Part of Sanford Maine’s Historic Millyard, Stenton Trust is an abandoned former textile manufacturing facility built in the 1920’s. The 13 River Street building overlooks Number One Pond and is a short walk to the center of downtown. In 2017, a large fire engulfed and badly damaged portions of the building, requiring the demolition of one of the towers and the central, saw-tooth middle portion of the structure.
The fire substantially reduced the building’s immense size, ironically making it more viable for adaptive reuse and right-sized to the local market. Following substantial clean up by the Environmental Protection Agency, the building is re-oriented towards the downtown core and the large lower-level parking area that is slightly below grade. A new circulation armature facilitates movement and addresses changes in elevation, recalling the steel roof structure that was once present. Two outdoor plazas anchor the walkway arcade on either end of the site.
Preliminary plans have been drawn up for 100 units of workforce housing and a small commercial component. The development is seeking funding.
- Weston&Sampson
Winn Development
Project Evolution
The rehabilitation of Stenton Trust advances Sanford’s Brownfields Area Wide work by placing a vacant and derelict mill back into productive use. Located on the northern edge of the Sanford Mills Historic District, the existing West tower (not destroyed by the fire) occupies a prominent site overlooking Number One Pond and the Mousam River. A new circulation spine provides a continuous canopy that negotiates the change in grade between the lower level parking and the ground level. Long term opportunities reside in covering the parking area and adding new residential units on the grid of the former East Tower.