rate houses on the property brings the total to 13 affordable housing units . Construction will start in late-summer , assuming funding needs are met , with apartments ready for tenants in 2026 and the houses earlier than that .
Jordahl leads us into the Main House , noting that the façade of the buildings will not change — a stipulation from the town . Gilded Age details abound , including antique hardware , impressive woodwork , and , of course , gorgeous fireplaces . The center hall will become a Gallery Hall , with artwork loaned by Berkshire artists , including Shawn Fields , Kathryn Freeman , Maurice “ Pops ” Peterson , Gail Gelburd , and Laura Christensen . Local landscapers are donating time and resources to create an outdoor space worthy of what lies within .
It ’ s not clear at this point how Cassilis ’ two large barns will play into Construct ’ s future housing plans , but it ’ s easy to imagine more transformation , as well as new construction at some point down the road .
Construct and the New Marlborough Housing Development Committee bought the 27-acre property in 2022 at an auction . The town currently has no affordable housing , so this is a step to meeting the state mandate that requires all 351 towns and cities in the Commonwealth maintain at least 10 percent of their total year-round housing stock as affordable . According to the Citizens Housing and Planning Association , 71 communities in Massachusetts currently meet that goal ,
including Pittsfield , Great Barrington , and Stockbridge .
The Cassilis Farm Designer Showcase launch party takes place on May 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p . m . Partygoers will meet the designers as they tour the house , enjoy appetizers and drinks provided by Old Inn on the Green , and listen to an impressive lineup of speakers . Tickets are $ 250 . General admission is $ 40 , Fridays to Sundays from 11 a . m . to 4 p . m . during the month of June .
“ This is the most important era for these grand estates ,” says Cassilis Project Manager Nichole Dupont , “ and Construct sees the opportunity to develop a new meaning .”
Construct Executive Director Jane Ralph sees Cassilis as a win-win . “ Not only are we going to transform a Gilded Age mansion to affordable housing while keeping the Gilded Age Mansion look , but I hope we ’ re also going to transform people ' s understanding of what affordable housing is and who we serve . It is a better visibility opportunity than I could have imagined .
“ We have over 385 households on our waitlist for about 90 units of housing that we own or manage . What we hope to achieve through the Designer Showcase is to raise the rest of the private equity that we need for the project , about $ 600,000 . What would be really great is if we not only raised the money for Cassilis , but also an opportunity fund so that when a property became available , we could move quickly .” That opportunity could be another Windflower , the Great Barrington inn that Construct bought in 2018 and turned into 13 living spaces .
According to Ralph , most of Construct ’ s housing is for people with incomes 30 to 60 percent of Area Median Income ( AMI ). Anyone at or below 80 percent AMI is eligible for Affordable Housing , and Workforce Housing is usually for those earning between 80 to 120 percent AMI . “ Affordable is relative ,” notes Ralph .
Indeed . Leigh Davis , vice chair of the Great Barrington Selectboard who is running for the state representative seat to be vacated by Smitty Pignatelli , agrees that the Berkshires needs housing for everyone — not only affordable housing , but housing for those earning a decent wage , including teachers , firefighters , and nurses . While the average Great Barrington resident can afford a $ 350,000 house , the town ’ s median home price is $ 783,000 . Countywide , it ’ s around $ 475,000 , up from $ 250,000 in 2020 .
Davis is encouraged that people are paying attention . “ There is a lot of good work happening ,” she says . “ People are digging in and rowing in the same direction .” Governor Maura Healy ’ s recently proposed Affordable Homes Act ( AHA )—$ 4.4 billion for housing — is a game changer for the Berkshires , adds Davis .
Beyond Beacon Hill , groups in the Berkshires are pulling together , raising awareness , and finding creative solutions that will make a difference .
The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire recently
GAVIN PREUSS
GREGORY CHERIN
A grouping of some of the designers in the Designer Showcase that will happen at Cassilis Farm in New Marlborough for five weekends in June . From left , Debbie Shippee , Sue Schwarz , Luca Shapiro , Rosalind Wright , Rachel Duchesne , Danielle Sweet , Carly Shafiroff , Emma Simms- Biggs , Valerie Winig , Irwin Feld , Marlene Graells , Carrie Herrington , Hannah Herrick , Elizabeth Powell , Dawn Trachtenberg , Christine Lebowitz , and Katelyn Brenner .
May Holiday / June 2024 2023 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // // 99