Creative re-use and redevelopment of existing structures can be a great thing, when done correctly.

The Walter Baker Co. chocolate factory complex in Milton and Dorchester Lower Mills is an example of a development done right.

Over the past twenty years, most of the property has been redeveloped into condominiums.

Now, the final piece of property is about to be turned into new homes.

Two buildings on the Milton side of the Neponset River are slated to be converted to condominiums. The property owner, Extra Space Storage, also wants to erect a new five-story building as part of the project, which is to include stores and a restaurant on the first floor.

Across the river in Dorchester, a large, vacant brick factory building is targeted for conversion to 61 apartments. The condominium association that owns the building approved the reuse plan earlier this year, and construction is scheduled to start in February.

Source: Last of chocolate factory is set for reuse - By Robert Preer, The Boston Globe