About Our Property

Affordable Housing in Dover, NH

In 1824, Alfred L. Sawyer established a small mill on the banks of the Bellamy River. Known as the Lower Sawyer Mill, it has served the community of Dover since this time as a functioning mill, producing many products including cloth that was once used to make uniforms for the Union Army during the Civil War. As times changed, so did the mill, housing businesses such as the Dover Film Company, a shoe company and most recently Holmwoods Furniture, which manufactured unfinished furniture. Today the mill is home to 30 families.

In the Spring of 2002, Great Bridge Properties undertook a complete redevelopment of the mill and surrounding site in an effort to develop quality housing in a responsible anti-sprawl manner. Many of the building's unique historical features were preserved including exposed granite, brick walls and arches, and the water wheel room. In addition, new highly efficient historic replica windows and roof tiles make the mill a state-of-the-art apartment building with large, flexible floor plans and stunning views of the Bellamy River. The project was developed as a direct response to the drastic shortage of affordable housing in New Hampshire's Seacoast Region. The mill is located directly off Exit 7 of the Spaulding Turnpike, less than one mile from downtown Dover, and a ten minute car ride to either Portsmouth or Rochester.