Kaplan Construction begins construction on McDevitt Senior Homes - 36-units

South Boston, MA Kaplan Construction has begun construction on McDevitt Senior Homes, a 31,000 s/f adaptive reuse project that will transform the former St. Augustine’s Convent and Paraclete Center into affordable senior housing for South Boston Neighborhood Development Corp. (South Boston NDC).

Located at 207 E St., the $15.7 million project will create 35 affordable apartments for seniors, one manager’s unit, and shared resident spaces. The five-story existing building will undergo a full interior renovation and exterior restoration, and a new addition will be constructed at the rear of the property. The first floor will feature a lobby and mail room, with a sitting room on the second floor and shared laundry and lounge space on the fifth floor.

Originally built as a convent and later home to the Paraclete Center, the building will be restored to preserve its character and place within the neighborhood. The project will retain elements of the existing property such as the front yard, entrance way, and fifth floor solarium.

“For generations, the former St. Augustine’s Convent was a place of community and service,” said Donna Brown, executive director of South Boston NDC. “McDevitt Senior Homes allows us to honor that legacy by giving the building a new purpose – providing affordable homes for seniors who want to remain in South Boston. We’re grateful to Kaplan Construction and our project partners for helping us repurpose this neighborhood landmark for the community.” 

Significant structural modifications will strengthen the existing building and connect it to the new addition. New steel and wood bracing will reinforce the existing structure, while exterior restoration work will serve to maintain its existing aesthetic. Because the original building is undergoing a full gut renovation, the project team will carefully evaluate conditions uncovered during demolition and incorporate unforeseen existing conditions into the design and construction process as needed.

The project is supported by $5.145 million from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and the Community Preservation Fund and $850,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Construction began in July 2026 and is being performed under Boston Residents Jobs Policy and Section 3 labor requirements, with participation goals of 30% MBE and 10% WBE subcontracting. The project officially broke ground on Thursday, August 20, with the Mayor’s Office of Housing, South Boston NDC, Age Strong, elected officials, community partners, and residents gathering to mark the occasion.

The project team members for McDevitt Senior Homes include:

Owner: South Boston Neighborhood Development Corp.

Owner’s Representative: Jonathan Lavash Project Management

Construction Manager: Kaplan Construction

Architect: ICON Architecture

Structural Engineer: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger

MEP/FP Engineer: Wozny/Barber & Associates

Civil Engineer: Joyce Consulting Group

Landscape Architect: RBLA Design

Geotechnical Engineer: Haley & Aldrich, Inc.