Mainebiz

V O L . X X X N O. V I M A R C H 1 8 , 2 0 2 4 20 ainebiz: How did the idea for Maine's tallest building start to take shape? Jonathan and Catherine Culley: Our longtime partner Drew Sigfridson [of the Boulos Co.] came to us with the idea. He and some partners had just closed on the purchase of the entire block bounded by Congress, Exchange, Federal and Temple. e Federal Street side of the prop- erty had a couple parking lots and an unsuccessful and deteriorating outdoor plaza. Drew asked if we thought we could build some hous- ing on that corner of the site — he was thinking four or five stories. We immediately saw this as an opportunity to do something big and bold. e location near the top of the Old Port is perfect both for housing and for a tall building. We quickly arrived at an 18-story building, which required only a subtle zone change. MB: Was the city initially receptive to the idea? J&CC: To the city's credit, they were very receptive. e need for rental housing is well understood and city staff, the Planning Board and the City Council were united in support. Interestingly, of the roughly 10 major projects Redfern has done in Portland, this one received the least public resis- tance. ere is almost always someone who shows up resisting the change that new buildings bring about. But this building being in a commer- cial district meant that there was no A signature building, yes. But much-needed housing as well Jonathan and Catherine Culley haven't shied from developing housing in Portland B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT LEADERS Jonathan and Catherine Culley Redfern Properties Redfern Properties liveredfern.com 120 Exchange St., Suite 330, Portland What it does: Development mixed- use projects. Portfolio: Buildings include the Casco, Nightingale, Erlang, Hiawatha, 89 Anderson, West End Place and Redfern Mews Jonathan and Catherine Culley, who lead Redfern Properties, have long flown under the radar as Portland developers. But the development of the Casco, at 201 Federal St. in downtown Portland, is a major undertaking in many ways, not the least of which was getting approval for what would become Maine's tallest building, at 18 stories. More significantly, the building will have 263 much-needed apartments. Another project is the redevelopment of a former hospital site in Portland, with 165 units already in place. Along with a third project, Redfern has added about 500 apartments in the past six months alone. At a time when developers have gotten increasingly frustrated by Portland's regulations, the Culleys have redoubled their commitment to developing housing in the city. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 2 » M

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