Development Project

231-249 Elm St. & 6-8 + 12 Grove St.

Multiple local businesses closed their Elm St. doors in advance of Scape's plan to build lab space over those buildings, which stalled following resident backlash and changing economics. We are excited to work with Copper Mill to build much-needed housing over that property while maintaining the local shops and restaurants that give the square its distinct character!

Currently, they have proposed a 26-story building with ≈10 commercial spaces on the ground floor and 502 residential units on the upper floors. (See the timeline below for information about earlier proposals.)

This block is currently home to The Burren, Martsa On Elm, McKinnon's Meat Market, Ten One Tea House, Veggie Indian Palace, and Dragon Pizza.

Until recently, it was also home to When Pigs Fly (relocated down the street), Sligo Pub (closed), and Caramel French Patisserie (closed its local location).

Information

🚦 Status: Filed 40B application letter (application to bypass local zoning) with MassHousing and City of Somerville

📍 231-249 Elm St. & 6-8 & 12 Grove St.

🏢 Copper Mill

↕️ 26 Stories

🚗 No additional off-street parking

🚲 Indoor bike room on floor 2

Resources

📂 DSNC project folder

📄 Community Meeting Notes

History

2019

Scape proposed a new building with approximately 250 units of housing and retail on the ground floor. Community perception was the housing would primarily be targeted at Tufts students. Scape said they intended to retain The Burren, but demolish and rebuild the rest of the block through Dragon Pizza. (📰)

2022

Caramel French Patisserie closed in May, citing “The building we are located in, is under new management and the plans no longer allow us to operate.” (📃)
In August, Scape announced a pivot to a 4-story building with lab space on the upper floors. (📰)
At the Ward 6 community meeting, the City confirmed it was approving Scape's plans. A hand-raise poll of attendees showed the majority were unaware of the new plans prior to that meeting.

2023

Sligo Pub closed in June. (📰)

2024

Some of the same people, having parted ways with Scape, kicked off a series of community meetings in October to hear what the community wants in that space. Community attendees were overwhelmingly in favor of housing.
In December, they presented a 25-story concept with, ≈10 commercial spaces on the ground floor, ≈250 residential units on the upper floors, and an underground parking garage. Community responses ranged from support, to requests for something in between the current 4-story zoning and the 25-story proposal, to strong opposition to anything over the City's current 4-story restriction.

2025

Copper Mill hosted an additional community meeting in February, in which they offered concessions of outdoor pedestrian space and free retail space for the City, and listed new and returning businesses they were in discussions with. They didn't bring any potential compromises on building height.
Copper Mill sent a letter to the state in December requesting eligibility to use MGL Chapter 40B to supersede local zoning. Ward 6 councilor Lance Davis and Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) Executive Director Tom Galligani informed the DSNC of it at our December general meeting (January 5th, 2026 due to the holidays).

2026

DSNC President Elaine Almquist obtained a copy of the 40B submission from OSPCD on January 8th. It included more thorough details about the updated building plan dated July 15th, 2025. Changes included an increase to 26 stories, an increase to 502 residential units, and removal of all off-street parking. (💬, 📄)
In early January, Copper Mill also contacted President Almquist to request a meeting. At time of writing, the DSNC Board aims to schedule that meeting prior to the January DSNC general meeting. (💬)

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