Project of the Month: HDS Architecture and Callahan complete 231-unit Rumney Flats Apartments for The Dolben Company

Rumney Flats Apartments - Revere, MA

Revere, MA Rumney Flats, a 231-unit market rate luxury apartment development located at 83-93-103 Ward St., is now complete. The apartment complex is composed of three 5-story buildings. The overall unit mix includes studios, one bedroom, one bedroom plus dens and two bedroom apartment homes. Many of the units include large outdoor decks, some with spectacular views overlooking Rumney Marsh.

Hans Strauch, principal-in-charge from HDS Architecture said, “What once was a blighted and underutilized site is now an architecturally distinguished residential community.”

Rumney Flats Apartments - Revere, MA

Rumney Flats Apartments - Revere, MA

Rumney Flats Apartments - Revere, MA

Rumney Flats Apartments - Revere, MA

A modern design aesthetic permeates the interiors. The apartments have spacious open-plan layouts, in-unit washer/dryers, oversized closets and loft-height ceilings. Finishes include granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile floors and showers in the bathrooms.

Apartment leasing is ahead of schedule. “The design and efficiency of the units has exceeded the expectations of our client,” said Strauch. Community amenities include a 24/7 fully equipped fitness center, resident clubroom, billiard room and entertainment area.

The project architect was HDS Architecture of Cambridge. HDS, founded in 1989 by Strauch, specializes in the design of residential, retail, office and mixed-use developments. HDS is currently designing residential communities in Boston, Brookline, Everett, Woburn, Gloucester and Salem, N.H.

Rumney Flats Apartments - Revere, MA

The general contractor on the project was Callahan, Inc., a full service construction firm which specializes in construction management and preconstruction. The company’s experience includes retail, multi-family, education, corporate, industrial, and historic preservation and rehabilitation projects. Callahan has extensive experience in commercial construction industry and has worked with many large New England developers and property managers.

“Callahan was glad to have been selected by Dolben to become their partner on such a successful project. Although the winter of 2014/2015 presented many challenges when the project was coming out of the ground, Rumney Flats was completed on time and under budget and is a great addition to the neighborhood,” said Callahan’s project executive, David Boucher.

The owner and developer of the property is The Dolben Company, Inc., founded in 1929 to fulfill the property and investment needs of a wide array of businesses. The company is an industry leader known for developing and managing multifamily housing. The Dolben Company has developed more than 5,500 multifamily units in New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

Rumney Flats Apartments - Revere, MA

Allen & Major Associates, Inc. (A&M) provided structural engineering design, construction documents and construction administration services for the Rumney Flats. The project was designed and overseen by Benjamin Schlick, PE, LEED AP BD+C, structural department head at A&M.

Ground improvements were required due to unsuitable soil bearing capacity. A rammed aggregate pier system was utilized. The entire project was designed with conventional shallow depth strip and spread footing foundation and slab-on-grade floor construction. Wood framed bearing walls supporting wood floor and roof trusses constitute the superstructure. Fire treated lumber was used on the exterior walls and wood structural panel shear walls will be the lateral force resisting system.

Helical Drilling provided a design/build solution and installed more than 500 grouted Geopier Impact Rammed Aggregate Pier (GAP) elements to depths of 14 to 19 feet below grade to support the new structure footings. In addition, nearly 200 ungrouted Geopier Impact Rammed Aggregate Pier (RAP) elements were used to support the new structure slab-on-grade.

The project team included: • Architect: HDS Architecture • General Contractor: Callahan, Inc. • Drywall & Framing: Metro Walls • Geotechnical Design/Build: Helical Drilling • Owner/Developer: The Dolben Company • Structural Engineering: Allen & Major Associates, Inc. • Electric: Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc. • Civil Engineer: GZA • Interior Designer: TMD Designs