Apartments at 75 Fifth Street
The stables on fifth.
In the heart of Fall River’s historic fabric, Upland Architects partnered with Fortified Realty to reimagine a 19th-century industrial building into a vibrant, community-centered multifamily residence. Located at 75 Fifth Street, this former horse stable—originally constructed in 1899 to house the working horses of the Cook & Durfee Ice Company—embodies the industrial legacy of Fall River, once hailed as the textile capital of the Northeast.
The building, with its mill-style architecture and rugged charm, served as the operational core of the City’s pre-refrigeration ice distribution network. As refrigeration technology advanced, buildings like this were gradually vacated, leaving behind beautifully crafted structures whose historical significance became overshadowed by their functional obsolescence. Today, this story is changing.
Recognizing both the historical significance and untapped potential of this 12,139-square-foot warehouse on a 0.32-acre site, Upland Architects proposed a bold adaptive reuse concept that addresses modern housing needs while honoring the building’s legacy. Approved for up to 27 bedrooms, the project directly responds to the national housing crisis. A 2022 study by the National Apartment Association and the National Multifamily Housing Council estimates that the U.S. must build 4.3 million new rental apartments in multifamily buildings by 2035 to meet demand. The Apartments at 75 Fifth Street contributes to that goal by thoughtfully transforming a former industrial stable into a vibrant, livable residential environment.
Positioned within a designated Opportunity Zone and surrounded by a City in the midst of revitalization, The Apartments at 75 Fifth Street is uniquely situated to contribute meaningfully to both urban renewal and affordable, community-oriented development.
Program and design.
The architectural design spans four floors of residential units, along with thoughtfully integrated amenities that encourage community connection and wellness. On the first floor, the plan includes two two-bedroom, one-bath apartments. This level also features a generous amenity suite designed for shared use, comprising a fitness center, a co-working space, a communal kitchen and dining area, and a lounge/ entertainment room equipped with a small theater, pool table, and foosball. These shared spaces aim to foster a sense of belonging and modern convenience for future residents.
The second floor continues with one two-bedroom, one-bath apartment and nine unique studio apartments, each with a distinct layout to accommodate various lifestyles. The third floor mirrors this diversity, offering one two-bedroom unit along with ten additional studio apartments in varied configurations. At the top, the fourth floor is home to five two-bedroom, one-bath apartments, each with its own rooftop balcony, offering private outdoor space and City views—an architectural nod to modern luxury within a historically grounded context.
Parking provisions for residents have also been thoughtfully planned. The development includes twelve basement-level garage spaces and twenty-one mostly covered outdoor spaces. Each studio apartment will be assigned one designated parking space, while every two-bedroom unit will have two dedicated spaces, ensuring convenience and accessibility.
Legacy, place and purpose.
Though currently paused while seeking funding partners, The Apartments at 75 Fifth Street remains a powerful example of Upland Architects and Fortified Realty's dedication to adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and neighborhood revitalization. This project exemplifies this partnership's belief that good architecture not only shapes buildings—but also reshapes communities, connects to history, and provides solutions to pressing societal needs like housing access.
Fall River’s past and future intersect here. And with the right support, The Apartments at 75 Fifth Street will transform a forgotten relic of the industrial era into a landmark of contemporary urban living.
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