Our Impact

Sound Development

Solid construction. Spacious rooms. Attached garages. These are homes anyone could be proud of. Which is just the point Windale Developers wants to make with their residential projects throughout Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester.

“We started building affordable housing in Boston back in 1985,” says Windale president Arnold Johnson. “But many of the houses were small and cramped—whereas the existing older Victorians were quite spacious.” Johnson and his partner George Chin founded Windale Developers, “so we could have more input on the quality and type of housing we built.”

“For a while people thought all new building was good, because there was such a shortage of housing stock. Now, neighborhood groups are scrutinizing the plans; they want well-built houses that fit in architecturally,” Johnson continues. “We like to think we are helping them have a voice.”

“BCC has been great,” Johnson adds. “Many funders don’t want to take a risk, but BCC saw our business, they saw our philosophy and our product, and they said, ‘These guys can do it.’”

Windale is doing it, building great houses and great careers. “Lots of our subs use neighborhood minority contractors, but there always seemed to be a problem with paperwork. [Workers] were having trouble getting paid. They needed technical assistance, and there weren’t too many places they could get it. So George and I created a [software] program so the guys can do job reporting, requisitions, transmittals; after a couple of classes they are ready. Now they are more professional; they are hired as good-quality subs rather than to fulfill minority requirements.”

Johnson smiles, “We are adamant that the community should participate in growth and success. The only way to do that is to have contractors who are ready to take up the mantle and run with it. Our former employees have started four separate businesses. There’s so much work out there. Never be afraid of progress.”

Windale Developers is building housing and careers. (L-R: Arnold Johnson, George Chin, Jooo Tavares, Antonio Deandrade, Luciano Monteiro Teixeiro, and Alfredo Correia on site at Washington Commons.)

George Chin and Arnold Johnson of Windale Developers

"Sure we are trying to make a living, but we are also trying to make a difference."

- Arnold Johnson, President, Windale Developers

Solid construction. Spacious rooms. Attached garages. These are homes anyone could be proud of. Which is just the point Windale Developers wants to make with their residential projects throughout Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester.

“We started building affordable housing in Boston back in 1985,” says Windale president Arnold Johnson. “But many of the houses were small and cramped—whereas the existing older Victorians were quite spacious.” Johnson and his partner George Chin founded Windale Developers, “so we could have more input on the quality and type of housing we built.”

“For a while people thought all new building was good, because there was such a shortage of housing stock. Now, neighborhood groups are scrutinizing the plans; they want well-built houses that fit in architecturally,” Johnson continues. “We like to think we are helping them have a voice.”

“BCC has been great,” Johnson adds. “Many funders don’t want to take a risk, but BCC saw our business, they saw our philosophy and our product, and they said, ‘These guys can do it.’”

Windale is doing it, building great houses and great careers. “Lots of our subs use neighborhood minority contractors, but there always seemed to be a problem with paperwork. [Workers] were having trouble getting paid. They needed technical assistance, and there weren’t too many places they could get it. So George and I created a [software] program so the guys can do job reporting, requisitions, transmittals; after a couple of classes they are ready. Now they are more professional; they are hired as good-quality subs rather than to fulfill minority requirements.”

Johnson smiles, “We are adamant that the community should participate in growth and success. The only way to do that is to have contractors who are ready to take up the mantle and run with it. Our former employees have started four separate businesses. There’s so much work out there. Never be afraid of progress.”

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