Grand Opening of New Apartments at 25 Canal Residential Lofts

Dateline: July 25, 2023

On September 2nd, 2020, One Wall Allenstown, LLC, a Brady Sullivan Company, received conditional approval of their site plan from the Allenstown Planning Board, allowing them to proceed to convert the historic, 510 foot long, China Mill on Canal St. into about 150 upscale apartments including numerous amenities. This approval concluded a long series of meetings and discussions that began in April 2019.

The impact of this project will be a significant growth in Allenstown's downtown population. At the early stages of the project, the company acknowledged that the project has the ability to attract a vast range of renters including young professionals and retired people. A positive result is that this growth will bring in additional revenue to the town and additional demand for local goods and services. It is anticipated that the town government and local businesses will support this growth.

Now after over two years of extensive renovations, including the pouring of approximately 525 cubic yards of concrete into the first floor, the four-story China Mill experienced a Grand Opening as 25 Canal Residential Lofts. The company acknowledged that this exciting project could not have happened without the help of their many friends and partners in the Allenstown community, their steadfast vendors, and their dedicated employees.

Day of the Event

On Thursday July 20, temps in the 80s and bright clear skies did not deter at least 100 Allenstown officials and residents from attending the Grand Opening. The old mill looked fabulous and was decorated with a huge American flag that actually covered windows on all four floors.

Ashley Severs, Marketing Coordinator for Brady Sullivan Properties, informed this reporter that "The flag is a 90x50 foot replica of the "Great Flag" that was produced by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in 1914 and displayed by mill workers in the Manchester Mill Yard all those years ago. The Great Flag went missing after appearing at a New York City parade in 1916. Brady Sullivan purchased this once around 2012. We use this flag for all our Grand Openings."

Two canopied booths were set up to hand out artfully designed name cards (see below) and goodies such as cold bottled water, beautifully designed cookies, and sunglasses. Kathy Frost worked the name tag booth and her name made me feel a little cooler. When asked about the source for the cookies, Ms. Severs said, "The cookies came from Wicked Good Cookies in Massachusetts. We use them for all of our events."

While waiting for the ceremony to begin, people mingled and chatted.

Police Chief Michael Stark, Selectman Sandy McKenney, and other town notables could be encountered while walking about.

The Ceremony Begins

 The event started shortly after 12 noon when attendees were asked to gather around a podium and PA system.

To our amazement, singer Todd Angilly belted out a resounding A Capella rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. After meeting up with him later to thank him for his excellent performance, he noted that he was the Anthem Singer for the Boston Bruins. Thank you, Brady Sullivan, for engaging such talent!

 Next up was Arthur Sullivan, a Principal Partner of the business, who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

As attendees looked on, Mr. Sullivan then recounted the years of hard work and then went through a detailed list of all the materials and equipment that went into the conversion of the mill into 150 luxury apartments. He also named and thanked the many people and businesses who contributed to the project.

 Next to speak was Scott McDonald, Chairman of the Select Board, who opened with these powerful statements.

"This day has been a long time coming – four years from start to finish. A special thanks to our Allenstown voters who in 2019 voted to rezone this property from industrial to residential/commercial and extend the RSA 79-E Tax Exemption district to 25 Canal St. I don't think we'd be standing here today without the wisdom of their votes. The rezoning and extension of 79-E was a powerful incentive to help attract developers, and I think it's fair to say the town hit the jackpot with Brady Sullivan, a well-known and highly respected real estate company and developer."

He made a point of thanking several people for their hard work and perseverance:
"Our Building Inspector/Code Enforcement officer Brian Arsenault.
"Our Fire Department inspectors Steve LaPorte and Loring Child.
"Our Sewer Plant Superintendent Jeff Backman.
"The onsite project manager for Brady Sullivan, Larry St. Pierre."

He closed by emphasizing that "the residents of Allenstown are extremely grateful to Brady Sullivan for making one of the largest private investments in our town's history! Our old China Mill will stand for many more years, a testament to a successful and mutually beneficial public/private partnership!"

Armand Verville was next at the podium. He told us that "The China Mill was built in 1868, as the third mill to be built in the Suncook Village. At 510 feet long, it was the largest building under one roof in the State."

Significant features were the two large cupolas atop the front wall, with a 1500 pound bell inside one. The bell was rung at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to signal the start and end of the work day. After damage from a severe storm in 1936, the bell and the cupolas were removed to be repaired. Instead, the cupolas ended up in Littleton, NH and the bell in Vietnam (who'd a thunk that?). His wish was this: "The Allenstown New Hampshire Historical Society would love to see the cupolas rebuilt on the mill."

He also let us know about a personal connection he and his family had with the mill.

"My parents met and were later married while both were working at the mill. Most of my aunts and uncles worked there. When I was around 6 to 10 years old, I brought lunches to my aunt and uncle who were the last ones from that generation still working at the China Mill. By then my dad worked as a carpenter and my mom stayed at home."

He ended his remarks with these words of praise and thanks: "Brady Sullivan has breathed new life into the historic mill. Without this rehabilitation the building may not have survived much longer. The project is truly beautiful and is a great addition to the Town of Allenstown and Suncook Village. Thank you!"

 The final activity was what might be called a Rolled Out Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Armand Verville and Scott McDonald held each end of the Grand Opening Ribbon while Arthur Sullivan approached with a humongous pair of scissors that went "SNIP!"

Attendees were to be invited around the rear of the mill for light refreshments and a tour of the facility, now known as 25 Canal Residential Lofts.

The website for the facility invites you to discover this new apartment community with these words:

"25 Canal has been modernized, offering spacious 1 to 3 bedroom mill-style apartment homes. These animal-friendly units are charming with sleek, modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances, in-unit washer/dryer, central air, bright over-sized windows, and exposed brick and beams.

"25 Canal is nestled along the Suncook River in Allenstown, a quaint little town centrally located between Concord and Manchester.

"In addition to the wooded views, 25 Canal residents also enjoy an assortment of tastefully appointed amenities such as state-of-the-art theater room, indoor putting green, onsite fitness center, game room, roof top deck, and so much more!"

Currently about 36% of the units have been leased according to Ms. Severs, which is remarkable for a new apartment complex. The web site provides choices of floor plans, with the one bedroom, one bath unit priced at $1600/month.

What You Can Do

Get ready to welcome a whole new neighborhood to our community.

Go to the 25 Canal web site to learn about the apartments and the amenities that are offered.

This story was originally published on allenstown-alt.org.