Marty's Furniture Building Could Become 140+ Residential Units

MELROSE, MA — A developer is proposing turning Marty's Furniture on Washington Street into more than 140 residential units, a huge potential addition to a neighborhood that has seen an influx of major development in the past several years.

The project, revealed on Twitter by Ward 5 Alderman Shawn MacMaster Friday night, would have no retail space and add a level on top of the historic building. The site would be developed into apartments in about a year.

It would join Jack Flats and The Washingtons Apartments as the latest modern apartment complex to hit the tight-knit neighborhood.

MacMaster has spoken with developer Oak Grove Mill's attorney David Lucas and City Planner Denise Gaffey. Both Lucas and Gaffey did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment sent late Friday evening.

The proposed project comes as the the city and residents mull two other proposals that would shift the landscape of downtown. One involves wiping out the existing building at 360-368 Main St., home to MMTV, and replacing it with a mixed-use five-story building with 42 residential units. The other is 12-16 Essex St., which would be torn down and turned into a mixed-use three-story building with 14 residential units.

Despite its size, the proposed Washington Street development may have more to do with the Essex Street project than the Main Street one due to their historical roots.

In Essex Street's case, the building in question is potentially the oldest downtown and home to the first business owned by a minority resident of Melrose.

Marty's has been around since 1984, but before that it was the Boston Rubber Shoe Company Factory. The factory, which opened in 1883, employed hundreds and was the heartbeat of "Rubberville" — or what is now the Lower Washington Street neighborhood. Nearby Brazil Street is famously named for the rubber they would import from Brazil.

There will be a neighborhood meeting Thursday night at Marty's as representatives meet with residents to discuss the potential impacts of such a development. MacMaster will be attending with an eye toward some of the concerns residents have brought up.

"The Lower Washington Street neighborhood has gone through a lot of changes over the last several years, which has brought a number of neighborhood impacts that as alderman I've been attempting to address and mitigate," MacMaster told Patch, noting traffic and congestion in particular. "Naturally the proposed development raises some concerns that I have. I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to speak with the administration." .

MacMaster is also concerned about the pressure it would put on an already taxed water and sewage infrastructure, a problem that was highlighted in June's Brazil Street sewage backup.

But MacMaster said he intends on entering Thursday night's meeting with an open mind.

"Having a vibrant neighborhood is a good thing, as long as we're able to mitigate any adverse impacts," he said. "I think when change comes there needs to be a positive for the neighborhood — and in the past there hasn't been much for the Lower Washington corridor. In my talks with the administration and developer I want to make sure there are tangible benefits for the neighborhood and the residents that live here."