Copley Wolff Design Group, Inc.

Amended Plans Filed for Xmbly in Somerville Changes have been proposed for the 9+ acre Xmbly development in Somerville. Currently, on the project, construction has kicked off for the 329 unit Alta XMBLY which would now be the only residential building within the project. New plans call for the elimination of the 190,000 square foot residential tower on Block 25. This change allows for an increase in publicly accessible open space and an increase in office/lab/R&D space by approximately 272,000 square feet, inclusive of approximately 80,000 square feet of innovative space. A total of 1,220,000 square feet of office/lab/R+D  space would now be provided within 3 buildings. Plans also call for a reduction in retail/restaurant space to 24,500 square feet but an increase in parking from 1696 spaces to 1899 in total.

Framing Nearly Complete for Assembly Row Block 8 Framing is nearly complete for the 525,000 square foot mixed-use property on Assembly Row Block 8. The property will include 500 new residences and approximately 26,500 square feet of restaurant and retail space, adding to Assembly Row's busy streetscape. Amenities for residents will include a 4th-floor courtyard with a pool & private patios and a rooftop outdoor terrace. Select residences would feature private terraces with sweeping views of Boston. 500 vehicle parking spaces, in addition to bicycle storage, would also be provided within the building for residents. Construction on the project will pause as of 3/27 per the City of Somerville's directive. Patrick McMahon, Senior VP, Regional Development at Federal Realty Investment Trust tells BLDUP, "we are fully complying with the city’s mandate and will continue to look for ways to support our community, including our residents, retailers, workers and neighbors."

Window Install Underway for 455 Grand Union Blvd. After topping off last month, windows are now going in at 455 Grand Union Boulevard in Assembly Row. The 267,387 square foot building will include 237,600 square feet of office space above approximately 29,700 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Over half of the office space has been leased to PUMA. Construction is expected to wrap up in January of 2021 but for now, construction will pause as of 3/27 per the City of Somerville's order. Patrick McMahon, Senior VP, Regional Development at Federal Realty Investment Trust tells BLDUP, "we are fully complying with the city’s mandate and will continue to look for ways to support our community, including our residents, retailers, workers, and neighbors."

Site & Foundation Work Underway for Alta Xmbly Site & foundation work is underway for Alta Xmbly in Somerville. The next addition to Assembly Row will feature 329 residential units along with over 10,000 square feet of retail space. The project will also include a 188 car parking garage. 

Check out the Gorgeous Interiors at Alexan Wrentham Alexan Wrentham, which recently wrapped up construction is a luxury apartment community featuring 240 modern apartments along with a full suite of resident amenities. The spacious residences offer stainless appliances and large islands plus European flat-panel cabinetry and granite countertops. In the bathrooms, beautiful and extremely flexible Cardinal Trufit shower enclosures were installed by Middlesex Glass. The units also feature walk-in closets and are tech-enabled living with smartphone keyless entry and USB outlets.  Click here for more information on the Cardinal Trufit product used at Alexan.

Plans for New WBZ-TV Studio Now Under Review Plans have been filed for the replacement television station for WBZ-TV along Soldiers Field Road in Allston. The new 3-story building will feature around 63,000 square feet of commercial/office space, production space and parking. The project would also include 124 secure parking spaces and 16 visitor spaces. 

CO Issued for Hub Hall at The Hub on Causeway On Monday, March 16th a temporary certificate of occupancy was issued for the 16,000 square-foot food hall, Hub Hall, at The Hub on Causeway. Curated by the Patina Restaurant Group the hall will feature 18 diverse food and drink options. A wide mix of vendors, including renowned chefs, local spots, health-conscious and indulgent offerings can all be found at Hub Hall. Notable offerings include Lily P's Fried Chicken, Mike's Pastry, Momosan Ramen, Monica’s Mercato, Sauce Burgers, Sullivan's, The Smoke Shop, and Taco Dumbo. For those looking for a drink, Hub Hall will feature The Draft by Banners, offering regularly rotating craft beer offerings, and Now Pouring Wine Bar, featuring a selection of regularly-changing wine offerings by the glass & bottle. We will be anxiously awaiting the Hub Hall's official opening.  

Certificate of Occupancy Issued for First Units at Velo JP A certificate of occupancy has been issued for the first tower, 122 units, at Velo JP along with the amenity space and 1/2 of the shared garage. When complete Velo will feature 250 units in total along with just over 4,000 square feet of retail space. The transit-oriented project is located directly across the street from the Forest Hills MBTA station.

Notice of Project Change Approved for Phase 2 of Fenway Center With construction wrapping up for Bower (phase 1 of Fenway Center), the BPDA has approved an NPC for Phase 2 of the project. The change will adjust the mix of uses within Buildings 3 and 4 from a mix of residential, office, and lab uses to office/R&D/lab and life science. Parking has been reduced by 500 spaces in a fully automated garage while around 3,669 square feet of additional civic open space has been added. The project will sit on a podium to be constructed over the 8 lanes of the Mass Pike knitting the Fenway/Kenmore community together by creating a new connection between Beacon Street, Brookline Ave. and Lansdowne. Renderings: Gensler An opportunity to “Knit” the community An opportunity to “Knit” the community via connections from Beacon Street, to Lansdowne Station, to Brookline Avenue.via connections from Beacon Street, to Lansdowne Station, to Brookline Avenue.

NPC Approved for 55 India The BPDA has approved the notice of project change submitted in January for 55 India. The change cuts the total number of units from 44 to 29 while maintaining similar building size/height. The third floor of the building would now include 5 affordable live workspaces. On the upper floors plans now call for larger units including 22 two-bedrooms and 2 three-bedroom duplex, penthouse residences. The ground floor will include a restaurant space with large outdoor seating area.  

BLDUP Sneak Peek: Bower BLDUP recently got an inside look at Bower, the first phase of the Fenway Center with Kelly Saito, Managing Partner at Gerding Edlen. It’s clear, even in its unfinished state, that this is not going to be just another luxury apartment building. While the exterior of the building features modern finishes and sharp angles biophilic design elements throughout the interior not only create an intriguing juxtaposition but will contribute to residents’ wellness. Bower features two buildings connected by a common podium. The first (the shorter building) offers 100 apartments set to open in May along with a roof terrace complete with fire pit and grills atop a comfortable resident lounge featuring skylights, a sizeable indoor planter, and other natural elements. Units offer Italian cabinetry including cabinet fronted appliances, beautifully tiled baths, ample closet space, and View Smart Windows. Bower is the first residential project in Boston to offer this technology which allows for automatic tinting throughout the day to keep residents comfortable while offering ample natural light. Not only does the View Glass provide a great resident perk, but it will also help the building conserve energy. The first building at Bower is expected to welcome residents in May. Residences at Bower feature Italian cabinetry and ample natural light via the View Smart Glass. The crown jewel of Bower, where we are sure residents will be lining up to relax is the amazing rooftop amenity space on the second/taller building set to open this summer. With 360 views of Boston including a look inside neighboring Fenway Park, the rooftop will offer a sizable swimming pool, cabanas, and lush plantings. Not only will this space look undeniably cool but the development team took an extra step to raise the deck allowing for space for a heat recovery system hidden under the trendy decor. Right below the roof deck, there is another resident lounge complete with an oversized skylight and more lush greenery. Downstairs generously sized residences again feature Italian cabinetry, this time a two-tone finish including upper cabinets in a lovely green. This building also houses space for the management office and resident fitness center rounding out a full suite of tenant amenities. The view from Bower’s roof deck amenity space At Bower’s ground levels one facing David Ortiz Way the other along Beacon Street retail/restaurant space rounds out the project. Saito tells us his team is actively in negotiations for these coveted spaces in a prime location so close to Fenway Park. A staircase and courtyard will offer a connection between Beacon Street & the lower level of the property plus a new pedestrian walkway will also connect Beacon and Bower itself to the Yawkey Commuter Rail Station. Preleasing for Bower is set to kick off sometime within the next 30 days with rents for the 312 luxury apartments expected to range from $2900 to $5800 per month.  https://www.bowerboston.com/

East Boston Project Financed for $60.24 Million The project at 144 Addison Street in East Boston has been financed via M&T Bank for $60,244,730. The upcoming multi-family residential development will feature 230 apartment residences across two new-construction buildings ranging from three to five stories in height. Both buildings will be connected with a central resident amenity section. A total of 169 vehicle garage parking spaces, 270 covered bicycle storage spaces, and 15 exterior bicycle parking spaces would be provided on-site.