Developer Dean Behrend has plans to build a three-story, 19-unit high end condo project at 592 Washington St. in Wellesley, where a funeral home once stood in a structure built in 1911. The renovation and addition to this structure would be located next to the current Belclare luxury condo complex that stands where the Wellesley Inn once operated.
The project would involve demolishing the rear buildings formerly home to an art gallery and various offices. According to architectural plans submitted to the town, the project would have underground parking (materials describe both 19 and 36 spaces, with 36 in the latest). As always, a transportation analysis done on behalf of the proponent shows there will be little traffic impact; the project would be located within reasonable walking distance of the Wellesley Square commuter rail station.
We reached out recently through Behrend’s website to ask about the 50,000 sq. ft. project but didn’t hear back.
Now information is trickling out via the town’s website, including notice of a Jan. 26 public hearing regarding a request for a special permit from the Planning Board for a project of significant impact.
Also, the applicant is set to go before the Design Review Board on Jan. 7.
According to Behrend’s pitch to the town: “This project has been carefully designed to fit seamlessly within the surrounding neighborhood. The building’s architecture, scale, and materials were selected to complement nearby homes, while underground parking eliminates the need for expansive surface lots and significantly reduces visual and traffic impact. The units will be high-quality, for-sale residences that meet the growing demand for well-designed, low-maintenance living options in Wellesley…”
We’ve seen no mention of affordable units in the materials submitted.
Behrend recently built a 40-unit apartment complex for those age 62+ on Union Street in Natick, and that does include eight affordable units.
The Swellesley Report welcomes paid public notices to help ensure broader reach.
