There is an abundance of empty office space in Portland and an insufficient supply of housing. So the developers of 50 Monument Square, the Lancaster Building, have filed an application with Portland to convert the upper floors into market rate housing. Extensive renovations will need to be done before they can be occupied. Twenty-one units are currently expected to be developed into studio, one and two bedroom units.

The building was constructed in 1881 and enlarged in 1908. The name, Lancaster Building, is the name of the New Hampshire hometown of the building, J. N. Brown.

For more information, please contact city Planner Jean Fraser, at 207 874 – 8728 or email her at: jf@portlandmaine.gov