New Condo Building Proposed at Corner of Essex and Vine

A developer hopes to erect a new four-story, 16-unit condominium at the corner of Essex and Vine Streets, a proposal that went before the Melrose Planning Board on Monday night.

According to Robert Bell, the attorney representing developer Tom McGrath of McGrath Enterprises, the building that is currently on the property at 185 Essex St. was built in the 1950s to be used as a small car dealership. Since then, a variety of commercial and industrial business have occupied the building, including the roofing company and dance studio that currently reside there.

The plan is to demolish the 7,800 square foot building and replace that with a roughly 5,900 square foot, four-story condominium. The building would house two bedroom and two- and one-bedroom condos, the smallest being slightly more than 1,000 square feet. A 26-car parking lot would be placed at the rear of the building, with an entrance from Vine Street.

The new building would be pulled back from the corner intersection—the current building is right up against the sidewalk—allowing better slight lines for both pedestrians and drivers at the intersection. The ground around the building, which is now largely paved, would be landscaped save for the parking lot. McGrath plans to construct the building itself in line with some of the larger, Victorian houses on Vine Street, having peaked and gabled roofs with shuttered windows.

“We’ve had very positive feedback from both our residential and commercial neighbors to the project,” said Bell, who speculates that the condos will appeal to people looking to downsize their living area without leaving Melrose.

Many Planning Board members seemed to favor the idea, but weren’t satisfied with the details.

“This has a cheap, ordinary feel to it that must be reversed before I can approve it,” said board member Ed Cassidy. Cassidy was against the Victorian design of the house, saying that he would prefer a stucco or brick exterior in line with the other larger buildings in the area.

The landscaping also spurred debate. The board was not satisfied with the idea of three-foot tall white vinyl picket fence lining the Essex and Vine corner, saying that it seemed out of place for both the area and the type of building being constructed.  

McGrath and his team took the suggestions into consideration and will present their changes to the board at their Aug. 8 meeting.