The Mill District Development, located on the historic “Scott Mills” site in Saugus, MA, proposes new mixed-use buildings, open public space, and landscape remediation in accordance with the goals of the Saugus Mills Mixed use overlay. The proposed development provides amenities for Saugus residents, including new apartment units, commercial space (proposed restaurant, cafe, dance studio), and an accessible public plaza for festivals, events, and daily use, all while preserving and respecting the historic mill building. A public bridge will connect the plaza to the east bank of the river, where new path connections will provide easy access to the Saugus River. The site design includes maintenance and restoration of natural vegetation along the riverfront, as well as planting of native species around new construction and public spaces. The scale, materials, and forms take cues from the neighboring historic Saugus Iron Works buildings.

The development comprises several components. On the southwest corner of the site, a two-story building will contain a ground floor cafe with outdoor terrace, a second floor dance studio, and a basement gym. To the north of this, a new parking area and vehicular entry to the site is proposed. One larger building along the northwest corner of the site contains 42 apartment units on three floors, a two-level 4,950 GSF restaurant, and a 78-space parking garage. This building wraps around the public plaza that provides access to the restaurant and an accessible pedestrian bridge. This bridge connects to river-side trails and four new 2,300 gross square foot three-story residential buildings, each containing two units and an attached garage.