The Architectural Team of Chelsea has received additional accolades for its efforts in adaptive reuse initiatives centered on the Atlas Lofts development. Through thoughtful historic preservation paired with viable commercial strategies and community renewal, the firm has demonstrated excellence in its field. The conversion of Chelsea’s Russell Box Factory into distinctive, contemporary mixed-income rental housing earned The Architectural Team recognition in the “Adaptive Reuse” category at the 2011 Massachusetts Historical Commission’s Preservation Awards. Featuring 53 units with oversized windows, soaring wood-beam ceilings and exposed brick and concrete, Atlas Lofts has become an attractive residential option for renters across various demographics. Mitchell Properties, LLC developed the project, which sits in Chelsea’s Box District on Gerrish Avenue—a transit-oriented neighborhood characterized by restored industrial structures and previously undeveloped sites now housing residences for multiple income brackets. The development also exemplifies sustainable design principles: 186 solar panels installed on the roof have already generated approximately one ton of CO2 offsets within its first two weeks of operation. The Box District and Atlas Lofts are situated near Admiral’s Hill, a prestigious waterfront destination featuring a converted naval hospital now containing luxury apartments and a rehabilitated 19th-century naval commandant’s residence that serves as The Architectural Team’s headquarters. Since the project’s inception, The Architectural Team has played a central role in Admiral’s Hill’s redevelopment, which upon completion has yielded 750 new residential units. The Atlas Lofts project represents another significant achievement in The Architectural Team’s 40-year portfolio. The firm maintains a distinguished track record of revitalizing urban neighborhoods throughout Boston and nationally, with particular expertise in historic preservation work, notably mill conversions.
Lofty Honor for The Architectural Team of Chelsea
