Worcester Received Grant for Denholm Building Demolition

The city was awarded a $3 million state grant to clear the site at 484 Main St. for future residential development.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Commercial

Screen-print poster illustration showing a weathered brick building and an industrial crane against a cloudy sky, representing urban renewal in Worcester. — Worcester has secured a $3 million state grant through the MassWorks Infrastructure Program to fund the demolition of the historic Denholm building. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Worcester has secured a $3 million grant through the MassWorks Infrastructure Program to help fund the demolition of the historic Denholm building. This project aims to transform the 484 Main St. location into a new mixed-use housing development.

Why it matters

The funding serves as a vital catalyst for urban renewal in downtown Worcester, providing the necessary capital to clear a long-vacant site for new housing inventory. This initiative aligns with local efforts to repurpose aging infrastructure to meet contemporary apartment needs.

The development plan requires a minimum of 175 apartments at the site, with current proposals exploring either 175 or 187 units. The Denholm building has remained largely unused since the Denholm & McKay Co. department store closed in 1973.

The players

Menkiti Group

This real estate investment and development firm based in Washington, D.C. is responsible for the redevelopment of the Denholm building site.

MassWorks Infrastructure Program

This Massachusetts state initiative provides grant funding to municipalities to support public infrastructure projects that promote private development.

Denholm & McKay Co.

This historic department store operated at the 484 Main St. site until its closure in 1973.

The details

The Menkiti Group, a Washington, D.C.-based developer, is leading the project to replace the former department store with a mixed-use apartment complex. City officials applied for the funding through the Community One Stop for Growth portal to move the redevelopment forward.

The Denholm & McKay Co. department store closed its doors in 1973.
The Community One Stop for Growth portal began funding Worcester projects in 2022.
The developer presented unit options to the Redevelopment Authority on August 20, 2026.
A definitive site plan is expected to be submitted in October 2026.
Demolition of the Denholm building is slated to occur in 2027.

Roadmap

The demolition of the Denholm building reflects a broader shift toward urban revitalization where municipalities prioritize the removal of aging commercial relics to expand residential housing. This project follows the pattern established by the MassWorks Infrastructure Program in supporting major urban renewal through targeted infrastructure grants.

The demolition and subsequent redevelopment of the 484 Main St. site will significantly alter the downtown streetscape and increase local housing supply. Residents can expect site activity to ramp up following the planned submission of site plans in late 2026.

The takeaway

The transformation of the Denholm building highlights how state infrastructure funding can bridge the gap between historic building abandonment and modern urban density. Developers often rely on these public-private partnerships to make the financial costs of complex demolition projects viable.