Largest housing project in Burlington’s history with 316 new units already completed, another 251 new units on schedule for opening in 2024, and a total 1,050 units planned by 2029
Burlington, Vt. – Today, Mayor Weinberger and Eric Farrell, Owner and Developer of Farrell Properties, signed an updated development agreement and provided an update on the Cambrian Rise housing development in Burlington’s North End. Cambrian Rise is the single largest housing development in Burlington and in Vermont.
"In Burlington we rarely get to see a whole new neighborhood rise out of the ground, and it is extraordinary that this development includes not only hundreds of new market rate and affordable homes, but a vibrant new public park, community space, and more,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “The only way to end the current housing crisis is to build our way out of it. I am grateful to Eric Farrell and his team, and the many contractors, builders, and partners who are here every day turning this community vision into a reality.”
The Cambrian Rise site is currently permitted for 950 units of housing in 14 buildings, the new development agreement removes the 950-unit cap, and now 1,050 units are anticipated. Already, 316 units have been completed (including 128 inclusionary housing units) and 251 units are under construction. Full build-out of the site is anticipated for 2029, and Farrell anticipates the negotiated greenway connection to be constructed later this year.
“Cambrian Rise is already a dynamic new mixed-income, mixed-use, inclusive, pet-friendly neighborhood where our residents can live, work, grow and play on the shores of Lake Champlain,” said developer Eric Farrell, “And, we’re not done yet! We continue to work with the City on our plans for future buildings on site and even more amenities so that hundreds more Burlingtonians can call Cambrian Rise home.”
About Cambrian Rise
Cambrian Rise is a permitted multiphase development of a new neighborhood across approximately 21.65 acres. The project is located on North Ave alongside Lake Champlain, the site of the former St. Joseph’s Orphanage , and is an area long targeted by the City for intensified development. The Neighborhood Activity Center (NAC) – Cambrian Rise (CR) District is a zoning designation for mixed-use development that allows for a range of housing types and tenures, and accommodates a diverse range of complimentary general office, institutional and neighborhood-oriented, small-scale retail service uses.
Completed buildings at Cambrian Rise include:
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The Rise: 105 apartments and 10,000 sq ft of commercial space
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Liberty House: 64 apartments and one condominium in the renovated historic building
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Juniper House: 70 affordable apartments for adults over 55 years old, developed by Cathedral Square
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Laurentide: 76 affordable apartments developed by Champlain Housing Trust
Sunset House, currently under construction, will be completed in June and includes 134 apartments, plus generous common amenity spaces, including a co-working Library, Club Room, Fitness Center, Bicycle Repair Shop, bicycle and kayak/canoe storage and a Pet Wash Station.
Also under construction is One25, a 117-unit building being developed by Scott Ireland, scheduled for completion this Fall. One25 will offer both apartments and homeownership units.
Connection to Burlington Greenway, Red Stone Cottage and Kieslich Park
In October 2021, Mayor Weinberger announced the name of Burlington’s newest park, Kieslich Park, and plans to renovate the now-completed Red Stone Cottage which houses the City’s conservation team and programs.
The original Cambrian Rise development agreement secured 12 acres of conserved waterfront land and connection to the Waterfront and Greenway, preserving 43% of the original property for open space, protecting it from future development. The $2 million purchase price of the land, after Burlington College closed, was made possible with the use of several funding sources including: the Burlington Conservation Legacy Fund, Vermont Housing and Conservation Fund, the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program, and private donations from John Hoehl and family, facilitated with significant support from the Vermont Land Trust, Champlain Housing Trust, and the Parks Foundation of Burlington.
Today, the park is a hub of activity and home to the Lakeview Community Garden and Red Stone Cottage. The original cottage was designed by architect Frank Lyman Austin for Dr. Walker D Berry and was constructed of local redstone and surrounded by porches. Recently completed renovations to the building designed by architect Jay White, created space for public use, including meeting rooms, public computer access, restrooms, and nature-focused education programs, and restored some of the porches and created a glass-walled walkway linking the old and new parts of the building. The Red Stone Cottage, is currently used as office space for the Conservation Team.
In the original Development Agreement, Cambrian Rise developers are responsible for constructing a public and ADA accessible connection path between Cambrian Rise and the Burlington Greenway. In August of 2020, the City negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement, to clearly obligate the path be built based on the City’s 30% conceptual design drawings, and in this Second Amendment to the Development Agreement, construction of this important connection is anticipated by the end of this year.
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