49 6th Street

49 Sixth Street_Former Church and Convent

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), a Boston-based nonprofit, is planning to convert a portion of the Sacred Heart property in East Cambridge into affordable rental housing. They will be partnering with Urban Spaces, a private residential developer, during the project’s initial development phase. Urban Spaces currently controls the site through a long term ground lease with the Archdiocese but will be transferring control to POAH when construction begins.

The plan calls for the adaptive reuse of the former convent, school and rectory buildings into 46 affordable rental apartments, with housing options for a range of resident incomes. As part of the renovation, POAH will restore the structures’ historic facades and interiors.  

POAH proposes to renovate the former Sacred Heart Rectory, School and Convent buildings under the provisions of the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO).


POAH conducted the AHO community process in 2021 and is beginning the Planning Board advisory design review process in April 2022.   

Click here to learn more about the proposed renovation of the Sacred Heart property and view a schedule of upcoming community meetings.

Existing Site: Buildings include the former Sacred Heart Rectory, School and Convent.

Proposed Redevelopment: 

  • 46 rental apartments

     

  • 49 Sixth Street

  • 49 Sixth Street_Street View

  • 49 Sixth Street_Former Church and Convent
  • 49 Sixth Street_ Former Convent

49 6th Street Public Meetings:

Meeting        Date/Time  More Information
Planning Board Meeting  Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. June 28 Meeting Materials
Planning Board Meeting Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. April 5 Meeting Materials 
Community Meeting Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. November 3 Meeting Flyer
Community Meeting Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

July 27 Meeting Flyer