Developer Breaks Ground on 142-Unit Mixed-Use Building in Watertown Square

WATERTOWN, MA – A significant mixed-use development officially broke ground this month in Watertown Square. Developer O’Connor Group, joined by city officials on November 19, marked the start of construction on the five-story, 190,000-square-foot project at 53 Pleasant Street, abutting Main Street. The development will include 142 rental units, 15% of which are designated as affordable housing for households earning 65 to 80 percent of the median income.

The project also features the renovation of an 1890s row house into five townhouse condominiums, with one reserved for affordable homeownership. Additional plans include rooftop solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and an art walk connecting Main Street to Pleasant Street and the Charles River Walk. The project is designed to meet Passive House sustainability standards, emphasizing energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

The building will include a range of amenities, such as a hotel-style lobby, coworking spaces, a gym, a pet spa, bike storage, and two rooftop terraces. The 6,500 square feet of retail space will include a restaurant and other service-oriented businesses. The Main Street Post Office, previously part of the site, is under discussion for a potential return to the new development.

Construction is being handled by Dellbrook|JKS, a Quincy-based firm with extensive experience in Passive House construction. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026, delivering what city officials and developers say will be much-needed housing and retail space to the heart of Watertown Square.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly3lwLwDBqU