Site Visit to Sherborn's Abbey Road Highlights Quality Over 55 Development

Tucked away behind two pocket parks and the old library is a recent development of over 55 multi-family housing that exhibits a number of features that could be successfully replicated elsewhere. The 18 units include 15 attached townhomes in three unit buildings, a pair of units in a reproduction of the old Peace Abbey Parsonage building, and a single unit occupying the old library, a brick structure on North Main Street.

Described by the developer as a "pocket neighborhood" and walkable to the town center, the Abbey Road development has a comfortable density of 12.6 units/acre and features rear entry garages and a common green where most of the units directly face.

Architectural design was a very important element in the development program and as described by the project website, was "...inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century, which revived traditional artistic craftsmanship and was inspired by nature, incorporating themes of simplicity, honesty, and function."  While many suburban Boston communities do not feature a wide range of architectural styles, certain English and American historical styles could be complementary and that is one reason that Abbey Road's design works well in Sherborn Center.


I've maintained that two key impediments to the acceptance of multi-family residences is lack of thoughtful architectural and site design. Poor building design that often features garage doors as a major facade element and little thought not only to the architectural style of the host community but also architectural awareness of the classical styles that would complement the existing stock. Site design is often purely an exercise in fitting a specific site as cost effectively as possible with little thought of how the development can be integrated into the existing "urban" fabric of the community. While not exactly "woven" into the street and sidewalk network of Sherborn, Abbey Road works because it is connected to the pedestrian network through the Peace Park, which was a part of the Peace Abbey when it was operational.

Civico Development and Fenix Partners was the development team behind Abbey Road. Abbey Road was recognized in 2019 for professional excellence by the National Association of Homebuilders Builders (NAHB) with two coveted Best of American Living Awards in Las Vegas. The Abbey Road Development team was awarded four awards: Platinum for Best Multifamily up to 3 Stories, Gold Awards for Best 55+ Community, and Multifamily Community, and Gold Award for Historic Preservation/Restoration. Please see their website for more information.