NEI General Contracting Completes Salem School Buildings Conversion Project
Historic structures transformed into affordable housing and community gathering spaces
RANDOLPH, MA / ACCESS Newswire / June 23, 2026 /NEI General Contracting, an award-winning general contracting firm, announced today it has completed construction of the Salem School Buildings conversion project in historic Salem, Mass. The project involved taking two formerly abandoned schools and converting them into residential and community gathering spaces, with both structures providing much-needed affordable housing options for individuals, families, and older adults. The project 's developer is the North Shore CDC, who leases the buildings and land from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, and the architect is ICON Architecture, Inc.
Credit: Andy Ryan
NEI 's team oversaw a difficult renovation project as both buildings had been vacant for many years. Deteriorated structural components, water infiltration, and inadequate utilities were just some of the challenges the team faced. In addition, due to the historic nature of the structures, NEI 's team worked hard to preserve as many original details as possible, from windows to chalkboards to hardwood floors and ornamental trim. Recreating details that couldn 't be saved was also a priority, such as some of the classroom doors, along with integrating elevator service without distorting the historic character of the buildings.
Hawthorne Lofts features seven studios, 18 one-bedroom units, and four two-bedroom units with community art space and an artist preference for residents. Ten of the units are restricted to households earning up to 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and supported by the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, 14 units are restricted to households earning up to 60 percent of AMI and five units are restricted to households earning up to 80 percent of AMI.
The Residences at St. James features 11 studios, 19 one-bedroom units, and two two-bedroom units, all of which are restricted to households with at least one-member aged 62 or older. Eight of the apartments are restricted to households earning up to 30 percent of AMI and supported by the federal Section 8 housing subsidy, and 24 units are restricted to households earning up to 60 percent of AMI.
Credit: Andy Ryan
The emphasis on community space was a priority for North Shore CDC. Hawthorne Lofts features a 5,000 SF auditorium that provides ten studio pods for local artists to use. In addition, the former boiler room in the Residences at St. James was transformed by the NEI team into a community room with a kitchen for programming, such as coffee hours for the seniors who live in the building.
"We, along with the new residents, are grateful for the beautiful job that NEI has done with their high quality of work, " said Jennifer Kolodziej, Senior Project Manager, North Shore CDC. "They went above and beyond to get the project to the finish line, especially working very closely with the City of Salem so that we could move households into their new homes as soon as possible. We had a great experience working with NEI and could not be more pleased with how the project turned out. "
For more information on NEI 's residential portfolio, click here.
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About NEI General Contracting
NEI is a privately held company committed to affordable housing with extensive experience in ground-up, moderate rehab, elderly, veteran, historic rehab, historic tax credit and tax credit projects.
The company provides a full spectrum of general contracting and construction management services to clients throughout the United States. NEI has three regional offices, to help better serve its clients: Boston to serve the Northeast, Florida to serve the Southeast, and Texas to serve the Southwest.
Founded in 1998 on the principles of integrity and diligence, we have opened the door to over 37,000 newly homed and hopeful families, giving them a chance for a better quality of life. For more information, please visit www.neigc.com.
Media Contact
Jeff Lavery, Principal
Pedigree Public Relations
jefflavery@pedigreepr.com
508.361.7539
SOURCE: NEI
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