Holyoke, MA Developers at Wollaston Real Estate Investments, Alex Cwiakala and Harrison Bonner, are undertaking a remarkable transformation, turning the city’s first skyscraper, located at 276 High St., into a vibrant hub for art and entertainment. Constructed in 1906 by J.R Smith Co., it is set to bring new life to downtown. 

The vision for the revitalization project includes a variety of uses for the different floors of the eight-story building. The first floor will feature a new American tapas restaurant with a nightlife component, offering a dynamic dining and entertainment experience. The second and third floors will be dedicated to flexible office and maker spaces, fostering creativity and entrepreneurship within the community. 

From the third to the seventh floor, the building will house four apartments per floor, providing comfortable and modern living spaces. The eighth floor will feature four loft-style apartments, offering a unique urban living experience with stunning views of the city. Leading the architectural design of the project are Peter Bartash and Talia Cannistra of PortOne Co., based in Boston. 

The project will showcase an impressive 18 ft. tall mural within the restaurant, designed to enhance the artistic atmosphere while creating a nightlife experience with lighting and sound equipment. This is all done to ensure a Boston-level entertainment ambiance once the dinner service concludes for the evening. The revitalization efforts for the entire building are estimated to take 24-30 months. Given the eight-story height of the skyscraper, planning and execution are required to bring this vision to life. Once completed, the project will not only revive the building’s former glory but also eliminate years of vacancy. 

“We are proud to be part of this transformative project that will breathe new life into Holyoke’s historic skyscraper,” said Alex Cwiakala, co-developer at Wollaston Real Estate Investments. “Our vision is to create a vibrant destination that celebrates art, culture, and community.”

The developers welcome inquiries and interview requests further to discuss the revival of Holyoke’s historic skyscraper.