Plans for New Hotel in Watertown Coming into Focus

Details about the proposal to build a hotel on the former Charles River Saab site are emerging and residents will have the chance to sound off on the project. The new owners of the Arsenal Mall (now known as the Arsenal Project), Boyslton Properties, also purchased the former car dealership, across Arsenal Street from the mall. The new hotel will be a Marriott, according to a report in the Watertown Tab, and will be designed by the same architecture firm behind the Marriott in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. (Read more details by clicking here). A proposal to change the zoning for the areas including the property where the hotel is planned, would allow a building as high as 79 feet tall or six stories.

Town Council Looking to Change Rules for New Developments in Watertown

The Town Council seeks to change the rules for new developments proposed to be built in Watertown. 

On Tuesday, the Council voted to recommend changes to the town’s Zoning Ordinance, and requested that Director of Economic Development and Planning Steve Magoon start the process to change the rules. Under the recommendation from the Rules and Ordinances subcommittee, a public meeting would have to be held for any residential project with four or more units and any non-residential project of more than 10,000 sq. ft. before it could be submitted to the Planning Board. The proposal would require meetings to be advertised at least two weeks before the meeting, and the district councilor for the area where the project is proposed must be notified.

What Market will Go into the New Development on Arsenal Street?

A rendering of the proposed development on Arsenal Street. Photo: The Hanover Company. By Charlie Breitrose

The new development proposed for 202 Arsenal Street includes a small market, but which one has not been decided. Residents asked if it would be a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods or even a Market Basket. Developers from the Hanover Company and Cresset Development said they do not have a tenant for the site.

Developers of a Proposed Residential/Retail Complex Get an Earful from Residents

{Originally sent to Watertown News email list page on Feb. 7}
A mock up of what the residential building will look like on Arsenal Street. Photo: The Hanover Company. By Charlie Breitrose
Developers of the site along Arsenal Street met with residents Thursday night and they heard about Watertowner’s concerns – including increased traffic, loss of the possibility a path through the area and trees. The proposed development would have a four-story apartment complex with 297 units (202 one-bedroom, 89 two-bedroom and 6 three-bedroom), a 30,600 square foot store – likely a market, and 6,777 square feet for boutique stores and a restaurant.