Court Square, Springfield, Massachusetts

A development opportunity of historic proportions

: 3-7 Street and 13-31 Elm Street from street level (Click to Enlarge)

: The square around 3-7 Elm Street and 13-31 Elm Street (Click to Enlarge)

: Aerial View of the Project Site (Click to Enlarge)

: Historic Pan of Court Square (1909)

: Historic Postcard of Court Square

: 13-31 Elm Street (between 1900-1910)

Court Square - Downtown Springfield, Massachusetts

Project Location: 13 - 31 Elm Street, 104-108 State Street, N/S State Street (98 & 100). Project description below.

Project Description: The City of Springfield, Springfield Redevelopment Authority, and National Development Council are currently examining potential reuse scenarios for the larger building on the property, 13-31 Elm Street.

In addition, the University of Massachusetts has recently committed to locating an Urban Design Center at 3-7 Elm Street. UMASS has also indicated a future larger committment is possible at Court Square.

This opportunity is directly across from Springfield City Hall, Symphony Hall, MassMutual Center, and the Sovereign Bank Building, with close proximity to Interstates 90 and 91.

The 13-31 Elm Street building was originally designed by Frederick Newman and built in 1892. In 1900 a sixth floor was added and the Court Square Hotel was built and connected to the original building, wrapping the hotel addition alongside the Juvenile Court and facing State Street. 3-7 Elm Street is recorded as being built in 1835, one of the oldest buildings still standing in the city. The properties are part of a National Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places.

Public improvements have surrounded the properties, with the project site lying at the nexus of the $2.5 million Main Street improvements, and the $18 million State Street improvements that are nearing completion. With $71 million spent on the construction of the new MassMutual Center just across Main Street, a new $53 million Federal courthouse on State Street, and the overhaul of public improvements made at Court Square Park adjacent to the buildings, the properties are well situated to take advantage of the public investments.

The properties are situated in the Court Square Urban Renewal Plan. Allowable uses for the buildings include upper story residential, hotel, or office and ground floor active uses such as retail, restaurants, and arts. The building has been highlighted by several organizations including the Urban Land Institute as a prime candidate for upper story market rate housing conversion.

Project Information:

Project Site Aerial

Project Site Parcel Map

Court Square Land Survey

Photo Galleries

3-7 Elm Street

13-31 Elm Street

Court Square Area

Photo Gallery, Courtesy of Heather Brandon at www.urbancompass.net

View the 13-31 Elm St. Property information

Additional Information

Read the Urban Land Institute Report -- Strategies for a Sustainable City