• CDD >
  • Projects >
  • 139 Bishop Allen Drive (1-15 Vail Court)

139 Bishop Allen Drive (1-15 Vail Court)

Aerial view of 139 Bishop Allen Drive (Vail Court)

139 Bishop Allen Drive, familiarly known as Vail Court, is a 28,201 square foot lot located in Mid-Cambridge that was acquired by the City of Cambridge through eminent domain in 2016. In June 2017, the City Council voted to transfer the property to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust (CAHT) for redevelopment as affordable housing. In July 2017, the City and CAHT held an initial community meeting to discuss the site and next steps, but the process was paused due to the onset of litigation. That litigation has now been resolved and the CAHT is restarting the process of planning for an affordable housing development for the site.

The CAHT plans to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to seek and select a development team to create new affordable housing at the 139 Bishop Allen site. It is expected that the site will be developed under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO)Once an affordable housing developer has been selected, a community process will be conducted to review redevelopment plans for the site.


The City and Trust will be hosting a community meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information and updates on the site and the anticipated redevelopment process, in advance of the CAHT’s issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select an affordable housing developer for the site. The meeting will be held virtually by Zoom and there will be an opportunity for community feedback.

To participate in this meeting through the Zoom video meeting platform, please register using this link in advance of the meeting.


Vail Court Public Meetings: 

Meeting Date/Time More Information
Community Meeting May 20, 2026 at 6 p.m. Register here to attend.

Description: 

Existing Site: a 28,201 square foot vacant lot

Proposed Site: TBD affordable housing units

  • Street view of 139 Bishop Allen Drive (Vail Court)

    Vail Court_Apr 2026 Corner View

  • Aerial view of 139 Bishop Allen Drive (Vail Court)

    Vail Court GIS Aerial View

Vail Court City Disposition Request – June 12, 2017 

Vail Court City Manager’s Report – September 26, 2016