WESTFORD – The Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center will be closing in December and will lay off all of its 62 employees.
According to a Massachusetts Workers Adjustment Retraining Notice (WARN) letter filed with the Massachusetts Department of Career Services on Oct. 16. by the hotel’s parent company Empire Hospitality LLC, the layoffs will take effect on Dec. 19.
In the letter, Empire Hospitality LLC said the staff affected by the layoffs will include 34 food and beverage employees, 15 housekeeping and maintenance employees, seven front desk workers, three administrators and three salespeople. The letter also said that no employees are represented by a union, and it is not clear whether they will be eligible for reassignment at other Empire Hospitality LLC hotel locations.
Located on 219 Littleton Rd., the Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center was opened in 1983, and was built on land that was once a pre-revolutionary working farm up until Interstate 495 was developed, according to the hotel’s website. “The Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center encompasses classic New England charm along with today’s modern day amenities. The original farmhouse still stands and houses two beautifully decorated and well-maintained long term stay apartments.”
The closure announcement comes as the hotel finalizes a sale of the property to development firm Redgate, with the sale set to close on Dec. 18.
According to a conceptual plan presented to the Town of Westford, Redgate plans to tear the current hotel building down and replace it with two four story multi-family buildings, containing around 300 new apartments, as the property is located within the Multi-Family Overlay District (MCMOD) passed by the town in accordance to the MBTA Communities Act. The town said the redevelopment is in accordance with Section 8.10.12(1)(a) of the Zoning Bylaw.
The project was discussed by town officials and residents during the Oct. 6 Planning Board Meeting.
During the meeting, attorney Melissa Robbins and Redgate presented a preliminary plan showcasing the design for the two new multi-family buildings, as well as a preservation of the historic Drew House at the hotel’s entrance. They said the project aims to create walkable housing with connections to nearby retail, bus stops, and trails.
Architect Amy Korte described the concept as a “modern farmhouse” design with sloped roofs, screened mechanicals, and electric, energy-efficient construction. “We really wanted to keep the Drew House and use the history of the site to inspire the design,” Korte said.
Planning Board members at the meeting were largely receptive to the plan, but raised concerns about the building scale and massing (particularly the length of “Building A”), the traffic and site circulation along Route 110, the fire access and the need for two entrances, the architectural style (balancing modern elements with Westford’s colonial character), the parking density and the snow storage.
“I like the sloped roofs, but I’d like to see the large building broken up,” Planning Board Chair Mike Bonenfant said.
“This site is more walkable than Powers Road. I’d consider fewer parking spaces if it helps reduce the mass,” Planning Board Member Dylan O’Connor added.
Jeff Morrissette, the assistant town manager, suggested that the board should engage planning consultant Dodson & Flinker under a 53G review to examine bylaw compliance and likely waiver needs before the design proceeds.
Westford Fire Chief Mike Denehy will also review access and roof safety.
Following the presentation, the Planning Board voted to move forward with the plan.
