Plans Underway by Watertown Landscape Architects Sasaki, Dawson and Demay for Revised Manufacturing and Administration Complex
The Polaroid Corp. is currently conducting an extensive site development study of the 220-acre Forbes Estate it owns across Norwood and Westwood near Route 1A, a company spokesman announced yesterday. Launched in July, the survey is being spearheaded by corporate engineers alongside the nationally renowned Watertown landscape architectural firm Sasaki, Dawson and Demay Assoc. Polaroid officials are awaiting the architects’ final recommendations before determining the exact type, size, and function of the future facilities. The prestigious design firm boasts an impressive portfolio, having previously planned Polaroid’s Waltham plant, landscaping proposals for Copley Square in Boston, the Kennedy Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., and the master plan for the University of Colorado.
While Polaroid originally outlined a 10-year project to construct nine film processing buildings in Norwood totaling $9 million and creating 4,000 new jobs, courtroom delays prompted the corporation to build three of those structures in Waltham instead. Consequently, master plans are currently being revised, though corporate spokesmen emphasized that the final number of buildings remains open and construction on the first phase is expected to begin within one to two years. Crucially, the historic mansion belonging to the estate—former home of W. Cameron Forbes, one-time U.S. Ambassador to Japan—will be preserved rather than demolished, with company officials considering it for use as an administrative office or employee recreation center. Furthermore, Polaroid pledged that once finalized, development plans will be shared with local abutters to gather landscaping and hedging suggestions. Legal hurdles had previously delayed the project in 1965 when neighborhood abutters challenged a municipal rezoning decision up to the state Supreme Court, though tensions eased following a recent progress report dinner hosted by Polaroid for town officials at the estate.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Business History
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Kline’s Department Store Marks Ten Years in Downtown Norwood-July 11, 1983
Kline’s Department Store Celebrates a Decade in Norwood On July 11, 1983, Kline’s Department Store marked a significant milestone, celebrating ten successful years of operation in downtown Norwood. ⠀ When the 25-store retail chain first moved into the building formerly occupied by the Park Snow store, local observers were initially skeptical. At the time, the…
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In Memoriam: Louis Orent, 94, Founder of Orent Brothers Clothing Store-May 15, 1983
Louis Orent, a pioneering figure in New England retail and a beloved member of the Norwood community, passed away Friday in Hollywood, Florida, at the age of 94. Known widely as the “dean of New England retail clothing merchants,” Mr. Orent leaves behind a legacy defined by entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and decades of service to…
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Sidewalk Sale in Norwood-July 24, 1981
Dozens of Downtown Norwood Businesses took part on a sidewalk sale.
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Conservation Commission Approves Proposed Auto Body Shop Near Hawes Brook-August 22, 1979
Despite angry protests from South Norwood residents over flooding and pollution risks near Hawes Brook, the Conservation Commission approved strict environmental conditions for a new auto body shop.
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Proposed Papa Gino’s to be Dry-August 21, 1979
Facing a neighborhood petition and skeptical selectmen led by Joseph F. Curran and Mary J. Fox, Papa Gino’s application for a beer and wine license on Nahatan Street appears unlikely to pass.
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Gertrude’s Pastry Shop Owner Bernie Osborne Wins State Award for Maine Maple Pastry and Cherishes Small-Town Family Business-August 19, 1979
Bernie Osborne, owner of Gertrude’s Pastry Shop in Norwood Center, won top honors at the Massachusetts Retail Bakers Association contest with his signature Maine Maple pastry judged by Julia Child.
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Conservation Commission Faces Angry Residents Over Proposed Washington Street Auto Body Shop-August 8, 1979
Amid fierce opposition from South Norwood homeowners concerned over Hawes Brook flooding and pollution hazards, the Norwood Conservation Commission reviewed safety plans for a proposed auto body shop on Washington Street.
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New Reliance Electric Service Center-July 17, 1979
Reliance Electric, which services and repairs industrial electric motors, will move its regional service center here from South Boston on Sept. 1. The new facility in a 19,000-square-foot location in the Park Place industrial development off Route 1 will employ some 30 persons, an increase of five over current levels. The company, with headquarters in…
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Analog Devices Plans Major World Headquarters Expansion Into New 33-Acre Norwood Industrial Park-August 23, 1978
Computer equipment giant Analog Devices plans a 50,000-square-foot headquarters facility in a new 33-acre Route 1 industrial park, pending state and local sewer connection approvals.
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Selectmen Support Park Place Industrial Park Owner in Seeking Temporary Portable Toilet Approval-August 9, 1978
Selectmen backed Park Place Industrial Park owner James H. Shane in seeking Board of Health reconsideration for temporary portable toilets amid sewer connection delays.
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