Historic Board approves exterior rehabilitation for former Lowell Manufacturing building at 246 Market Street; developer to convert it into 27 apartments

The Lowell Historic Board voted April 14 to approve an exterior rehabilitation permit for 246 Market Street, allowing Turbine Building LLC to convert the former Lowell Manufacturing powerhouse into 27 residential units while preserving and restoring significant exterior features.

The decision clears the way for a redevelopment the applicant said will restore the building’s historic front façade, replace long-deteriorated windows and add residential uses to the three high-volume floors that formerly housed turbines and factory operations.

Developer Kenny, who identified himself as the project developer for Turbine Building LLC, told the board the plan recreates the front wood window detailing with aluminum window systems that match the original profiles and will convert large interior spaces into six units per floor with new floors added within the tall original volumes. “So we're converting them into 27 apartments units,” Kenny said during the presentation.

Architect Rainer Koch, who described the building as a former hydroelectric…