Significant Renovations Planned for Saugus Restaurant

The iconic Kowloon restaurant in Saugus, Massachusetts, has been operating for more than 75 years. It is set for a significant redevelopment that will replace the restaurant with two modern, six-story mixed-use buildings containing nearly 200 apartments and commercial spaces.

During construction, the current restaurant will remain open and temporarily relocate to one of the new commercial spaces before moving into a smaller, permanent location within the new development.

Kowloon co-owner Bobby Wong told Boston.com in 2022 that the new space, while smaller, will retain some of the Polynesian decor the restaurant is known for. Wong added that customers should expect a “freshened up” Kowloon. The permanent Kowloon space will take over the entire first floor of the second building on the site, but it will reduce the 1,200-seat restaurant to approximately 300 to 400 seats.

Wong said the phased move for Kowloon will help keep its nearly 200 staff members employed while construction takes place.

“We have a great group of employees, and they were nervous when they heard. It wasn't just the customers that were nervous,” said Wong in a statement shared with 7NEWS Boston. “We didn't want to shut down and they have to go with other jobs. A lot of them, [it's] the only job they know and care. They may be here 30, 40, 50 years.”

The redevelopment plan, proposed by Michael McKeown, a partner at New Hampshire's Dennis Mires Architects, includes 198 one-bedroom apartments and high-end retail spaces on the ground floors.

Construction is expected to begin on the Route 1 property in 2026, with each building taking approximately 14 months to complete. The Saugus planning board approved hiring a company to do a site plan review and discuss the proposal again at its Nov. 6 meeting.