Reveler Development, in partnership with Avesta Housing and WNC & Associates, marked a milestone for affordable housing development in Maine with a topping out ceremony for The Bellwether. With 201 affordable apartments, The Bellwether is among the largest affordable housing developments in Maine and the largest ever in both Reveler and Avesta’s history.
“The Bellwether is an important first step in realizing our long-term vision for the Bayside Master Development Plan: transforming underutilized land into a connected, mixed-use neighborhood with much-needed housing, activity, and a stronger sense of place,” said John Laliberte, CEO of Reveler Development. “While this building will deliver 201 affordable homes, its impact reaches beyond its walls. The planning, infrastructure and investment behind The Bellwether have helped unlock the larger site for future development—and the opportunity to create substantially more housing for Portland over time.”
“The Bellwether—Avesta’s largest development in its history—will bring urgently needed affordable homes to Portland,” said Jennifer Hawkins, President and CEO of Avesta Housing. “An affordable home gives individuals, families, and older adults the means to live safely and comfortably, provides a strong foundation for their financial, emotional, and physical wellbeing, and strengthens the communities of which they are part. We know Maine needs to produce housing of every shape and size, in every community, and for every type of household, and Avesta is always eager to do our part.”
A joint development of Reveler Development and Avesta, construction of The Bellwether is led by Penobscot General Contractors and Turner Construction. During the topping-out ceremony, the final structural component of The Bellwether was lifted by crane and installed to mark the end of the first phase of construction.
Jennifer Hawkins, President and CEO of Avesta Housing, speaking at the ceremony
The Bellwether is a 201-unit affordable housing community in downtown Portland. Located at 89 Elm Street, within walking distance of restaurants, grocery stores, health services, and public transit, The Bellwether provides a critical infusion of high-quality, income-restricted housing in one of Maine’s most in-demand rental markets. The community will serve households earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income, which is approximately $54,500 for a one-person household.
Transforming a former parking lot in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood, the $88 million Bellwether is the largest affordable housing development in Maine financed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program (LIHTC). Financial support for The Bellwether was also provided from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, through Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan and from bond financing through MaineHousing.
“This project is a vital step forward in addressing the urgent housing needs of our community, transforming a former parking lot into 201 high-quality, affordable homes for our residents,” said Portland Mayor Mark Dion at the event.
“As the largest new construction project in MaineHousing’s history, it is particularly exciting to be a part of this celebration,” said MaineHousing Director Dan Brennan. “For decades to come, this property, once completed, will serve thousands of Maine people, providing them with safe, high-quality, affordable homes for generations.”
The Bellwether will feature 39 studios, 141 one-bedroom apartments, and 21 two-bedroom apartments in a six- to eight-story, elevator-served building. Each residence will include modern finishes and energy-efficient appliances, including a refrigerator, dishwasher, electric range, and window or wall air conditioning. Designed to foster connection and support residents’ daily lives, The Bellwether will offer a community room with kitchenette, social services office, fitness center, and inviting common patio and lounge spaces. Residents will also have access to bike storage and lockers, on-site management, laundry facilities, and common-area Wi-Fi.
“The Bellwether” was named earlier this year to embody the famous saying, “As Maine goes, so goes the nation.” The project used an advanced panelized building system, which reduced the construction timeline from 30 to 25 months.
The Bellwether is expected to be open in summer 2027.
