The Chelsea Box District. A neighborhood comes to life.

The Box District is a former industrial area located in the center of Chelsea. The neighborhood runs along Broadway, Chelsea’s main thoroughfare, and was once home to several box and mattress manufacturing companies that give the area its name. The Chelsea Public Library, City Hall Chelsea’s downtown area, Bunker Hill Community College, the Senior Center, and the YMCA are within walking distance along with the commuter rail and five bus routes making the Box District a transit-oriented residential area based on smart growth principles.

Today the Box District is a testament to the revitalization of Chelsea. After being dormant since the 1960’s when most of the neighborhood manufacturing plants closed, The Box District is becoming a vibrant part of the city. This time, it provides market-rate and affordable condominiums and rental apartments for area residents, along with plans for new green space and parks. In 2005, Chelsea Neighborhood Developers purchased the first site to realize the vision of a residential neighborhood conceived by the City over a decade ago. In just two years, 67 units have been constructed, with 65 more units underway. Ultimately, more than 300 new housing units are projected for the area.

The first development features three distinct residential components: Box Works Homes, Janus Highland Apartments and Atlas Lofts, complemented by new roads, sidewalks, lighting and trees. A prominent commercial building (the Gateway Building) at the entrance to the Box District is getting a new façade and isnow the new CND office.

The Box District represents a collaboration between public, non-profit and private-sector partners. The city of Chelsea is fully supportive of the creation of the neighborhood and is providing critical funding and infrastructure improvements in the area. Mitchell Properties, a private developer has joined CND as a partner. Mitchell Properties is creating market-rate apartments and condos to increase housing choices, in an area of Chelsea that is benefiting from increased property values. The MA Department of Housing and Community Development has provided significant subsidy and support; CND was one of the first recipients of the state’s Transit-Oriented Development funding that made the project possible.