Architectural Heritage Foundation's Washington Mills Building No 1 marks the largest single private investment in downtown Lawrence in decades. The project involves renovation of the 240,000 square foot former textile mill in Lawrence into 155 residential live/work units that preserve the area's rich history.

The project is the first major mill redevelopment in the Reviviendo Gateway, an area targeted by the city for investment and where a zoning overlay district encourages the reuse of the historic mills. Building No 1 is also located approximately 1/2 mile from the city's new intermodal transit center and only blocks away from Lawrence's commercial corridor on Essex Street. This smart growth preservation project, backed by tremendous public and private support, has turned the lights back on in this district and leverage additional investment in the community.

AHF's partnership with the Banc of America CDC, the nation's largest bank-owned community development corporation in the country, has brought over $40 million of investment and 155 new downtown residents to one of the poorest communities in Massachusetts.