T
he Architectural Team (TAT) has completed ThirtyOne Elm, a mixed-use residential destination in Springfield, Mass.'s Court Square neighborhood. This project reflects TAT's extensive expertise in historic adaptive reuse and placemaking. The building, once a premier office complex and regional hotel, sat vacant for three decades before being transformed into 74 apartments, 13,000 square feet of retail space, and a planned 240-seat restaurant.
The rebirth of ThirtyOne Elm is a significant milestone for Springfield, addressing the city's severe shortage of affordable housing while reducing environmental impact. Local leaders have praised the project for its positive impacts on downtown revitalization. Mayor Domenic Sarno noted that the response to housing in the historic building has been incredible and exceeded expectations.
TAT senior partner Michael Binette stated that ThirtyOne Elm is a prime example of repurposing an underutilized asset, providing a catalyst for future investment in downtown Springfield while retaining its architectural fabric. WinnCompanies Executive Vice President Michael O'Brien added that the project's success was due to perseverance and partnership among stakeholders.
Originally constructed in 1892 as a five-story office complex, ThirtyOne Elm underwent significant preservation and restoration efforts. TAT's team removed, numbered, and cataloged historic trim, including carved woodwork, marble surfaces, and wainscoting, which were reinstalled during the final stages of construction. The design team also undertook extensive stabilization efforts on the building structure itself.
The project involved balancing preservation with contemporary functionality and energy efficiency goals. TAT's experts replaced hundreds of original windows with new high-performance glazing, added insulation to exterior walls, and enhanced roof insulation. Modern heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, and low-flow fixtures were also installed.
ThirtyOne Elm features 49 one-bedroom apartments and 25 two-bedroom residences, appealing to a broad range of renters eager to live downtown. The building's new lobby-like first-floor corridor serves as an expansive communal area, connecting to a fire-placed community lounge, fitness center, private work areas, and mail lockers.
The project has become a catalyst for broader urban revitalization in Springfield, with the city undertaking updates to surrounding sidewalks and an adjacent park. TAT Associate Phil Renzi noted that transforming this historic building and enhancing its relationship to Court Square has been a rewarding process, reflecting the firm's mission of preserving and revitalizing the historic fabric of American cities.
