A vacant three-story space on Plympton Street will soon be turned into a 44-unit residential building.

Plans for the development also feature space for an arts gallery, an outdoor courtyard area and workshop spaces.

The proposed project, located at 52 Plympton Street, was approved by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (PBDA) Board on Thursday, November 13.

Lead developer Josh Brandt of Stack Architecture said there is still a long way to go but hopes for construction to begin in the spring of 2027.

Construction should take from 18 months to two years, said Brandt.

Though renderings of the project have seven floors, Brandt said the ground floor will serve as the main attraction of the building.

“The beating heart of the project will be the ground floor,” said Brandt, who said the floor will be a center of community activation.

Brandt said keeping the arts community in the South End in mind has been an emphasis in the developmental process.

The neighborhood response to the project plans has been extremely positive and enthusiastic, said Brandt. He said the BPDA Board largely echoed this sentiment.

Eight of the 44 units will be affordable live/workspaces for artists. These lofts will be on the ground floor.

“The ground floor will have a 1000 square foot gallery space that will help arts programming in the city,” said Brandt.

Brandt said it has not yet been decided which organization will operate the ground floor’s arts spaces. “A shared ground floor gallery and workshop space will engage residents, artists and neighbors, strengthening community ties and supporting the local arts ecosystem,” according to the small project review application.

Brandt said the goal for the ground floor is for it to get used as much as possible.

“There is a lack of community meeting space in the South End,” said Brandt.

He said the 3000 square foot courtyard could be used as a sculpture garden or a space for events, among other possibilities.

“By transforming an underused site into approximately 44 new homes with ground level activation, the project increases foot traffic, supports local businesses, and brings more life to the street,” read the same application.

A parking garage beneath the building will contain 44 parking spaces for bicycles and 19 spaces for vehicles.

Housing units will vary between one, two and three bedrooms.

The housing units will be entirely electric. “So far, so good,” said Brandt.