Developer Jonathan Cohen, in partnership with 185 Commercial Street LLC, acquired the property at 185 Commercial Street in 2021, as indicated by records from the city of Portland. The parcel, presently a 4,000-square-foot parking lot between Dana and Moulton streets, was purchased for $1.3 million. Cohen’s vision for the lot entails the construction of a six-story mixed-use building.
The proposed structure is slated to span 21,000 square feet, featuring 5,440 square feet designated for retail purposes spread across the first and second floors, with residential units occupying the upper levels. Preliminary plans suggest the inclusion of a 1,200-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment, while the remaining four residential units are anticipated to range from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet, boasting expansive views of the waterfront and Commercial Street.
The project needed approval from the Portland Preservation Board because of the historical importance of the site. The new building will connect to the John C. Brooks Block, an old five-story brick commercial building from 1853, and it will have a narrow alley space between it and the three-story Guptill Block built in 1885.
Construction of the building is anticipated to be finished in 2025.
