Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Essex Landing Development Receives Approval to Replace Route 1 Miniature Golf/Dairy Castle in Saugus

A few months ago, we reported that a Route 1 landmark that was supposed to have closed last fall in order to make room for new development was given a reprieve. Now it looks like the end may finally be near for the place.

The Saugus Advertiser states that the town planning board has unanimously approved of plans to build Essex Landing at the site where Route 1 Miniature Golf--including the Dairy Castle ice cream stand. batting cages, an arcade, and its iconic orange dinosaur--currently reside. The article says that the mixed-use development, which is being called the "renaissance of Route 1," will have what appears to be six buildings, with apartments, two hotels, and three restaurants being included, though it is not known if the dinosaur will remain on the property. (This has been an ongoing issue since the plans for the development had first been announced.) The first two buildings could be completed by March of 2018, according to the Advertiser.

In April, it was announced that Route 1 Miniature Golf would open for one more season, which was good news for customers who were told that it was originally going to shut down at the end of the 2015 season. At this point in time, it appears that this season will be the last for the entertainment complex, but if that changes, we will post an update here.

The Route 1 Miniature Golf complex has been in business since 1958.

[Earlier Articles]
Dairy Castle/Route 1 Miniature Golf in Saugus to Reopen for One More Season
Dairy Castle/Route 1 Miniature Golf in Saugus to Be Sold; Hotel/Apartment Complex to Move In

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]