The New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. building, originally constructed in 1912, has undergone a transformation in recent years. Once a predominantly vacant structure, it has been rezoned and repurposed as a residential building. The building has quite the history, having served as a switching center for NET&T and previously owned by telecom company Consolidated Communications until it was acquired by developer Redfern Properties.
Initially, the redevelopment plans for the building, now known as Erlang, aimed to turn it into a dormitory for the Maine College of Art & Design. However, MECA decided to pass on this opportunity, leading to a shift in plans towards creating market-rate rental apartments, including studio and one-bedroom units.
MECA re-entered the picture as the building’s redevelopment was underway. They requested to lease apartments in the building for their students, beginning in the Spring 2023 semester. This unique twist resulted in the building becoming a blend of student and private residential housing.
Adding an intriguing dimension to the building’s history is the name “Erlang,” which carries significance in the world of telephony as a measurement unit commonly used in telecommunications. Additionally, Catherine Culley, Co-Founder/Partner of RedFern Properties, shared an intriguing detail about the building. When they first examined the property, which had mostly sat vacant since the 1980s, they discovered that the floors were color-coded. In the stairwell, pink indicated areas where women worked, while blue indicated areas where men worked, providing a glimpse into the building’s past.