PROJECT OVERVIEW
Site: Crescent Lot and Federal Street Courthouse Complex
Developer: WinnCompanies
New Construction: The Exchange, mixed-use residential building (115 apartments)
Historic Buildings: Salem Superior Courthouse and County Commissioner’s buildings
Review Process: City planning and design review processes
The Crescent Lot and Federal Street Courthouses redevelopment involves two closely connected components in downtown Salem.
The project includes the construction of a new residential building on the former Crescent Lot, next to the MBTA station, and the adaptive reuse of the 1841 County Commissioner’s building and the 1891 Salem Superior Courthouse along Federal Street.
The Crescent Lot, formerly a municipal surface parking lot serving the courthouse complex and downtown area, was sold by the City of Salem as part of an agreement intended to facilitate the rehabilitation and reuse of the courthouse buildings after court operations relocated to the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center in 2011 farther down Federal St.
Construction of the new residential building, known as The Exchange, began in late 2025. The project includes 115 apartment units and ground-floor commercial space. The redevelopment of the historic courthouse structures remains a separate but connected component of the broader agreement with proposed affordable units in the County Commissioner’s Building.
WHY IT MATTERS
The Federal Street courthouse complex includes several architecturally significant civic buildings that have played a central role in Salem’s civic life for generations but have sat vacant for over a decade.
Their future presents an important preservation opportunity as these historic buildings transition to new uses.
Historic Salem, Inc (HSI). has participated in public discussions surrounding the redevelopment of this block and has emphasized the importance of ensuring that the rehabilitation of the courthouse buildings remains a central outcome of the project. The City’s decision to transfer the Crescent Lot created a valuable development opportunity with the expectation that it would support the adaptive reuse of these historic civic structures.
HSI has also engaged in the design review process for The Exchange, advocating for facade materials and colors that better integrate the new building into the surrounding historic streetscape. Members of the organization participated in multiple site visits to review exterior material samples and provided written feedback to the City regarding the proposed siding and color palette. This collaborative process helped refine the building’s exterior treatment so that it more appropriately relates to the architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood.
As construction of The Exchange moves forward, the long-term preservation and reuse of the courthouse buildings remains an important priority. HSI continues to monitor the project and the associated planning processes to ensure that the commitments made regarding the courthouse redevelopment are realized and that the final outcome respects the architectural and civic significance of this historic complex.
Have questions or want to stay informed? Community voices play an important role in shaping Salem’s future.
Here’s how you can help:
