The development is the largest office-to-residential conversion project to be approved by the board.
18 High-Profile Focus: Multi-Residential April 2026
Nauset Completes Extensive Renovation of Forte at 1440 Beacon
Brookline, MA – Nauset Construction recently completed the extensive renovation of Forte at 1440 Beacon, a 136- unit luxury apartment community owned and operated by Wingate Multifamily, LLC, an affiliate of Wingate Companies.
Situated in Brookline’ s Coolidge Corner neighborhood, the renovation encompassed comprehensive upgrades to the lobby, common areas, exterior, and MEP systems, breathing new life into the property originally built in 1949. Forte at 1440 Beacon has been honored with the“ Renovated Community of the Year Award” by the Massachusetts Apartment Association( MAA).
“ Our goal when we purchased 1440 Beacon in 2022 was to bring this property fully into the 21st century while minimizing any disruption to our residents,” said Michael Siciliano, senior vice president of acquisitions for Wingate Companies.“ Nauset’ s experience working within an occupied building while completing the extensive upgrades was critical to the project’ s success. The new lobby, amenities, and transformed exterior firmly position Forte at 1440 Beacon as one of the premier luxury apartment communities in the area.”
Designed by Dario Designs, now part of Haley Ward, the renovation included a significant expansion and aesthetic upgrade of the front lobby. Nauset constructed a grand entranceway clad in custom black granite, a lighted canopy, and an ADA-accessible ramp leading into the new lobby. To enhance curb appeal and bring natural light into the lobby area, seven large bay windows were installed in the building’ s facade. The reimagined lobby space includes new staff offices and bathrooms, a kitchenette for residents and guests, a fireplace, and a function / conference room with a large-screen TV and seating area, all featuring high-end finishes. Resident amenities were further enhanced with a dedicated parcel and
Forte at 1440 Beacon / Photos courtesy of RDJA
mail room, a new fitness center, laundry facility, and a pet-washing station.
On the lower levels, Nauset installed storage cages, bike storage, and a workstation for residents, as well as a new kitchen and storage areas for maintenance staff. At the rear of the building, Nauset completely revamped the courtyard, installing a custom wood pergola, two high-end custom grill stations with sinks, a gas fire pit, and decorative lighting, along
with high-end outdoor furniture. A large garden bed, approximately 200 feet long, was extensively planted with small trees, shrubs, and ground cover, and a customcrafted privacy screen was installed around the entire patio perimeter. Nauset also completely upgraded the mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems, as well as structural elements, including reinforcing concrete and masonry.
“ This comprehensive renovation in a fully occupied building required careful planning and coordination with our partner, Wingate, to meet residents’ needs and minimize disruptions,” said Anthony Papantonis, president of Nauset Construction.“ Our team is proud to have successfully executed Wingate’ s vision, delivering modern, functional spaces without compromising the resident experience. The MAA’ s‘ Renovated Community of the Year Award’ validates the high standards achieved by the entire project team.”
Boston’ s Planning Department Advances Office-to-Residential Conversion
Boston – Boston’ s Planning Department recently recommended approval of a new office-to-residential conversion project representing approximately 219,200sf to the BPDA board. The approved project is the largest office-to-residential conversion project to be approved by the board.
Located in the heart of Downtown Crossing, the project at 280-300 Washington Street will convert vacant office space into 255 new homes, 52 of which will be income-restricted, and will retain existing retail space on the ground floor. Due to updated zoning regulations downtown, the project will not require zoning relief, allowing these new homes to be completed more quickly. This project is one of 24 applicants to Mayor Michelle Wu’ s Office-to-Residential Conversion Program, which is on track to convert 29 buildings and 1.5 million sq. ft. of empty office space into more than 1,700 new homes downtown.
Mayor Wu and Chief of Planning
The development is the largest office-to-residential conversion project to be approved by the board.
Kairos Shen also marked Dr. Ted Landsmark’ s retirement from the BPDA board and celebrated his tenure. Landsmark joined the board in September 2014 and is currently the longest serving board member.“ Ted Landsmark’ s influence can be seen not only in the city’ s growth and its skyline, but in the generations of planners, architects, and advocates he has mentored,” said Wu.“ We are grateful to Dr. Landsmark for his years of public service and for pushing Boston to live up to its promise of being a home for everyone.”
280-300 Washington Street www. high-profile. com