WinnCompanies completes $18.7 million rehabilitation of the Cobbet Hill Apartments in Lynn, MA

Lynn, MA WinnCompanies has completed a $18.7 million rehabilitation of the Cobbet Hill Apartments, renovating 117 units of affordable housing for families and seniors, creating new common areas and amenity spaces, and modernizing the building’s key systems.

Mayor Thomas McGee joined company executives to view the results of the 18-month project, which upgraded the kitchens and bathrooms in every apartment; installed new boilers and a new security system; created six new handicapped accessible apartments, a new community room and a fitness center; replaced the building’s roof; repaired plumbing and masonry; and, upgraded the electrical system.

“Cobbet Hill is an example of our commitment as a long-term owner to invest in the quality of life for residents of our affordable housing communities,” said WinnCos. CEO Gilbert Winn. “We own more than 100 properties in 11 states and the District of Columbia, including many of the apartment communities in Massachusetts that started the company nearly a half century ago.”

Since July 2014, WinnCos. has overseen the completion of more than 17 occupied rehabilitation projects – totaling 3,000 units – at its owned properties in six states and the District of Columbia, with total development costs of $335 million. The company currently has more than 360 units under rehabilitation in two states, at a cost of more than $52 million, with an additional 289 units set to undergo upgrades through 2020.

“The rehabilitation project undertaken by WinnCompanies, in partnership with MassHousing and the City of Lynn, is a key component in preserving quality affordable housing in our city,” said mayor McGee. “This project will enhance the quality of life for the residents and allow them to live in modern housing at an affordable price.”

The Cobbet Hill building was constructed in the 1930s as a public school and was converted to residential use in 1988. The property’s mechanical systems, life safety and building components were well beyond their useful life when WinnCompanies purchased the property in December 2016.

“We’re pleased with the work that’s been done here under the leadership of Vice President LeAnn Hanfield, the project manager,” said WinnDevelopment president and managing partner Larry Curtis. “The City of Lynn is an important urban anchor for the regional economy north of Boston where the availability of affordable housing is critical to the needs of so many.”

Cobbet Hill is a unique residential property in that it offers a range of bedroom sizes and affordability. There are 50 one-bedroom units, 38 two-bedroom units, 22 three-bedroom units and six four-bedroom units. Rents are restricted to at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) and at or below 60% of AMI.

MassHousing, an independent, quasi-public agency responsible for providing financing for affordable housing in Massachusetts provided construction financing for the rehabilitation. Boston Financial Investment Management provided underwriting for the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and federal historic tax credits awarded to the project. 

“MassHousing was pleased to partner with WinnCompanies and the City of Lynn to ensure that the Cobbet Hill Apartments remain an important source of affordable housing for residents in Downtown Lynn,’’ said MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay. “WinnDevelopment has an exceptional record of revitalizing historic properties like Cobbet Hill and the completion of renovations there will serve the property and its residents for many years into the future.”

WinnCompanies’ use of LIHTC financing insures that the Cobbet Hill community will remain affordable until the year 2047.

Keith Construction served as the general contractor for the work. The Architectural Team served as architect.

Cobbet Hill is managed by WinnResidential, the property management arm of WinnCompanies, which operates more than 200 apartment communities in Massachusetts, totaling more than 19,000 units across all income categories.