Who's Redeveloping Denholm? WRA Picks Firm Pitching 233 Residential Units

WORCESTER, MA — A developer with an already sizeable footprint in downtown Worcester has been picked to redevelop a major piece of downtown real estate: the former Denholm department store along Main Street.

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority (WRA) at a meeting Thursday morning picked a proposal submitted by the Washington, DC-based Menkiti Group as the winner. Menkiti's proposal was one of four submitted to the WRA in April after the board put out a request for proposals.

Menkiti's $113 million proposal, called Denholm Court, calls for two new 10 and 11-story residential buildings with 233 apartments (20% affordable), 10,000 square-feet of retail space along Main Street and an outdoor promenade.

The WRA purchased the Denholm property in August 2022 for $3 million, but the city authorized a $6.8 million loan for the site. Of that total minus the property cost, $2.5 million was set aside for demolition, plus $900,000 for relocation assistance for the building's tenants and $400,000 for maintenance. The WRA began accepting proposals for the site in November and closed the proposal period in late March.

The developer offered the minimum $3 million bid for the building, minus a $2.5 million demolition credit.

Menkiti has already developed several projects in Worcester, including the downtown Chatham Lofts and the MassHire career center along Main Street. Menkiti has also completed residential projects in Washington and Maryland.

In July, the developer announced it had closed on a deal to purchase 526 Main St., which is right next door to the Denholm building. Menkiti plans to restore that building and add coworking space and retail.

RELATED: Worcester Denholm Building: 4 Proposals Submitted For Redevelopment

Here's a look at the Menkiti proposal submitted in April to the WRA: