WORCESTER, MA — The Community Builders (TCB) were joined by Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty, City Manager Eric D. Batista, Secretary Ed Augustus of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC), as well as other state and local partners to celebrate the ribbon cuttings for two new affordable apartment buildings in the heart of Worcester – The Aurora and Merrick at the Square. The two buildings combined will bring 134 new and renovated apartments into the market, marking a significant impact in the pool of affordable housing for the City of Worcester and area residents.

“Today, as we mark the rehabilitation of this landmark building, The Aurora, Worcester gains 85 affordable units where they’re so critically needed. And what makes this particularly exciting to us is that it includes the addition of 25 Supportive Housing units,” said Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Perry. “Merrick on the Square is exactly the kind of development Worcester needs most; affordable housing that helps reinforce established neighborhoods.”

Two buildings – one a historical legend the other a new development in a beloved neighborhood – The Aurora and the Merrick at the Square each address the need for additional affordable rental housing supply in Central Massachusetts. The buildings each offer amenities and services with a focus on meeting the needs of a wide variety of households in Worcester. The Aurora includes improvements to 85 homes for single living on Worcester’s historic Main Street preserving affordable housing in the heart of the city; while Merrick on the Square is located in the Pleasant Street neighborhood and brings 49 new family homes to this desirable location close to Elm Park, providing an injection of new construction that delivers high quality, energy efficient, affordable rental housing.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is glad to be a partner to cities like Worcester, and project leaders like The Community Builders, who are working hard to bring to life our shared vision of providing a home for everyone,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “With 134 new and renovated affordable apartments, these projects further Worcester’s transformation and bring our state closer to ending our housing shortage day by day. HLC was proud to support these projects, and we’re excited to celebrate their opening today.”

Worcester’s Central Business District has been undergoing a major transformation, fueled by years of significant development. The renovated Union Station and new MBTA commuter line have positioned the city as a key hub for Boston-area commuters, driving strong demand for downtown housing.

This surge in predominantly market-rate housing has revitalized local businesses, supporting a growing mix of restaurants, breweries, theaters, and retail. However, this rapid growth has also intensified housing challenges for low-income residents, raising concerns about affordability and accessibility.

“The ribbon cuttings for The Aurora and Merrick at the Square are a testament to TCB’s commitment to bringing affordable housing to Worcester,” said Rachana Crowley, vice president of real estate development TCB  “The addition of 49 new homes, 85 rehabilitated apartments and the services that accompany them are building blocks of a vibrant and growing community for years to come.”

Unique to The Aurora is the expansion of permanent housing programs. OpenSky, a local social services organization, together with TCB’s Community Life team will provide long-term direct services. With these 25 new set-aside units TCB and OpenSky will support young adults requiring behavioral health services, income and employment support, and tenancy stabilization skills.

“Both of these projects are great examples of how we can construct and preserve affordable housing in the city, which is exactly what we need to be doing right now,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “All of these units are affordable, with some units below 30% AMI, which is extremely important as rent and the cost of living continues to rise. Additionally, 7 of the 49 units (14%) at Merrick are fully accessible, with additional units accessible to individuals with sensory impairments. I want to thank The Community Builders for its continued investment in Worcester and its prioritization of affordable housing for all.”

The Aurora

Aurora resident Besty L. performs the honors at the building’s ribbon cutting. (photo: courtesy of City Manager’s Office)

The Community Builders (TCB) are thrilled to be part of the renovation and rebirth of the Aurora Apartments, a historic six-story building originally constructed as a hotel in 1898 in the Classic Revival style. Converted to residential use in the 1980s, the Aurora is located just two blocks from Polar Park and offers walkable access to downtown Worcester, making it a key part of the city’s vibrant urban fabric.

The building features 85 affordable studio apartments of which 25 are set aside for clients of OpenSky which will support young adults requiring behavioral health services, income and employment support, and tenancy stabilization skills.  Additionally, all residents will be able to receive services from TCB’s Community Life program directly on-site. This expansion in services builds on TCB’s proven track record of improving the lives of Worcester residents.  Of the 85 units 30 are reserved for those earning up to 30% of Area Median Income (AMI) , 22 are reserved at 50% of AMI and 38 are reserved for those at 60% of AMI. With all 85 apartments preserved as affordable it ensures long-term housing stability for low-income residents in a rapidly developing area.

This preservation effort reflects TCB’s commitment to inclusive, transit-accessible housing that honors Worcester’s architectural heritage while addressing the city’s growing need for affordable homes.

The general contractor is Keith Construction. The architect is Architecture Environmental Life, Inc. The management agent is TCB.

Merrick at the Square

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty cuts the ribbon at the new Merrick at the Square apartments joined by Sec. Ed Augustus (to his right) and City Manager Eric D. Batista (Left) [photo: TCB]

The Community Builders (TCB) are proud to announce the grand opening of Merrick at the Square, a 49-unit affordable housing community in Worcester, Massachusetts. Adding to the existing Sever Square communities, the new residences are in a four-story mixed-income building and are designed to meet both LEED and Enterprise Green Communities standards, ensuring long-term sustainability and energy efficiency.

The new homes will serve a range of income levels with 11 units for households earning up to 30% of Area Median Income (AMI), 5 units at 50% AMI and 33 units at 60% AMI.

TCB acquired the parcels encompassing Sever Square and the future Merrick at the Square site in 2016. With support from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), the organization preserved and expanded Sever Square’s existing housing. Merrick at the Square continues this commitment, offering transit-oriented, affordable housing that strengthens ties to the Pleasant Street neighborhood.

As Worcester experiences rapid development and rising housing costs, Merrick at the Square and its seven studios, ten one-bedrooms, twenty-six two-bedroom and six three-bedrooms will provide critical relief for lower-income families, helping residents remain in their communities and build lasting connections. This project reflects TCB’s mission to promote long-term affordability and inclusive growth in the city.

The general contractor is Saloomey Construction. The architect is Amenta Emma Architects. The management agent is TCB.

For additional images and media information contact  jesse.migneault@tcbinc.org at The Community Builders, 857-221-8661,