Cheney Mill Dye House

Located in the Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark District, the Dye House is a classic example of brick and timber mill construction of the early 20th century. The mill had been vacant for decades, and its deterioration was a source of blight and an ever-present reminder of economic loss. The conversion of the building involved a comprehensive rehabilitation project that met the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation for Historic Buildings and created 57 apartments, a mix of one, two and three bedroom units, that retain the building’s historic character.

This project demonstrates that relics of the industrial past can become elegant solutions to present challenges. Given the failed previous redevelopment proposals for this property, this success is a testament to the creativity and innovation of the project team; the support of local, state and federal stakeholders; and the effective finance model.

Due to our commitment to meet historic standards, the quality of this project far exceeds surrounding housing in the region. In addition, it is located within the mixed-income housing complex of the restored Cheney mills, making residents part of an active community that has access to amenities, public transportation, and downtown Manchester. The Dye House Apartments is the pride of the South Manchester community, providing an exceptional model for the adaptive re-use of abandoned industrial architecture, innovative financing, and high-quality housing for income-qualified renters.

This project utilized Federal and State Historic Tax credits.