BOSTON – August 13, 2025 – Kaplan Construction, a WBE general contractor and construction management firm providing comprehensive building programs across Greater Boston, announced today it has completed the construction of 2147 Washington Street, a 99,831 SF six-story mixed-use building in Roxbury, Mass., on behalf of co-developers New Atlantic Development and DREAM Collaborative. With a focus on artists and the creative sector, 2147 Washington represents a significant contribution to the ongoing revitalization of Roxbury’s Nubian Square.
Built on the site of a former surface parking lot, the development includes 62 income-restricted rental apartments and 12 for-sale condominiums. Half of the rental units and eight of the for-sale units are designated for artists and individuals engaged in the creative economy. In addition to housing, the first floor features approximately 8,600 SF of community-facing space, including a gallery-style lobby, dance studio, bakery/café, classrooms, and flexible studio space for local artists. A second-floor community room offers additional gathering space for residents, while a below-grade parking garage provides 31 spaces and includes infrastructure for future EV charging stations. The building was designed by DREAM Collaborative.
2147 Washington was constructed to meet PHIUS (Passive House Institute US) standards under the City of Boston’s Zero Net Energy ordinance, requiring additional insulation in the building’s exterior envelope, roof systems, garage, unit to unit walls, and common areas; extensive air sealing to compartmentalize units; duct sealing to minimize loss of conditioned air; high-quality HVAC ventilation systems; and energy efficient appliances. Lighting controls for common spaces were installed for active conservation and optimum energy performance. Residential windows were optimized to meet window comfort criterion. Kaplan also implemented infrastructure for a future solar panel array, electric vehicle charging, and for a future transition to an all-electric boiler system. The building is also expected to achieve LEED® Silver certification.
During construction, several unforeseen soil conditions complicated the project. The site, formerly home to a hotel that was destroyed by fire and subsequently demolished, contained contaminated soil that required remediation before building could begin. In addition, abandoned MBTA footings encroaching into the site called for a more precise and less invasive earth retention system. Kaplan opted for vacuum excavation and drilled piles instead of traditional driven piles to minimize impact.
Kaplan exceeded workforce and supplier diversity benchmarks, achieving 78% minority labor hours – well above the Boston Residents Jobs Policy (BRJP) goal of 51%. The project also surpassed its subcontractor participation goal, with 68% of work awarded to minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE), against a target of 60%.
The project team members for 2147 Washington Street include:
- Co-developers: New Atlantic Development & DREAM Collaborative
- Architect: DREAM Collaborative
- General Contractor: Kaplan Construction
- Structural Engineer: RSE Associates
- MEP/FP Engineer: Norian Siani Engineering
- Civil Engineer: Meridian Associates, Inc.
- Landscape Architect: Deborah Myers Landscape Architects