September
2010
Boston redevelopment authority news reports that : Waterside Place has been approved by the BRA Board which will bring a new gorgeous 21-story, 376,300 sq. ft. development with residential, office and retail uses to he city’s Innovation District within the South Boston Waterfront. It was previously approved in 2007, the developer will now construct the project in phases, beginning with Core Block North, and to build rental apartment units as opposed to condominium units. The project, as modified, will include approximately 234 rental apartment units, approximately 72,000 sq. ft. of retail space which will include a grocery store and pharmacy and 185 above grade parking spaces and an approximately 14,000 sq. ft. Innovation Center that will provide office/flex/IT rack space for small entrepreneurial and developing companies.
The $132 million phase-one project is expected to create 300 permanent jobs and 800 construction related jobs. The development team plans to begin construction in the second quarter of 2011 with an estimated completion date in approximately the first or second quarter of 2013. The project is located on what is known as the Commonwealth Flats Development Area (CFDA) and is owned by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). Phase one of Waterside Place will replace three-acres of vacant land, further enlivening the South Boston Waterfront by creating new and improved streetscapes and public spaces.
August
2010
Equity Residential has filed plans for new apartments yesterday, which would replace the five story Garden Garage that are home to 650 parking spots (the one with a big bubble on the top of it). This garage would be moved to an underground facility with an additional 200 spaces addded. Equity Residential are the same minds behind the very successful West End Apartments, which will be a stones throw from their new project. They’re reviewing all sorts of different scenarios and are going to get some input from bordering neighbors and the city to come to a compromise on height and design of the 3-acre site. Causeway Street, Nashua Street, Lomansey and other parts of the West End are undergoing a lot of change and development and I think its good for the area. The West End/Garden area needs some redesign and a new look. The Archstone Avenir is a beautiful building, but it sticks out like a sore thumb over there, I’m excited to get some more luxury/trendy residences in that same block, this area will be devoured with luxury residential buildings. We’ll keep you posted on this project.
August
2010
Big time developer Don Chiofaro is willing to come to a happy medium with Boston officials regarding the size of his proposed waterfront complex. The city of Boston has put in 200 foot height restriction on the property. Don has made a public statement saying that he is willing to dropping the height of the originally planned 625 foot structure, but he is also confident that 200 feet will certainley not work. The restriction is put into place so that the shadows from the buildings are not blocking access to the Boston Harbor. The city of Boston and Don both want the garage replaced but they will need to continue to compromise in order for it to happen. Don Chiofaro is going to issue an updated plan for the garage within the next couple weeks. He is going to address and rethink some of the city’s issues. We’ll be sure to keep you updated!
August
2010
Developers from Samuels & Associates has plans for Fenway, including apartments, underground parking and retail/office space. The developers have filed a letter of intent to the Bostong Redevelopment Authority for its new plans for two mixed use buildings. These buildings would be replacing a parking lot and the old Goodyear tire shop on Brookline Avenue. 132 Brookline Avenue would be a 170 unit luxury apartment high rise with retail space on the first floor. A street over on the corner of Boylston and Van Ness would be the other building with another 150 luxury rentals with 200,000 sq. ft. available for retail space and 225,000 sq. ft. of office space. There will be room for 500 underground parking spots for both buildings. This company owns 11 buildings in this ara including Trilogy and 1330 Boylston, both luxury apartment buildings that opening in 2008. This is all part of their plan to bring a Newbury Street feel to the Fenway area. They want to push pedestrain friendly retail and luxury living over the next few years! I think its a great idea, both 1330 and Trilogy are great buildings that are doing very well. For more information please contact Epapa27@yahoo.com
August
2010
770 – 774 E. 3rd Street Street Condo’s are home to 18 new brilliant homes in South Boston/Seaport Area. Amazing open floor plans with top of the line finishes that include oak flooring, maple cabinetry, tile baths, granite countertops, Bosch stainless steel appliances and generous walk in closets. Every unit includes private mahogany decks and washer and dryers. There are some great units and opportunites for a beautiful home! Contact Epapa27@yahoo.com to set up an appointment.
August
2010
June
2010
I’m getting tired of hearing all the Boston natives complaining about how “sick of Boston” they are and how “boring” the city has become, but who am I kidding, its true! We need a little change, besides all these new boutique hotels and restaurants, we’re ready for another vibrant neighborhood! A new place to go and explore, shop, dine and embrace. I think tourists are even getting sick of the same old street performers in Fanuiel Hall! We need a new attraction to this city! What better place to put it than in nestling it into the gorgeous Seaport District. This area has been closely scoped out by developers and the city of Boston for years now. They are eager to take the open 23 acres of land that is currently used for parking and create another lively and vibrant neighborhood in Boston. The city of Boston has felt that South Boston’s Seaport District has been neglected and underdeveloped and with the help of tycoon developers like Gale International, Morgan Stanley and WS Development, it looks like we should be looking forward to a rapid change in the beautiful waterfront area! I spent my whole Memorial Day Weekend reading the Project Guidelines….. (over 70 pages long) and its amazing, Ill give you a shortened look at what they have planned for us!
Project Description
The space available for development in the Seaport is amazing, it is giving them so many opportunities for all sorts of additions to this area. This land will have rows of unique residences, ranging from town houses, to luxury condos! It will give it a real neighborhood-y feel, almost like an updated, more luxurious Brookline for living mixed with Fanuiel Hall and Newbury Street for dining and shopping. All of this space will be used for multiple different purposes, including residences, retail shops, office space and cultural institutions. This project will keep Boston’s historic feel, but also show us a new environmentally friendly growth throughout this area. Its going to bring a new skyline to the Seaport, but also touch on open outdoor parks and make it a cultural, family orientated area. To obtain a cultural feel they’re adding a Public Library, a performing arts school, a chapel and most buildings will feature first floor retail to keep the foot traffic steady day to night and an inviting feel. It won’t only attract new residents to this area, but also new businesses, shoppers and plenty of tourists as this should be an extremely desirable location when it is finished! Seaport Square will be home to 23 different sized buildings stretching over 20 blocks! That is almost 6.5M sq. ft. 2.8M sq. ft. will be designated for residential purposes, 1.3M reserved for office space, another 1.3M reserved for retail and entertainment purposes, such as restaurants and cafes, with 600,000 sq. ft. of space for cultural and education use and they’re also adding 500,000 sq. ft. of hotel space. You’re probably wondering where everyone is going to park since all of this is being developed in place of 23 acres of parking. Well they are having over 6,500 parking spaces located in underground garages throughout the Seaport. Don’t feel like driving? No problem, as they are constructing a new MBTA headquarters in Seaport Square, which will provide silver line access at a convenient location. All major buildings will be gaining a LEED-Silver rating to keep this development green. This project will boast new restaurants, banks, local services and cafes for all of the employees and residents. The open space will bring tree lined streets and parks that will bring new outdoor entertainment to Boston, featuring a spring art show, summer theater shows, farmers markets and during the winter there will be ice sculptures and holiday light shows. It will keep this area vibrant throughout every season!
Benefits
There are endless amounts of benefits that will stem from this project. Starting with new jobs, it has been calculated that Seaport Square will create approximately 10,000 construction jobs and 20,000 permanent jobs. There will also be close to 2,500 new homes which will increase housing. Some of the housing will be affordable with roughly 325 units. Like I talked about in the project description, I think one of the most exciting and beneficial aspects of this project is the open space which makes up 25% of the Project Site which will feature the green space and side walks. The fact that Seaport Square is obtaining LEED-ND certification is brilliant, it will be one of the United States largest sustainability-designed green buildings. It is also estimated that this project will generate about $32,000,000 in local property taxes, $31,000,000 in annual state sales taxes, $2,600,000 in hotel occupancy taxes, $2,600,000 in local occupancy tax and $1,200,000 for convention center financing. This all gives Boston a large new tax revenue.
Public Improvements
- New Streets & Sidewalks
- New Pedestrian Open Areas
- Northern Avenue Repairs & Additions
- New Landscapes
- New Connecting Bridges for Easy Access to Summer Street & Downtown Boston
- New Silver Line Convenience with New Headquarters
Cultural & Community Contributions
- Performing Arts Center
- Exhibition Space
- Education Facilities
- Public Library
This is a beast of a project that will certainly bring a whole new feel not only to the Seaport, but the whole city of Boston. They are beginning construction in early 2011 and they are planning on having this project completed by 2013! If I were a home buyer right now I’d definitely be looking towards the Seaport/South Boston area! Will be a great investment once this all goes up, it will be the most desirable area in all of Boston. FP3 in Seaport is offering some great deals as they were just FHA approved, could be a great chance to score a great place at a great price and watch your neighborhood be built around you! TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE AN APARTMENT OR CONDO NEARBY THE SEAPORT OR FOR ACCESS TO MORE PICTURES & PLANS ON THIS PROJECT PLEASE CONTACT Epapa27@yahoo.com!
Pictures
February
2010
309 Old Colony Avenue Condominiums:
Approved for 16 Condo Units above existing retail space. 4 stories with 27 parking spaces.
3 Dorchester Street – Phase II:
Approved for 22, 3BDR units
394 & 404 West Second Street:
20,000 sq. ft. building that will be home to 27 residential units and 41 parking spots.
770-774 East Third Street:
Has been approved for a new residential building with 18 units stretched among five stories, including an enclosed garage parking in the rear of the building for approximately 12 vehicles and an additional 19 parking spots on site as well.
902 East Second Street:
The construction will begin for a 44 residential unit building and 49 parking spaces.
Emerald Court:
The construction has been delayed for the 242-unit condominium and 3,600 sq. ft. of retail space. Located near D Street and C Street, West First Street and West Second Street.
371-401 D Street Residences:
243,195 sq ft. of Land for a 690,00 sq. ft. residential building that will be home to 585 condominium units in 4 different buildings with 724 parking spaces.
February
2010
Big time developer Zaya has started a new trend, which is helping struggling companies with their also struggling projects and turning it into gold. His company has a midas touch on residential developments and is said to be turning this currently not so hot project into 90 luxury residential units. This is not the only project in the works for this team, they are eyeing a mixed use building as well as a resort near Goa. All three locations are still being kept quiet, but we will keep you posted. For more information please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
February
2010
The Signal Building @ 154 West 2nd Street:
The BRA approved the construction and redevelopment of the Signal Building at 154 W. 2nd Street in South Boston. It will be home to 75 new condominium units. Over 20 of them will be designed for artists, kind of a live/work place for them and 6 affordable units. They are also adding a 2 story rooftop addition to the Signal Building as well as a common courtyard to the site.
319 A Street (Rear) in Fort Point Channel:
The 315,00 sq. ft. of space in the Fort Point Channel area of South Boston has been approved to eventually be home to a 232-unit apartment complex at 319 A Street (rear), which stands behind the Chimera Lighting Store. 259,00 sq. ft. will be designated to residential space.
333-339 W. Broadway Street:
This will be home to a new 16-unit mixed use building with 21,500 sq. ft. of living space. 15 ownership units of which 2 are affordable and will feature 23 parking spaces. There will also be 1 commercial unit on the first floor.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ANTHONYJRICH@GMAIL.COM