| 
Image courtesy of Salem planning department and Cube3
Winn Development is seeking approval for 120 units of mixed-income housing in Salem while it studies potential uses for the second phase of the Exchange Salem project at a former courthouse and county commissioners’ building.
The Boston-based developer was chosen in 2020 to redevelop the 32 and 34 Federal St. project, including a parking lot and adaptive reuse of the two historic buildings for a potential hotel and retail space.
“This is a gateway project,” said Adam Stein, executive vice president for Winn Development. “As you drive into Salem, this is the first building you see and it sets the tone for the city.”
The Salem Redevelopment Authority picked Winn Development’s proposal in 2020 for the redevelopment project for the site, located next to the city’s MBTA commuter rail station. A seven-story residential building designed by Cube3 Architects would be built on the parking lot at 252 Bridge St., which is owned by the redevelopment authority. Specific income ratios have not been determined, although the unit mix will likely include 40 percent affordable units, 30 percent market-rate units and 30 percent that are workforce housing level, Stein said.
Winn Development continues to study its options for 50,000 square feet of space in the former courthouse and county commissioners’ buildings, which have historical protections preventing demolition. The layout of the buildings – including former courtrooms, judges’ chambers and law library – drives the potential reuse options.
“We’re wedded to a mix of public realm uses, but there are things we’re working through,” Stein said.
Developers originally considered a boutique hotel for part of the commercial segment, but are waiting for more clarity on the recovery of the hospitality industry from the COVID epidemic, Stein said.
“We’ve always held out that if things change, a hotel would be a nice option,” he said. Developers also are considering retail and restaurant uses.
The Salem planning board will begin its review of the project in June.
