The Westcott
Location
Swampscott, MA
Client
WinnDevelopment
Services
Sectors
Multi-Family, Historic Preservation & Adaptive Reuse
Square Footage
143,000 SF
Number of Units
114
A transit-oriented community that transforms a 1.3-acre former industrial parcel into 114 high-performance coastal residences.
The five-story podium building strategically modulates its massing to reinforce neighborhood character.
The Westcott is a $69.1M, 143,000-square-foot mixed-income development. A 2.5-story gabled volume at the main entrance aligns with the surrounding streetscape, a four-story mansard edge aligns with the scale of abutting single-family homes, and a five-story flat-roof engages the commuter rail corridor. The southwest side of the building steps down to four stories, reducing the perceived height while creating a fifth-floor roof deck.
Designed to Passive House Institute (PHI) standards, The Westcott features an all-electric building, high-performance triple-pane fenestration, a highly insulated air-sealed envelope, and two whole-building ERVs that ensure high-quality air circulation. A 67.3 kW rooftop solar array further reduces operational energy. Enhanced acoustic detailing along the track-facing elevations ensures acoustic comfort throughout.
Residents have access to indoor and outdoor bike storage, shared rental bikes and cars, and covered parking; all connected to the building’s transit-oriented mission. The Westcott’s location, adjacent to the MBTA Commuter Rail and a bus stop, is reinforced through amenities such as commuter passes, a transit screen, and shuttle services, making sustainable living intuitive.
Drawing from the coastal New England vernacular of one of the North Shore’s most vibrant communities, the architecture employs rhythmic bays and recesses along the façade, and a palette of seaside blues and greys articulated through varied lap siding, board-and-batten accents, dormers, and stone base elements that visually anchor the structure. Ground-floor units with direct entries and front porches activate the street.
The community includes 16 deeply affordable units (30% AMI), 62 affordable units (60% AMI), 16 workforce units (110% AMI), and 20 market-rate apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms with balconies on select homes. Within the units, the interior palette is defined as bright, elevated simplicity: white Shaker cabinetry, contrasting gray granite counters, and handmade-look square tile backsplashes.
The interiors at The Westcott extend the project’s coastal architectural language into a refined, contemporary living experience by layering tonal warmth, durable materials, and subtle seaside references throughout the common spaces, amenities, and residential homes. Across the building, moody blue accents, intricate trim profiles, and a curated mix of traditional brass detailing paired with matte black metals establish a timeless yet modern aesthetic. Artwork and accessories echo the building’s coastal setting through subtle nautical textures, palettes, and local references.
The areas in the main entrance to the building feature warm light-gray porcelain tiles with soft veining for durability and ease of maintenance, while medium-tone walnut vinyl plank flooring adds natural warmth to the amenity areas. Amenity spaces are crafted as extensions of the home. For example, the front-of-house pet spa, directly off the entry vestibule, featuring neutral wall tile with a bold green accent color and whimsical dog-themed art, allows residents to wash off pets before entering the building. The resident lounge centers on a welcoming kitchen with a large communal island, a variety of seating arrangements, and a water-vapor fireplace that creates a dynamic focal point. A suite of co-working environments, including multiple work pods and a dedicated lounge pod, supports flexible remote work.
Fitness amenities include an airy gym with an adjacent quiet yoga room, anchored by arched, back-lit mirrors that introduce an ambient glow. On the fifth floor, a moody music-themed lounge displays album art and includes a Bluetooth-enabled record player, offering an intimate retreat. The rooftop deck is outfitted with electric grills, built-in seating and trellis, abundant plantings, and offers sightlines toward Nahant Bay and the Boston skyline.
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