Roslindale Triple Decker to Become 13-Unit Building

The Zoning Board of Appeal approved a plan to convert the vacant six-unit building at 4012 Washington St. into a five-story apartment building.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Commercial

Roslindale Triple Decker to Become 13-Unit Building

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The Zoning Board of Appeal approved plans today to convert the empty six-unit triple decker at 4012 Washington St. in Roslindale into a five-story building with 13 apartments. The developer, a Roslindale developer, bought the building for $2 million in March.

Why it matters

The project shows how Boston's Roslindale "Squares and Streets" zoning, approved last year, allows vertical and rear expansion of existing buildings as of right. The developer concluded residential tenants would be easier to find than commercial tenants, which may help bring new patrons to nearby businesses.

The plan increases the building from six units to 13 apartments, all with two or three bedrooms, across five stories. No zoning variances were required, though the developer needed a conditional permit to continue ground-floor residential use.

The players

Zoning Board of Appeal

The Boston city board that reviews and approves variances and development plans that deviate from or interpret local zoning rules.

Guira & Tambora

A restaurant located next to the proposed development site in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston.

The details

The building will be expanded vertically and with rear extensions, and because it already has ground-floor residential space, the change is not a new use. The adjacent restaurant Guira & Tambora sits next to the site.

March: Developer bought the building for $2 million.
Last year: Roslindale "Squares and Streets" zoning was approved.
Today (November 10, 2026): Zoning Board of Appeal approved the conversion plans.

Market Landscape

The approval reflects Boston's Squares and Streets zoning, which allows expansion of existing neighborhood buildings without variances. Developers are using that flexibility to add housing density in neighborhood commercial districts rather than building new structures from scratch.

Roslindale residents may see more apartments and new neighbors in the area once the building is converted. Nearby businesses like Guira & Tambora could gain new customers from the added households.

The takeaway

Existing buildings in Boston's neighborhood districts may be expanded more easily under current zoning, which can add housing without new construction. The change shows how zoning rules shape which buildings get converted and how many people live there.