Renting an apartment over a Boston library seems to be like a dream, but how about life about court halls full of criminal accused?
The 23 million dollar proposal by a Boston developer to move the existing courthouse in South Boston to a free 77-year-old bank building on West Broadway will be up for discussion at a public meeting next week.
When approved, the old South Boston Saving Bank on the 460 West Broadway could be the new home for the South Boston Division of the Boston Municipal Court, which is currently located in the courthouse on 535 East Broadway.
The South Boston Division of the Boston Municipal Court on March 4, 2025 on 535 East Broadway.(Irene Rotondo)
Cedarwood Development, LLC estimates that the proposed building on the 11,858 square foot land for the 23 -million dollar project will begin by the end of 2025 and end until 2027.
The existing courthouse in South Boston on the 535 East Broadway needs “significant renovation work”, which the Commonwealth could cost 60 million US dollars, and “no longer fulfills the needs of the court”, wrote the court in Massachusetts in his project proposal for the relocation.
Cedarwood described the current courthouse in South Boston in his application “aging” and said that West Broadway was “probably the most suitable location in South Boston for a legal use”, since East Broadway “is more of more residential buildings in character”.
Live in a courthouse?
With columns in the courthouse and a circular clock in the facade, the former South Boston Savings Bank on West Broadway has an “institutional feeling” that Cedarwood “significantly preserved” in its renovation.
The vacant bank was built in 1948 in the classic revival style and has been bought by Cedarwood Development in the past two years. Historical property in the state is viewed in accordance with its list in the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Inventory (Macris) inventory.
Strikingly, the proposal contained a six-story vertical addition to establish the 77-year-old building as a medium structure, with the upper floor being reset from the facade in a “clean and simple design”.
The first three floors of the building would take a lobby room and two new “state-of-the-art” court halls for the use of the Court of the Commonwealth Court, as the developer's application was. In addition, there are offices for there, employees and probation workers in the proposed design.
The upper levels would contain at least 20 residential units, including several two-bedrooms, a bedroom and at least one studio unit.
Some of the living spaces would be affordable units “according to the requirements of the city of Boston”, according to the application.
The proposal also listed a roof cover together on the sixth floor together with “numerous balconies and decks”. Also listed was a “large bike room” on the floor and a moved Bluebikes station with widened sidewalks in Athens Street.
The South Boston Savings Bank (left) next to the Goodwill Store and Eastern Bank on West Broadway on March 4, 2025.(Irene Rotondo)
In order to create the separation between the residents and the courts, the developers suggested an indoor allyport or a secured and fortified entrance for accused that are brought to the courthouse.
Cedarwood Development also proposed a hallway to ground level, only for residents and a planting strip on Broadway between living and court orders.
However, the 20-point parking lot would be for residents and those who come to court.
What's next?
Cedarwood Development, LLC, submitted an application for mixed use development last month, which will be checked by the planning department of the city of Boston on March 7. David Winick and David Matteo are the main developers of the project team for private real estate development and investment company.
A virtual public meeting to discuss the application of the developer will take place on March 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with an overview presentation of the project, followed by questions and comments from the public.
The participants can register with this link.
Is this part of an affordable living space?
The concept of more living space on Boston Public Properties is nothing new – but this legal proceedings are not an official part of the city's affordable housing boost.
However, there is a similar ongoing residential project that focuses on the establishment of inexpensive city residences.
In December 2023 there was a proposal for 119 -limited apartments that were built over the West End Branch of Boston Public Library. In 2024, a declaration of intent for the project was submitted and a public session took place last month.
The South Boston Division of the Boston Municipal Court on March 4, 2025 in 535 East Broadway opposite houses.(Irene Rotondo)
The West End Library project is part of a program within Housing Housing's office with public assets from the mayor, in which he is supposed to build affordable apartments via municipal buildings such as libraries, police stations, fire department stations and parking spaces to maximize the use of these locations, a spokesman for the office said.
However, the Office for Housing was not involved in the proposed courthouse project on the 460 West Broadway, said a spokesman.
However, this does not mean that Cedarwood Development's proposal is not tailored to the goals of creating more living space, the developers claim.
“Since the demand for living space in Boston continues to increase, especially for apartment buildings, the development of the location as apartment buildings corresponds to this goal,” says the application.