Worcester, MA Callahan Construction Managers has completed construction of the new Poet Hill Place, a 210-unit, market-rate housing development for project owner SMC Management Corp. (SMC) in the Poet Hill neighborhood.
Located on a five-acre site on Hemans St., the project features five stories of residential living over a double-podium parking garage. The location of the project site presented challenges from the start of construction, including a dramatic slope that required Callahan’s team to oversee major sheeting and shoring operations featuring an almost 40-ft. foundation wall. Design partner Maugel DeStefano Architects utilized the slope component to create a residential courtyard on top of the parking deck that is level with Hemans St., showcasing the creativity necessary to make the natural features of the land work to the team’s advantage.
“As architects, we approached the site’s significant grade change as a defining opportunity rather than a constraint,” said Mike Kunz, principal, Maugel DeStefano Architects. “By placing the building atop the structured parking, we were able to create a residential courtyard at the podium level that connects directly to Hemans St. and activates the heart of the community. The resulting C-shaped configuration frames this shared outdoor space while supporting efficient residential layouts and a connection between building, landscape, and neighborhood context. Working closely with the Callahan and SMC teams, we were able to align design intent with construction execution and deliver a significant new residential community for the city of Worcester and its residents.”…