Plaza Apartments in South Hadley brings 60 mixed-income residences to a 3-acre site that was formerly part of the Woodlawn Shopping Plaza, by the intersection of Lyman and Newton streets (routes 33 and 116). The four-story apartment building is developed by Way Finders in partnership with South Hadley Plaza LLC.
Residents of Plaza Apartments will find a suburban setting within an established residential neighborhood and in proximity to various services and amenities—from bus routes and the local high school to restaurants and other service establishments. A proposed new senior center is also less than a quarter mile away.
The Plaza Apartments are in an area of South Hadley—known as the Newton Street Smart Growth District—where the town is focused on creating new housing with access to jobs, retail, and transit. Recent updates to the zoning in the neighborhood have allowed for more mixed-use development. Such changes align with the goals of Way Finders, which aims to increase the supply of affordable and mixed income housing in suburban areas where demand is high and supply is low.
Way Finders is working with Dietz & Company Architects on the L-shaped building, oriented around a central courtyard, which includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Five units are accessible for people with physical disabilities, and two are equipped for people with sensory impairments. There are also three units reserved for clients of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.
On the first floor of the building, in spaces distinguished by their large storefront-style exteriors, residents can do laundry and visit the Way Finders offices for property management (including 24-hour maintenance) and resident services. A community room with a kitchenette will also be available. Outside, the grassy courtyard will have tables, benches, and bicycle racks and the on-site, off-street parking will accommodate 75 vehicles.
Construction of Plaza Apartments is slated to start in fall 2025 and will take approximately 16 months to complete.