The rehabilitation of Eagle Mill transforms one of the region’s most historic mills into a vibrant community asset which honors the area’s history, sparks economic growth and addresses affordable housing needs.
“We’re building a village.”
Built in 1808, Eagle Mill is nestled along the Housatonic River in the quaint Southern Berkshire town of Lee, Massachusetts. With a population of about 6,000 residents, Lee was once the leader of the nation in paper-making in the late 1800s, and home to 25 paper mills. Several innovations took place in Lee’s mills, including the use of wood pulp to make paper. Over the years, such operations have dwindled. Eagle Mill continued to operate and employ many Lee residents until 2008, when paper company Schweitzer-Mauduit closed its four remaining mills, including the Eagle Mill. As a result of those closures, over 350 jobs were lost and Eagle Mill now sits vacant, awaiting redevelopment.
Eagle Mill Today
The Eagle Mill property adjoins Lee’s West Center Street (MA Route 20) and includes a section of the Housatonic River.
Vacant for the past 13 years, the proposed residential, commercial and retail uses will bring tenants, businesses, retail establishments, and food service to the historic core of the mill complex, breathing new life and vibrancy into historic site.
To realize this vision, developer Jeffrey N. Cohen has partnered with DEW Properties,LLC to form Eagle Mill Redevelopment LLC and acquire the Eagle Mill property.
Eagle Mill Redevelopment entered into two contracts with Rees-Larkin Development which will acquire, in partnership with Berkshire Housing Development Corporation, the historic Union and Eagle Mills at the Eagle Mill and two residential mill sites by which they will develop a total of 122 units of market rate and affordable housing.
“The concept of the project is to create a community center to accommodate businesses and residents and be a link to Main Street.
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Eagle Mill site shown in color, Surrounding town property in B&W. West Center Street is seen in bottom of image wrapping around the southern border of the Eagle Mill development.
Ceremonial ground is broken at Eagle Mill development site in Lee during November 10 event. Developer Jeffrey Cohen, State and community stakeholders pose for traditional ground breaking photo. Included: Chair of the House Ways and Means Committe US Congressman Richard Neil, Massachusetts State Senator Adam Hinds, and State Representative William ‘Smitty’ Pignatelli.
A Glimpse into the (near) Future
Plans for the Eagle Mill property include adaptive reuse of the historic mill buildings as well as new construction to create 122 apartments, retail shops and offices, and a food/dining complex.
