Erland Begins Work on Two Pattern District Residential Projects, Totaling 413k SF

• Erland Construction has started work on two residential projects within Northland’s 23-acre Pattern District redevelopment in Newton Upper Falls.
• The projects will deliver 220 apartments through the restoration of the historic Saco Pettee Mill and the construction of a new mixed-use residential building.
• The 173,000-square-foot Saco Pettee Mill will be converted into 100 luxury apartments while preserving its historic brick-and-beam character.
• The new 240,000-square-foot Building 4 will include 120 apartments, future ground-floor retail space and below-grade parking.
• Pattern District is planned to include 822 rental homes, including 145 affordable units, along with retail, open space and community amenities.

What the Saco Pettee Mill Restoration Includes

Erland Construction is moving forward with the adaptive reuse of the historic Saco Pettee Mill in Newton Upper Falls. The 173,000-square-foot former industrial property will be transformed into 100 luxury apartments while retaining many of the features that define the building’s history. Restoration work will follow National Park Service standards and include extensive masonry repointing, historic window replacement and preservation of the mill’s brick-and-beam character. The project will also require major building upgrades, including new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems. Plans call for a roof replacement, structural reinforcement, selective demolition, environmental abatement and a comprehensive interior build-out. Residents will have access to a wellness suite, fitness center, lounge and game room. The design is intended to introduce modern residential amenities while keeping the mill’s industrial identity visible throughout the property.

What Building 4 Will Add to the Neighborhood

Erland is also constructing Building 4, a new 240,000-square-foot mixed-use development with 120 apartments and future retail space on the ground floor. The retail component will open directly onto the Village Green, helping connect the building with Pattern District’s planned public spaces and walkable neighborhood layout. Building 4 will feature a post-tensioned concrete structure supporting below-grade parking and ground-floor retail. A steel-framed residential structure will rise above the building’s lower levels. The project is being designed and constructed to pursue both Passive House and LEED certifications. Planned sustainability features include a high-performance building envelope, energy-efficient mechanical systems, stormwater management infrastructure and low-impact development practices.

What the Two Projects Will Deliver

Together, the Saco Pettee Mill redevelopment and Building 4 will add 220 rental homes to Pattern District. The projects represent two different approaches to residential development. The mill restoration focuses on preserving and reusing a historic industrial property, while Building 4 will introduce newly constructed housing, retail space and high-performance building systems. Erland Construction is working with Northland and architecture and design firm CUBE 3 on both developments. The projects are intended to combine historic preservation, modern housing and sustainable construction within a connected mixed-use district.

What Pattern District Will Include

Pattern District is a 23-acre mixed-use redevelopment planned for Newton Upper Falls. At full buildout, the neighborhood will provide 822 rental homes, including 145 affordable units. Plans also include retail destinations, public open space, green areas and community amenities designed to support a walkable neighborhood. Northland expects the development to become one of the largest privately funded Passive House communities in the United States. The broader project is designed around energy efficiency, environmental performance and connections between housing, businesses and shared outdoor spaces.

What the Projects Mean for Newton Upper Falls

The restoration of the Saco Pettee Mill will preserve an important piece of the area’s industrial history while introducing new housing and resident amenities. Building 4 will complement that work with new apartments, future retail space and sustainable construction designed around Passive House and LEED standards. The two projects advance Pattern District’s larger goal of creating a mixed-use neighborhood where housing, retail, green space and community amenities are connected through a walkable setting. Building 1 and Building 4 are Erland Construction’s second and third projects with Northland, continuing a partnership focused on delivering residential and mixed-use development within the district.