Copper Mill cancels Davis Square residential tower project

Developer Copper Mill has announced it will not proceed with a planned 500-unit residential tower in Davis Square, Somerville. The project would have replaced several storefronts, including the long-standing Burren Pub, with a high-rise building.

Andrew Flynn, founder of Copper Mill, cited a “constant lack of direction from city leadership” over the last three years as the reason for abandoning the project. In a letter to the Davis Square Neighborhood Council, Flynn described the guidance from city officials as misleading and contradictory.

The proposal faced significant local opposition. While supporters argued the high-density development near an MBTA station would help address the regional housing shortage, many residents objected to the building's height and the potential for increased gentrification. The owner of the Burren Pub, Tommy McCarthy, expressed that he was not surprised by the project's failure, noting the intense resident feedback against the development.

Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson dismissed the developer's claims, calling the statement “in a word, laughable” and maintaining that the administration is committed to working with developers.