated to have five affordable-housing units, which is the minimum required by the City’s affordable-housing policy. DiMeco said they are looking to build “nice new housing” with “reasonable prices.” She said the exact rental prices have not been determined, as they are still early in the process. DiMeco said they hope to file a project notification form with the Boston Redevelopment Authority by the end of the month.
BRA spokesperson Gina Physic said in an email that the agency has had preliminary discussions with the development team.
“The developer of the 1457 Tremont project met with members of the BRA development review team on March 15 and May 20 of this year,” said Physic. “The project manager advised the developer on next steps, including reaching out to neighborhood groups and representatives. Based on our last communications, the developer began working with local elected officials after hearing their concerns regarding the project.”
DiMeco also stressed the energy-efficiency part of the project, saying that it would be “Passive House” certified. She said that would make it the third largest building to receive that type of certification in the country. DiMeco said that “Passive House” buildings are all over Europe and that they are more efficient than LEED-certified homes.
Mission Hill resident Alison Pultinas said in an email that the Knights of Columbus building has an interesting history. She said that the original building was built in 1897 and was designed by Jamaica Plain architect Jacob Luippold. The building was originally designed for four stores, but was remodeled in 1940 for a Stop & Shop, which closed in 1962, according to Pultinas. She said that the Roxbury Council Knights of Columbus acquired the building in 1966.
For more information about the proposed project, visit missionhillflats.com.