MAYNARD — The Town of Maynard has completed a years-long effort to restore and redevelop the historic Coolidge School at 12 Bancroft Street, transforming the long-vacant building, originally built in 1906, into new apartment housing while preserving its architectural and educational heritage.
According to a statement from Town Administrator Greg Johnson, the building, which has been vacant for 35 years, was targeted for redevelopment by town officials seeking to bring the space back into use while preserving its historical character.
In 2019, Maynard selected Civico, a community-focused real estate investment and development firm, to lead the project. Over the next several years, Civico conducted predevelopment work, navigated zoning and permitting, developed plans with the town, and assembled financing from public and private sources, including MassDevelopment’s Underutilized Property Program, the Maynard Affordable Housing Trust, and federal and state historic tax credits.
Clinton Savings Bank provided construction financing, while MassDevelopment supplied bridge financing. With guidance from MacRostie Historic Advisors — now Ryan LLC — and support from the Maynard Historical Commission, Civico secured state and federal historic tax credits and agreed to a local preservation restriction to protect the building’s historic integrity.
The Coolidge School is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places for its association with the growth of Maynard’s education system and as an example of Classical Revival architectural design. The project received Part 2 approval for compliance with historic rehabilitation requirements and will receive Part 3 approval upon completion.
Construction began in 2024, resulting in 12 residential units, three of which are designated as affordable. Officials said preserving the school’s brick façade, separate boys’ and girls’ staircases, chalkboards, and classroom-style window openings was a priority during redevelopment. Eight public parking spaces were also added to improve access to Coolidge Park Playground and the adjacent sledding hill.
“On behalf of the Town of Maynard, I wish to thank Civico for their diligent and extensive work to not only redevelop the old Coolidge School, but also maintain a prominent part of the Town’s history,” Town Administrator Greg Johnson said in the statement. “This newly renovated apartment housing will be a wonderful addition to our growing community.”
Taylor Bearden, a Partner at Civico, said the redevelopment was made possible through sustained collaboration. “After 35 years of vacancy, transforming the historic Coolidge School into quality housing while preserving its architectural heritage required patience and collaboration,” Bearden said. “This project exemplifies what’s possible when a community comes together—from town leadership and residents to our financing partners at MassDevelopment, Clinton Savings Bank, and others—all united around the shared vision of honoring the past while building for the future.”
Officials encouraged residents to learn more about the building’s history by visiting the Maynard Historical Society archives.