Shawmut Design and Construction breaks ground on first phase of major public housing redevelopment in Brockton

Brockton, MA Shawmut Design and Construction has broken ground on the first phase of the redevelopment of the Campello public housing campus. Led by the Brockton Housing Authority in partnership with the Cambridge Housing Authority, and designed by BWA Architecture, the project will transform the aging Campello campus into modern, sustainable housing designed to better serve senior and disabled residents.

Phase I includes the construction of a new seven-story residential building with 144 affordable apartments, marking the first step in a comprehensive three-phase effort to replace outdated high-rise buildings originally constructed in 1972.

“We’re proud to partner with the City of Brockton and our project collaborators to break ground on the transformational redevelopment of the Campello campus,” said Kevin Sullivan, executive vice president of Shawmut Design and Construction’s New England Region. “By leveraging our expertise in complex, occupied urban projects, we’ll ensure the construction process is seamless and that the campus remains a true extension of the community it serves.”

The Phase I building will include 143 one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment, with seven units designed for accessibility. Residents will benefit from a range of on-site amenities, including a ground-floor lounge, dedicated laundry and fitness facilities, community gathering spaces, and resident parking with electric vehicle charging stations.

Sustainability is a central component of the project. The building will feature all-electric heating and cooling systems, high-performance windows, enhanced insulation, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and solar-ready roofing. A centralized energy recovery ventilation system will support improved indoor air quality, and all appliances and lighting will meet high-efficiency Energy Star and LED standards. The project is designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities criteria.

Located along Main St., the Campello campus is within walking distance of neighborhood retail and services and approximately 0.3 miles from the MBTA Campello commuter rail station, supporting connectivity for residents and the surrounding community.

The broader redevelopment will replace two existing high-rise buildings and a single-story structure currently totaling 398 public housing units. Once complete, the campus will feature three newly constructed residential buildings with 398 replacement units, modernizing critical housing infrastructure and addressing decades of deferred capital needs.

“This will change public housing forever in Brockton,” said Thomas Thibeault, executive director of the Brockton Housing Authority. “This project represents both a celebration and a commitment—to our residents, our community, and the future of housing in Brockton.”