Town Meeting Approves Nordblom Company’s Multi-Family Development Proposal Across from 3rd Ave
Burlington, MA — The Town of Burlington has officially approved Nordblom Company’s proposal to transform a section across from Burlington’s 3rd Ave and Northwest Park into a vibrant, mixed-use community by building a multi-family housing development. The plan, presented to Town Meeting by Todd Fremont-Smith, Senior Vice President of Development at Nordblom Company, marks the next phase of Burlington’s evolution into a dynamic “live, work, play” destination.
Nordblom’s newly approved residential proposal aligns directly with the Commonwealth’s MBTA Communities Legislation, which requires cities and towns served by the MBTA to zone for multi-family housing “by right” in designated areas. Burlington identified five districts to meet this requirement: Beacon Village, Heritage at Stonebridge, Lifetime Living, the Huntington & Tremont, and a fifth district across from the Bancroft and Archer.
Nordblom owns the two existing office buildings at the center of that fifth district and will replace them with a modern, 188-unit multi-family community, including 28 affordable units (15%). The new housing will replace two obsolete 1970s-era office buildings that no longer meet modern standards or market needs.
Northwest Park encompasses 150 acres along Mall Road—from Border Café up to Route 62 and beyond Lifetime Living—including Blue Sky Drive. Already home to national employers, restaurants, and retailers, the district is poised to become one of Greater Boston’s most connected and walkable suburban environments.
Nordblom’s master vision for Northwest Park continues the company’s longstanding commitment to Burlington’s growth. With MBTA bus service through the park, accessible sidewalks, and an expanding network of public spaces—including a pickleball court added last year, the New England Sculpture Association’s public art walk, and outdoor gathering areas—the development offers a high-quality environment for residents, workers, and visitors alike.
The Broad Institute’s state-of-the-art lab building, completed in 2024, underscores Burlington’s growing role as a hub for innovation and life sciences. This mixed-use model reflects a regional trend, as companies continue relocating from Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston’s urban core to suburban locations that offer better value, accessibility, and quality of life.
Designed with sustainability and resilience in mind, the project will enhance pedestrian connections across Middlesex Turnpike—linking 3rd Ave, Burlington Square, and the Burlington Mall through a new crosswalk and improved access points such as Great Meadow Road.
A fiscal impact analysis conducted for the Nordblom Company concluded that the redevelopment will have a net positive annual fiscal impact of approximately $400,000, including $243,000 in new property tax revenue and $76,000 in excise taxes, along with increased sales activity in nearby restaurants, retail shops, and services.
“This proposal strengthens the vitality of Burlington’s commercial districts while addressing the state’s housing goals in a thoughtful, community-centered way,” said Fremont-Smith. “We’re proud to partner with the Town in creating a district that feels like a true village—one with a sense of place, walkability, and balance between living and working.”
The project will further bolster 3rd Ave and the broader Northwest Park area as a premier destination in suburban Boston—where innovation, lifestyle, and community come together
