Published October 11, 2023

53 Green Street

Written by Andrew Samonas

To learn more about what the planning, approval stages, timelines, and what final sites will look like for this development click here for the Portsmouth town planning site.

53 Green Street - North Mill Pond

Approval Stage

Acceptance/Completion TBD

Collaboration was Key...

Jeff Johnston, for commercial real estate developer, Cathartes said, “We are happy with the results of what was a collaborative process with the HDC to create a signature gateway building into the city that respects Portsmouth’s history while embracing its vibrancy,” Johnston said. The project will also include a public art installation near the greenway that will be done in coordination with 3S Artspace. The building’s north-side design which will face North Mill Pond came about after studying several options for a signature Portsmouth style, this curved nautical form emerged as the preferred identity for this location. Documents filed with the city showed floor plans for one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments in the development.

North Mill Pond Project Faces Rehearing

A group of residents, led by Portsmouth lawyer Duncan MacCallum, are appealing the approval of the development project, claiming the Planning Board misinterpreted the city's zoning ordinance. The project was granted site plan approval and a wetlands CUP, but the group argues it does not meet all criteria required by the ordinance. The Zoning Board of Adjustment issued a rehearing, but the developers' attorney argues the decision was made after the deadline had passed and the Planning Board no longer had jurisdiction. Developers are now claiming in a lawsuit that some board members acted in "bad faith" to stop the project and that they had already received all necessary approvals from the Planning Board. They’re now requesting the court to decide what is outside the scope of the land use boards. The project is still being reviewed by the city's Historic District Commission.

To learn more about what the planning, approval stages, timelines, and what final sites will look like for this development click here for the Portsmouth town planning site.