At this week’s BisNow Worcester State of the Market, Worcester Director of Land Development Brittany Gesner joined a diverse group of developers, policymakers, and real estate experts to dive into the Worcester and Central Massachusetts commercial real estate market.
With nearly 1,600 new housing units breaking ground or under construction in 2026, Worcester is experiencing its largest development surge in decades. Noting the City’s relative affordability as a driving factor, Realtor.com ranked Worcester as the #3 top-growing housing market in the country for 2026, with a 12.6 percent projected home sale increase.
Speaking on the panel “Building and Design Trends for Worcester’s Assets,” Brittany shared insights on the cost pressures, design trends, and development decisions that are shaping the City’s built environment. She discussed how Massachusetts’ proposed rent control initiative and new energy codes could impact future developments and how the City is balancing its abundant water and sewer capacity with the high cost of required electric infrastructure improvements.
"The City of Worcester is creative and proactive in finding ways to advance development projects,” said Brittany. “They remain committed to supporting growth at every level.”
Brittany spotlighted several projects on which VHB has been working closely with developers and owners to expedite design and review processes and deliver much-needed residential units. Construction is well underway on Chestnut Place, a first of its kind conversion project that will create a total of 220 market rate and affordable housing units; construction completion is scheduled for August 2026. VHB and WinnCompanies are continuing to advance the Worcester Boys Club Renovation, which will deliver a total of 80 affordable, age-restricted apartment homes—the first senior housing development in Worcester’s downtown area.
Brittany also emphasized the importance of aligning developer goals with local policy, pointing to VHB’s extensive experience collaborating with local agencies to advance housing goals through meaningful policy initiatives. MassHousing recently selected VHB to support Worcester in developing a comprehensive affordable housing data integration plan. Our team will evaluate how the City currently monitors the supply of affordable housing and will develop a roadmap to enable stronger, data-informed decision-making in support of proactive housing policy.
“Our goal is to drive more equitable housing outcomes citywide,” said Brittany. “With better informed data, we’ll make better informed decisions.”
Discover how VHB partners with municipalities and developers to create housing solutions that meet the diverse needs of our communities.
