Passive House Community Reduces Typical Carbon Emissions by 58%

Boston (July 16, 2025) – WinnCompanies, an award-winning national owner, developer and manager of high-impact apartment communities, today announced the opening of The Westcott, a 114-unit, Passive House certified property just a quarter mile from the commuter rail station in Swampscott, MA.

Built at a cost of $69.1 million, the development is comprised of households with a complete mix of incomes, featuring 16 affordable apartments for those earning up to 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI); 62 apartments for households earning up to 60% of AMI; 16 middle-income or workforce housing apartments for those earning up to 110% of AMI; and 20 units available at market rates.

“The Westcott demonstrates how public-private strategies for mixed-income housing in a transit-oriented environment can deliver much-needed apartment homes for the entire spectrum of renters,” said WinnDevelopment Executive Vice President Adam Stein. “We already have almost 1,000 leasing applications for apartments within the budgets of broad mix of households, including young professionals, commuters, downsizing couples and families.”

The Westcott features three studio units, 71 one-bedroom apartments, 28 two-bedroom apartments and 12 three-bedroom units.

Built to stringent Passive House standards, the community reduces operational carbon emissions by 58%. Sustainability features include a 50-kW rooftop photovoltaic array supplying 35% of the site’s electricity, triple-glazed windows LED lighting, high-efficiency heat pumps for heating and cooling, energy recovery ventilation systems, high-performance exterior wall insulation, ENERGY STAR appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures to help conserve water usage.

Residents of The Westcott are encouraged to use mass transit and sustainable transportation as much as possible.

In addition to a commuter station within walking distance, a popular bus route stops near the community’s front door; discounted commuting passes are promoted to residents; and the community’s lobby features a screen displaying the real-time status of mass transit options. There are two indoor and three outdoor bicycle storage areas, along with shared rental bikes, shared rental cars, and local shuttle services.

Local and state agencies and Bank of America delivered financing for the project. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities provided Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds, while MassHousing provided bridge, permanent and workforce housing financing. Bank of America provided the tax credit equity and construction financing for the project.

Locally, the Swampscott Affordable Housing Trust and the North Shore HOME Consortium also both committed funds to the development.

The community is managed by WinnResidential. Resident amenities include a three-season rooftop deck and grilling area with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Boston skyline, fitness center, private workspaces, a dedicated pet washing station, a lobby exhibit featuring the work of a local artist and electric vehicle charging stations.

Cranshaw Construction of Newton, MA, led the 20-month building effort on the 1.3-acre property, with The Architectural Team of Chelsea, MA, serving as architect. Hancock Associates of Danvers, MA, provided engineering services.

The project was approved by the Swampscott Zoning Board of Appeals in June 2022 under the Massachusetts Chapter 40B law that streamlines the local entitlement process for communities in need of affordable housing. Since more than 25% of the apartments are considered affordable, all 114 units will count toward the Town of Swampscott’s Subsidized Housing Inventory.

ABOUT WINNCOMPANIES

WinnCompanies is an award-winning owner, developer and manager of high-impact, quality apartment homes, supported by 4,300 team members in 27 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The company is known as a leading manager of multifamily apartment communities, operating the nation’s largest portfolio of affordable housing with a groundbreaking resident services platform. Its community development work focuses on creating and revitalizing mixed-income properties through environmentally sustainable new construction and pioneering adaptive reuse techniques. The company has also been a top manager of privatized housing for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families since 2001. Founded in Boston in 1971, WinnCompanies is a family-owned, private company. Learn more at WinnCompanies.

MEDIA CONTACT

Ed Cafasso
edcafasso@gmail.com
Call or Text: (617)455-9651

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