The Bulfinch Companies is trying to bring a long-paused Needham gateway site back to life, unveiling a major overhaul of its stalled plan for the former Muzi Ford property at 557 Highland Ave. The roughly 10-acre proposal would trade a previously approved life-sciences campus for a mix of housing, medical offices and neighborhood retail, with company officials telling the Needham Planning Board they hope to restart the project once zoning is updated, ending a multi-year pause for the prominent parcel.
What Bulfinch Is Proposing
The new concept shown to the board envisions up to 480 housing units, about 100,000 square feet of medical office space and roughly 10,000 square feet of retail, along with a parking supply of about 1,000 spaces. An earlier idea for a hotel is no longer on the table. Robert Schlager, president of The Bulfinch Companies, walked the board through the plan and indicated the firm is aiming to bring a zoning warrant to a special town meeting in October, according to Bisnow.
Why The Shift From Labs
Company representatives told the board that the suburban life-science market has cooled, so they are looking at uses that could keep the site active and on the tax rolls. Schlager said at the meeting that, in Bulfinch’s view, a multifamily concept that clearly includes senior housing for residents over age 55 could be the “highest and best” use for the property, according to Needham Observer.
Site History And Price
Bulfinch bought the former Muzi Ford site in late 2021 for about $57.5 million and now markets the address as 557 Highland Avenue. The company had initially pitched roughly a 475,000-square-foot Highland Innovation Center on the 10-acre parcel, according to The Bulfinch Companies, and the sale itself was reported by Traded.
Approvals And Timeline
The new mix of uses would differ significantly from what the Planning Board approved in its 2022 decision, so moving ahead will require changes to the zoning language as well as a fresh round of board review, according to the town’s project page from the Town of Needham. Schlager told the board that Bulfinch’s goal is to secure a zoning warrant for a special town meeting in October and then proceed after that vote, as reported by Bisnow.
Traffic And Neighbors
Traffic and parking dominated much of the discussion, with planning board members and residents flagging them as central concerns. Board member Justin McCullen said, “We need to be extra vigilant about traffic impact,” according to Needham Observer. Opponents and board members asked that any revised submission spell out traffic-generating characteristics and detail potential roadway improvements to Gould Street and Highland Avenue.
Next Steps
Bulfinch said it plans to keep up community outreach and further refine the program while working with town staff on specific zoning language, and the firm has posted project materials and meeting notices on its project page, according to The Bulfinch Companies. If Needham voters approve the necessary zoning changes, the developer could move into permitting and design, although the ultimate schedule will hinge on financing conditions and the broader construction market.
