Finegold Alexander Architects and Dimeo Construction Company joined local and state officials, project partners, and community members on Friday, May 8, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Framingham Regional Justice Center. The 116,000 SF civic cornerstone will consolidate multiple courts and legal services into a single, modern courthouse in the heart of downtown Framingham.

“I want to thank Finegold Alexander for their fantastic work,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “I had the pleasure, when I used to be in the city of Lowell, working with them on the Lowell court. And it's nice to see them doing the work here as well. In many ways, the court buildings that we build are intended and hopefully will turn out to be sort of civic monuments to the importance of the rule of law.”

Located along Union Avenue on the site of the former Thomas Danforth Building, the three-story justice center will bring together the Middlesex County District Court, Housing Court, Juvenile Court, Family and Probate Court, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office, and additional legal resources under one roof. Designed to improve accessibility to justice while strengthening connections to public transportation and the surrounding downtown district, the project represents a significant investment in both civic infrastructure and the future of Framingham’s urban core.

Finegold Alexander Architects is leading the design of the all-electric courthouse in collaboration with the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), The Massachusetts Trial Courts Dimeo Construction Company, and the broader project team. The $174 million facility is being designed to meet DCAMM’s sustainability goals and Executive Order 594 through the use of ground source heat pumps, rooftop solar panels, high-performance mechanical systems, and lower embodied carbon materials, and is targeting LEED Silver certification.

“Breaking ground on the Framingham Regional Justice Center marks an important milestone for both the Commonwealth and the City of Framingham,” said Jeff Garriga, Principal at Finegold Alexander Architects. “This project is about more than delivering a courthouse; it is about creating a civic institution that reflects dignity, accessibility, sustainability, and community connection. We are proud to help shape a welcoming and forward-looking public building that will serve generations to come.”

"Dimeo Construction Company has constructed multiple courthouses throughout New England, and the Framingham Regional Justice Center marks our third collaboration with DCAMM and Finegold Alexander Architects,” said Stephen Rutledge, President and CEO at Dimeo. “Courthouses are landmark buildings in our communities, and the impact a new facility has extends beyond the improved efficiencies of the Courts, positively transforming the surrounding area, including eateries, retail shops, and office activity.”  

Designed to embody both a dignified, civic presence and the human scale, the courthouse responds thoughtfully to the surrounding urban fabric of downtown Framingham. Carefully detailed brick façades reference the architectural character of the neighborhood with subtly faceted and undulating surfaces that create a dynamic pedestrian experience on both the interior and the exterior. Energy efficient triple-paned windows provide natural daylight and views, which, along with integrated public art, foster a calming environment for the public and the staff. Elements of the former Danforth Building will also be incorporated into the project, honoring the site’s layered history within the community.

State Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland), who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, emphasized the broad impact the project will have on downtown Framingham and the MetroWest region.

“Today’s groundbreaking is the result of years of collaboration, advocacy, and persistence to deliver a modern regional justice center that meets the needs of Framingham and the entire MetroWest community,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This new courthouse will expand access to justice, strengthen public safety, and bring new economic energy to downtown Framingham. I am proud to have worked alongside our local, state, and community partners to help move this transformational project from vision to reality, and I look forward to seeing the lasting impact it will have for generations to come.”

The new justice center is expected to become an anchor for continued growth and investment in downtown Framingham, bringing hundreds of daily visitors and employees to the area while supporting nearby businesses, services, restaurants, and cultural destinations.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in summer 2029.

Learn more about Finegold Alexander Architects and the firm’s civic work: https://www.faainc.com/project-category/civic