Historic district changes approved for 17 Water Street project

Claremont’s Planning Board advanced a historic district change tied to 17 Water Street, part of a plan to turn the Monadnock Mill into housing at the edge of downtown and along the Sugar River. The June 22 action centers on whether the building can be reused for new apartments while keeping outside changes under review in the Claremont Historic District.

The public notice listed 1852 MB Claremont LLC of Darien, Connecticut, for site plan review of a 25-unit multifamily residential conversion at 17 Water Street, Tax Map 120 Lot 8, in the MU zoning district. Project details call for about 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments, financed by Franklin Savings Bank, with occupancy targeted for mid-2027.

A recommendation memo from the New Hampshire Council on Resources and Development identified 17 Water Street as the Monadnock Mill building, a four-story office building on 0.25 acres abutting the Sugar River. It was constructed in 1840 and used for state offices until spring 2024, when the last state agency moved out. The structure is roughly 32,000 square feet and began as part of the Monadnock Mills textile operation before Claremont transferred it to the state in 1980 for office use.

The city’s Historic District Commission reviews exterior development proposals within the district, including changes to existing structures, signs and landscaping. Any exterior work at 17 Water Street will have to fit the rules that protect the district’s character.

In August 2025, Claremont approved a purchase-and-sales agreement with 1852 MB Funds for $1,015,000, then renegotiated after a more comprehensive inspection found additional repair needs, especially on the river-facing side. The final sale price was $807,000.

Mayor Dale Girard has called the project “badly needed” and said it would help address Claremont’s housing needs.