Project

Coppersmith Village

Affordable Housing + Community Development

Coppersmith Village is a 56-unit residential community with 15 townhomes in East Boston, just steps from the harbor and Maverick Square. A former steel manufacturing site, the project required complex urban infill construction and coordination with multiple stakeholders. The result is a LEED Gold, transit-oriented community that blends affordable and market-rate housing, supporting both neighborhood revitalization and long-term sustainability.

Location: Boston, MA

Owner: NOAH

Architect: The Narrow Gate

Row of modern gray townhouses along a tree-lined sidewalk, with a person pushing a stroller past parked cars and streetlamps on a sunny day.

View from an apartment balcony with a metal mesh railing and potted plant, overlooking a row of townhouses with wood-fenced backyards and a brick building with rooftop vents in the background

Row of modern townhouses with dark siding and colorful shutter accents, ground-floor garages, and newly planted trees along a paved driveway leading to a parking area.

Modern gray townhouses with bay windows and stepped rooflines, framed by tree branches above, with a raised landscaped planter and parked cars along the street below.

Multi-story orange and gray apartment building seen across a grassy field with a rock-lined drainage channel in the foreground and a parking area near the entrance

Phased Construction, Seamlessly Managed

Financing for the Coppersmith Village project was provided by the State of Massachusetts and East Boston Savings Bank. Coppersmith Village was completed in multiple phases, a necessity driven by the project’s diverse funding sources typical of affordable housing. TOCCI led coordinating trades, managing schedules, and ensuring continuity across all workstreams. By leveraging Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), the team optimized MEP coordination and prevented conflicts, delivering each phase efficiently while maintaining the quality, safety, and design integrity of the overall development.

150 feet from Boston Harbor

56 mixed income units

15 townhouses

Row of modern townhouses with dark blue and beige siding, bay windows, and street-level entrances, facing a sidewalk with a fire hydrant and parked cars.

Designed for People + Community

Coppersmith Village demonstrates how thoughtful design can create affordable housing that benefits residents and the surrounding community.

Sustainable Design:
Coppersmith Village achieved LEED Gold certification, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. The development incorporates features such as solar panels, energy-efficient systems, and green roofs

Community-Focused:
The project includes 15 townhomes, providing homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. Additionally, a 3,000 sq ft retail space is available for lease.

Transit-Oriented Location:
Located just 150 feet from the Boston Inner Harbor, Coppersmith Village offers residents easy access to public transportation, including the nearby Maverick “T” station.

Construction Designed for Climate Risks

The buildings were constructed four feet above the flood plain, with flood vents and durable ground-level finishes designed to withstand water exposure. Mechanical systems were installed at elevated levels to prevent damage from sea-level rise. Storm-resistant envelopes, permeable landscaping, and robust construction methods further strengthen the development, ensuring long-term durability and allowing residents to remain secure during severe weather events.

"Targeted infrastructure investment helps leverage community and businesses assets to create jobs and grow regional economies. Locally driven and community-backed efforts to create economic opportunity and improve neighborhood like East Boston, including MassWorks, Community Compacts, and the Urban Agenda, are a vital part of our economic development plan.”

Governor Charlie Baker on Coppersmith Village