The revitalization of Fitchburg’s downtown corridor will accelerate with the announcement of Fitchburg State University’s alliance with prominent developer GFI Partners to realize a transformative, mixed-use development in the heart of the city. The plans are attracting endorsements from city, state, and federal leaders who see their transformative potential.
Ground will be broken this spring on the 707 Main St. project that will revitalize the city center and address a crucial community need. New construction of multi-family, market-rate housing, along with retail and restaurant space, will be built where a long-vacant and deteriorating theater block now stands.
The resulting building will support the city’s need for additional housing stock, and will include parking spaces dedicated for city use.
“Downtown Fitchburg is not separate from Fitchburg State University. Our students walk these streets. Our employees live here. Our graduates build their lives here,” said President Hodge. “For nearly a decade, this block has represented both possibility and challenge. After careful review of the building’s condition, construction costs, and current market realities, it became clear that the most responsible path forward was one that directly addresses housing demand and sustained economic activity.
“This partnership brings meaningful private investment into the heart of the city while advancing a shared goal: more residents downtown, more storefront vitality, and a stronger regional economy,” she continued. “When Main Street is active and growing, it benefits our students, our workforce, and our entire campus community.”
GFI Partners is a real estate development firm with more than 30 years of experience. As a fully-integrated firm, the company works with tenants to find their ideal commercial real estate space, from concept to completion and beyond. Its property portfolio contains more than 20 million square feet of commercial properties across the United States. The company recently announced significant developments in the city of Worcester, including a major housing project near Polar Park.
The project is being supported by city, state and federal officials who recognize the key community needs being addressed.
"This initiative revitalizing Fitchburg's downtown is going to be a huge win for the local economy and for Fitchburg State University's ability to recruit and retain the best talent,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “Downtowns are essential for promoting small businesses growth, providing spaces for community to gather, and giving residents a lively and central place to live. We're grateful to Fitchburg State University for using this available space to build more housing, which will help us lower costs for people across the region."
"Investments in downtowns like these are essential for increasing the quality of life in Gateway Cities," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "As a former mayor of a Gateway City, I know how important it is to have a downtown that fuels our local economy. This investment from Fitchburg State will provide reasonably-priced housing for our workforce, encourage housing growth, and bring a new energy to Fitchburg."
“The redevelopment of the former Fitchburg Theater builds on the incredible momentum already underway in downtown Fitchburg,” said Ed Augustus, Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. “When I toured the site last spring, it was clear there is real energy and commitment behind this effort. Putting more people living downtown brings life to Main Street, supports local businesses and helps keep the district active beyond the workday.”
“Redeveloping this long-vacant property on Main Street has been a priority for years because of what it means for Fitchburg’s future,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “I have been proud to support efforts at the federal level to help move this project forward and unlock new housing, small business opportunities, and economic momentum in the heart of the city. This partnership between Fitchburg State University, the City of Fitchburg, and GFI Partners represents exactly the kind of collaboration that strengthens our Gateway Cities and revitalizes downtown corridors. I am grateful to President Hodge, Mayor Samantha Squailia, and our partners across all levels of government for their shared commitment to bringing new life and opportunity to downtown Fitchburg.”
“This project represents a historic investment to build housing for working families, revitalize Fitchburg, and further transform Main Street into a vibrant regional economic corridor and hub,” said State Sen. John Cronin. “Today’s agreement also shows the power of teamwork and public-private partnerships—how local, state, and federal leaders working together with the private sector has changed the trajectory of our city’s future. I am especially grateful to President Donna Hodge and her team at Fitchburg State for their commitment to move both the city and the university forward.”
“This project pairs the primary needs of our downtown by combining housing, commercial expansion and underutilized property development,” said State Rep. Michael Kushmerek. “After nearly three decades of stagnation, the theater block’s revitalization represents among the largest investments in Fitchburg’s Main Street this century and serves as a catalyst for the continued transformation of our city center.”
“Fitchburg’s needs today are clear: we need more downtown housing development, more commercial storefront opportunity, and increased investment that supports our thriving city center," Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia said. "This redevelopment will bring new life to a prominent and long underutilized site, creating new homes, new commercial space, and expanded parking spaces, contributing to our growing momentum that puts more heads in beds and more feet on our Main street. I appreciate Fitchburg State University’s continued partnership and the town and gown collaboration that keeps our forward progress moving. Because when the city, the university, and private partners work together, we get difficult projects done. More downtown apartments will also support the commercial investments already taking root on Main Street and throughout the district, helping those businesses succeed year round as our downtown continues to grow."
"This project will add much-needed housing units to the city's downtown housing inventory, in turn promoting economic activity and neighborhood revitalization," said Marc Dohan of NewVue Communities. "The project builds upon the work that NewVue and its development partners have been pursuing for years, and will strengthen the city and region. We appreciate the vision that Fitchburg State and GFI Partners have articulated with this plan, and join our city, state and federal partners in welcoming another transformative project to Main Street."
“There is strong momentum building in Fitchburg for a revitalized downtown area,” said Steve Goodman of GFI Partners. “GFI is excited to work with our state and federal leaders, the city, and President Hodge and the University, to redevelop the Theater Block parcels with a new mixed-use project, and continue our commitment to Fitchburg’s growth and resurgence.”
The Fitchburg State University Foundation purchased the former Fitchburg Theater in 2016. Substantial renovation followed, including the construction of studio space for its game design program, and the activation of storefronts since occupied by the Pauper’s Pantry restaurant and the Gallery Marquee artist exhibition space. The university relocated the game design studio this past fall and is assisting in the relocation of the gallery and Pauper’s Pantry, who were notified at the inception of their leases that their spaces would have to be vacated once the next phase of work on the block was ready to launch.
“We committed to working with our tenants to find new quarters in the city, and thank them for demonstrating the viability of downtown Fitchburg as a destination for recreation and leisure,” said President Hodge.
The original plans had attracted local, state and federal support for the project’s potential to transform downtown Fitchburg. Those dollars will still apply to the reimagined development, as the revitalized corridor will still result.
The former theater closed its doors in 1987. While the university’s original plans called for the renovation of the theater into a modern performing arts venue, a variety of factors in the intervening years made those aspirations untenable.
“Between soaring cost estimates, changing theatergoing habits since the pandemic, the evolving needs of the university and competing demands on its resources, the vision from 2016 is simply no longer viable,” said President Hodge, who became Fitchburg State’s 12th president in July 2024. “The new plan represents a significant private investment that will inject new vitality into this city. We are honored to be part of moving Fitchburg forward.”
About Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg State University is a public institution dedicated to integrating high-quality professional programs with strong liberal arts and sciences studies.
Founded in 1894, the university now has more than 30 undergraduate programs and 22 master's degree programs, and 6,000 full and part-time students.
About GFI Partners
GFI Partners is a tried and tested real estate development partner with more than 30 years of experience. As a fully-integrated firm, they work with tenants to find their ideal commercial real estate space, from concept to completion and beyond. Its property portfolio contains more than 20 million square feet of commercial properties across the United States.