Stevens Square Condos in Portland, Maine
Stevens Square condos in Portland, Maine are progressing rapidly. The Stevens Square Community Center continues to expand with new phases of construction coming soon. And while the close-knit vibrancy of the surrounding Deering Center neighborhood has never left, nearby businesses continue to safely reopen.
Read on for updates on construction plus snapshots of some of the exceptional neighborhood businesses just steps from Stevens Square.
Building One Takes Shape with Limited Availability Remaining
Building One is coming together. The windows went in last week. The Ticonderoga granite facade has been applied, soon to be topped by brick the rest of the way up.
The condominium homes of Stevens Square at Baxter Woods are just one part feature of a 19-acre master-planned development. Their architectural detail has been carefully designed to reflect the historic features of the gold-domed Motherhouse residences, the anchor of the campus built in 1909.
Stevens Square Condos in Portland Building One: Only Three Homes Left
Eighteen homeowners from Maine and around the country have decided to make Building One home. They will enjoy modern, low-maintenance condo living, under-building parking, an elevator, and common indoor and outdoor spaces like a roof deck, fire pits, and community gardens.
#407 is one of the three remaining homes. It’s a desirable top floor corner unit of approximately 1255 square feet. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private deck, storage, laundry, a mudroom, open living space within extra high ceilings and windows.
Campus Amenities That Support an Active Community Lifestyle
Stevens Square at Baxter Woods enjoys unique direct access to green space in the heart of Portland. It also features growing gathering, fitness, dining, and entertainment amenities.
While Baxter Woods bookends one side of the 19-acre campus, the Stevens Square Community Center holds down the other end.
The Stevens Square Community Center is a thoughtful repurposing of the 50,000 square foot former Maine Girls’ Academy and McAuley High School by award-winning Developer Kevin Bunker.
The Community Center is already home to a 480-seat auditorium and a gymnasium. Construction is starting soon on the next phases, including a fitness and wellness center with an indoor pool, a cafe, and offices in former classrooms available for other compatible small businesses.
Businesses Remain Vital with Neighborhood Support and Careful Protocols
Deering Center is an exceptional neighborhood. It’s tree-lined village atmosphere and small-town vibe belie the fact that it is less than two miles from downtown Portland, widely considered one of the greatest small cities in America.
Within a half-mile of Stevens Square are numerous interesting locally owned businesses. The fact that each has been able to adapt, survive, and reopen over the last six months is largely attributable to the Deering Center community rallying around them.
Proving the point, the Handiwork Studio and Market amazingly launched in March. They say it best:
“We’re a community creativity hub. A neighborhood makery. A nifty little shop full of beautiful and useful things. Our mission is to hold space for people to explore their crafty interests in a low-pressure environment and provide a retail platform for local makers to sell their work.”
While Handiwork has had to postpone plans for classes in their studio, they have been able to host some outside as well as organize socially distanced outdoor “Rock the Block” celebrations.
Meanwhile, their retail shop is thriving. Almost all of their interesting inventory is made by local community members within two miles of the shop!
Popular gathering spot Rwanda Bean Coffee was forced to temporarily close in March. The owners took advantage of the downtime to make some renovations to their space. As summer arrived, they reopened with a take out window and cemented their popularity by adding ice cream to their repertoire.
The Quality Shop remained an essential open neighborhood anchor throughout, as it has in its current location since 1970. It’s famous for its pizza, sandwiches, baked goods, and conveniences.
After a temporary closure, Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill is open for outdoor dining and curbside pickup. They were recently named Best Kept Secret by the popular Frannie Eats Maine food blog.
If you would rather cook for yourself, Pat’s Meat Market is a great place to pick up meat, fresh produce, and gourmet food items. You’ll be served by the Vacchiano family who has operated meat markets in Portland since 1917.
The Honey Exchange is a super interesting place! It’s a store that expresses its admiration for everything honeybees do for the planet. It’s a central place where beekeepers can extract their honey conveniently, and buy the equipment they need for their apiaries. They also offer educational programs and retail products like honey, skincare, and home accessories.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the difference. Like Roy’s Shoe Shop. Founded in 1923, Roy’s remains a full-service shoe repair shop. They specialize in soles, heels, stitching, and patching and also sell belts, innersoles, and shoe care products. Curbside service is available!
And for “desirable non-essentials,” Darby Jones, is just a cool, eclectic place you must check out. It’s got a little bit of everything, all really neat stuff.
Smart Growth That Fits in and Revitalizes
Stevens Square at Baxter Woods is a textbook example of smart growth development, use of existing infrastructure, repurposing of historic buildings, responsible land use, and walkability. Learn more here: