Elkus Manfredi Architects

Harrison Street and Bulfinch Partner to Acquire Osborn Triangle

Harrison Street and Bulfinch have partnered to purchase Osborn Triangle for over $1 Billion.

Osborn Triangle is located adjacent to MIT’s campus and consists of three buildings. 610 Main Street North, 1 Portland Street, and 700 Main Street. The property features 676,917 square feet of Lab, Office, and Retail space. Additionally, there is a 650-space parking garage associated with the property.

The buildings have all been recently renovated or built and feature an array of retail stores on the ground level.

Membership Leasing Begins for Hub50House at The Hub on Causeway

Membership leasing for Hub50House, the 440-unit, 38-story residential tower at The Hub on Causeway has now launched. Potential residents can tour the model homes and reserve units for fall occupancy in one of the city’s hottest neighborhoods by visiting the well-outfitted leasing center at 100 Causeway Street. Hub50House is a vibrant luxury rental property located at 50 Causeway Street adjacent to TD Garden and North Station, featuring unique amenities, Boston’s most connected location and exclusive access throughout The Hub on Causeway as part of the property’s HubClub, an insider’s access club. 

Fully integrated into the 1.5-million square foot The Hub on Causeway and located atop the site of the original Boston Garden, Hub50House is the most accessible, transit-oriented location in the city with direct access to 65% of the MBTA’s stations via subway, commuter rail, and shuttle buses. The neighborhood also offers easy walkability to the Financial District, Beacon Hill, the North End, Charlestown, and Government Center. Plentiful on-site parking also includes bike storage and repair. 

Hub50House offers expansive indoor and outdoor community spaces for residents, their pets and their guests – the most shared amenity space in the city, including three amenity floors and three outdoor lounges providing: 

• Rooftop sky pool adjacent to two reservable lounge rooms, one with private catering kitchen, one with demonstration kitchen
• Woof Deck with adjacent pet spa and lounge, oversize laundry, and additional storage lockers
• Outdoor skyline deck for grilling and lawn games, with a fire pit and a communal outdoor kitchen including four open grills, fridges, sinks and ice maker, and two reservable private grill pods with their own fridges, sinks, and outdoor televisions
• Business center including reservable conference room, coffee bar, three party rooms (one with demonstration kitchen), quiet room, game room with pool and poker tables, media room, fitness center with yoga and spin studio

Residents at Hub50House will experience a highly convenient, cutting-edge and full-service lifestyle.  Offerings include Tide dry cleaning lockers for easy drop-off/pick up, dog walking services, package delivery with smartphone notification and an on-site transit screen with real-time information. Destination dispatch elevators provide modern convenience alongside a 24/7 concierge paired with a highly secure building entrance equipped with three security touch points at every entrance.

Hub50House members will receive exclusive access and perks at The Hub on Causeway through the property’s HubClub. This includes membership to ‘Rafters’, a whole new level of entertainment in TD Garden’s Boston Garden Society opening for the 2019/20 season.  HubClub also offers additional VIP experiences at Big Night Live and ArcLight Cinema.

 “Hub50House combines the most connected location in Boston with the most unique amenities to create a living experience unmatched in the city of Boston,” stated Bryan Koop, Executive Vice President for Boston Properties. “Through the combination of our distinctive spaces and HubClub access, residents at Hub50House will be able to make the most of each and every day.”

“Not only is The Hub on Causeway bridging together the residents of the North and West End but with Hub50House, it will now be the new home to hundreds of Boston residents,” said Charlie Jacobs, CEO of Delaware North’s Boston Holdings. “Those that reside in Hub50House will soon be a short elevator ride away from the best entertainment district in the City of Boston.”

Each Hub50House residence features at least 9’ ceilings with floor to ceiling windows in all units that showcase unparalleled water and city views. There are a variety of layouts from metro units to three-bedroom penthouses and two finish packages to select from, but all interior finishes include Navona Italian cabinetry, Silestone countertops and a GE or Bosch appliance suite. Storage has been prioritized with Elfa closet systems and oversized vanities, shelving and cabinets. All units have washer/dryers and Nest thermostats.

Leasing and marketing for the property is handled exclusively by The Collaborative Companies. For more information or to make an appointment for a hard hat tour of the property, visit www.hub50house.com.

Exterior Work Wrapping up for 2 Brookline Place

Curtain wall and terracotta install are wrapping up for Boston Children's Hospital's new 182,500-square-foot building at 2 Brookline Place. Roofing and mechanical work at the penthouse level area also ongoing. 2 Brookline Place will feature medical office space, ambulatory care along with ground floor retail. Construction on the core and shell is expected to wrap up in October with tenant fitout to follow.

Next door at 1 Brookline Place, work is nearly complete for the expansion of the existing building with final painting and connection and testing of MEP controls wrapping up. 

Site Work Ongoing for The Track at New Balance

After officially breaking ground last month site work is ongoing for the next phase of development at Boston Landing, The Track at New Balance.  The TRACK will feature an indoor track as well as regulation hard court and turf field space and a separate warm-up track along with seating capacity for up to 5,000 spectators. Ground floor retail and foodservice will also be part of the project along with a 3,500 capacity music venue in partnership with The Bowery Presents. Construction is expected to be complete in late summer 2021.

Washington Capital Retains Tocci For Union Point

Rendering courtesy of Elkus Manfredi Architects

Washington Capital Management, Inc., on behalf of one or more investment management clients, has retained Tocci Building Corporation to provide development support services for Union Point. The property is the 1400 acre redevelopment of the South Weymouth Naval Air Station formerly known as Southfield. Tocci will assist Washington Capital with land use documentation and selection of a new Master Developer. Services include liaison with the Southfield Redevelopment Authority and landowner responsibilities. Tocci was the former Program Manager for Union Point through 2017 and provided a broad range of planning and construction services.  

Cores Rapidly Rising for Omni Seaport

Concrete cores are rapidly rising for the Omni Seaport Hotel. The massive, 1055 room hotel will offer direct access to the Boston Convention Center via an existing underground tunnel.  The hotel will also include 120,000 square feet of meeting and event space including two large 25,000-square-foot and 15,500-square-foot ballrooms, 35,000 square feet of restaurant space, 5,000 square feet of retail space and an 8,500-square-foot spa and fitness center. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification and is expected to be complete in early 2021.

Early Stage Construction Continues for The St. Regis Residences, Boston: Sales Gallery Will Open in June

Early stage construction continues along Boston's waterfront for The St. Regis Residences, Boston. The upcoming 22-story-tower will contain 114 high-end residential condominiums along with a two-level signature restaurant. As Boston's first St. Regis, this project will offer residents access to a suite of signature amenities and personalized butler service. While luxurious, the design also takes into account the importance of climate resiliency with deployable flood barriers and other allowances for possible rising sea levels. 

The sales gallery for this much-anticipated development is set to open in June and will offer buyers and agents a first look at these world-class homes.

Crews Prep Garden Garage Site for Ledge Removal

Crews continue work on the install of temporary bracing and soil removal at the site of the former Garden Garage. Ledge removal is expected to start within the coming days. The upcoming 44-story tower is set to include 469 apartments along with 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail The development will also include around 20,000 square feet of common resident amenities and an underground parking garage to hold 830 cars. Construction is expected to wrap up in the 4th quarter of 2021.

Northeastern's New Residence Hall Fully Leased for Fall as Construction Continues

Northeastern University's new Residence Hall, Lightview may still be under construction but the project is already fully leased for the upcoming fall semester. The 21-story tower will include 221 student housing units with a total of 812 beds. Interior finishing is ongoing for the 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom units. Resident amenities will include a social lounge, a recreation, and gaming area and a fitness center. Lightview is set to open this fall. 

Facade Work Nearly Complete for Emerson's Little Building

The restoration of the facade of Emerson's Little Building is rapidly progressing as the building is beginning to look like it's old self (that is from the Boylston Street angle, along Tremont Street new modern glass panels were incorporated into the design). Interior work is also ongoing for the renovations that will add 294 beds of student housing and increase student and social space. Construction is set to be complete in time for the beginning of the fall semester.

Scape Acquires Fenway Property for $39 Million

Scape has acquired the property at 2 Charlesgate West for $39 million.

2 Charlesgate West was a proposed 29-story, 340-foot tall mixed-use tower that would contain up to 343,819 sqft of gross floor area including 10,000 sqft of retail. In April 2019, Scape acquired the property from Trans National and has not released any immediate plans for the site. 

Trans National's defunct plans for the tower were to include approximately 295 residential units including studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units with rental apartments on lower floors and ownership condominiums on upper floors. Resident amenities would include a fitness center, a show kitchen, a dining room, a library and landscaped outdoor terraces with outdoor grills and dining space.

Glass Facade Install Continues for Hub50House, Residential Tower at The Hub on Causeway

Exterior glass install is progressing for the residential tower of the Hub on Causeway, dubbed Hub50House. The teaser website for the 440 unit building promises "Boston's move innovative residential experience." Units will range in size from 1 through 3 bedrooms and resident amenities will include a rooftop pool.

Elsewhere on the massive project, tenant fit-out is underway within the podium for the Rapid7 Headquarters that will occupy nearly 150,000 square feet of this 175,000 section of the project. On top of the podium, a second tower crane is in place for construction of the third and final phase, another 525,000 square feet of office space. Verizon Communications has already leased 440,000 square feet here. 

All phases of the project are expected to be complete by 2021.

Exterior Work Nearly Complete for Avenu at Natick

Exterior work is nearly complete with interior finishing ongoing for the upcoming Active Adult community, Avenu at Natick. The 164 unit project, just across the street from The Natick Mall will feature a mix of one and two bedroom homes, 10% of which are designated affordable. Amenities at Avenu Natick will include a 16,000-square-foot, landscaped courtyard, a pool deck with cabanas, lounge and recreation area along with a theater, spa, and fitness center. Units are available for preleasing now with expected opening later this year.

Construction Nearly Complete for 20 CityPoint in Waltham

Construction is in the final stages for 20 CityPoint, a new six-story class A office building in Waltham. The project will include a total of 211,000 square feet of office space, 110,000 of which has already been leased to anchor tenant Simpson, Gumpertz, and Heger. The engineering firm plans to move into the space in August.

As part of the project, a connector bridge is being built from the second floor of 20 CityPoint to the second floor of 10 CityPoint next door. This connector bridge will allow access to the amenities offered in the 10 CityPoint building which was completed in 2016.

NPC Approved for 7INK By Ollie

A notice of project change to adjust the unit mix within the upcoming co-living 7INK by Ollie has been approved by the BPDA. The change keeps the total number of units the same at 250 however by changing smaller studio units to 3 and 4 bedrooms the total bed count is not increased from 327 to 353. There is no change to building size. 

Construction on One Broadway and 314 Main Street Progressing as Part of MIT's Kendall Square Initiative

Framing continues to rise for 314 Main Street as part of MIT's Kendall Square revamp with glass facade install now kicking off. The 17 story building will be home to Boeing and the MIT Museum. Construction is expected to run through 2020. Just down the block work is also continuing on the addition to One Broadway which will be home to new 19,000 square foot Roche Brothers Supermarket. This much-anticipated addition to the neighborhood is set to open this summer.

NB Development Group Breaks Ground on The TRACK at New Balance

The first day of April marked the groundbreaking ceremony for the TRACK at New Balance. The community and project officials were in attendance including Mayor Marty Walsh. The TRACK is the next phase of the Boston Landing Development and will offer a pinnacle sports experience for athletes, as well as a concert venue with The Bowery Presents and a New Balance Athletics Sports Research Lab. 

The TRACK at new balance will feature a fast hydraulically-banked 200-meter indoor track as well as regulation hard court and turf field space and a separate warm-up track along with seating capacity for up to 5,000 spectators. Ground floor retail and foodservice will also be part of the project. The music venue, developed in partnership with The Bowery Presents will have a 3,500 capacity.

The TRACK at new balance is being designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects and will be constructed by John Moriarty Associates. Construction is expected to be complete by late summer 2021.

Life Sciences Building at 99 A Street Officially Under Review

The proposed new 6-story life sciences building at 99 A Street in South Boston is now under review. The Elkus Manfredi designed project would include 210,000 square feet of life science and technical office space. A basement-level parking garage would hold around 76 vehicles and there could also be a small retail space on the A Street side of the building. Construction is anticipated to start in 2020 with completion by 2022. 

Interior Finishing Wrapping up for Pier 4 Luxury Condos

With completion expected this spring interior finishing is wrapping up for the 106 luxury condo homes at Pier 4 Phase II. Each waterfront residence features an expansive private balcony with direct water views along with custom designer finishes. Resident amenities will include white-glove concierge service, fitness center, resident lounge, and golf simulation room. A farm to table restaurant from notable culinary mind Kristin Canty will be located on the first floor of the project.

Work Begins on Cores for Omni Seaport

Work has started on 2 concrete cores for the upcoming Omni Seaport across from the Boston Convention Center. The 788,5000 square foot building will house around 1,055 hotel rooms along with meeting and event space, retail, restaurant, and a fitness center with spa. Over 275 of the guest rooms will be "innovation rooms" at around 250 square feet in size. With the largest hotel ballroom in the Seaport and 100,000 square feet of flexible space, Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport should prove to be a hub for meetings and events. The Omni is set to open in early 2021.

The Bowery Presents Announces New Live Music Venue at Boston Landing

The Bowery Presents, the leading concert promotion and venue management company in the Northeast, announced today its plans for a new 3,500 capacity concert venue to be developed at Boston Landing, a mixed-use development in Boston’s Allston-Brighton neighborhood. Set to be an anchor of “The TRACK at new balance” development, the general admission venue will break ground on April 1 with an anticipated opening in Fall 2021. The venue’s name and further details will be announced at a later date.

 “We are proud to be part of the fabric of the Boston music community, and we are excited to continue our growth as part of New Balance’s new development at Boston Landing,” said Jim Glancy and John Moore, partners at The Bowery Presents. “We take great pride in the business our team has developed in Boston, and this new venue will be an exciting new addition to the Bowery Boston family.”

“We are excited to be working with The Bowery Presents as they bring their culture of nurturing and presenting the best musical acts to enhance Allston-Brighton’s rich music performance history at Boston Landing,” said Jim Halliday, Managing Director of New Balance Development Group. “The Bowery Presents’ music venue at Boston Landing will complement the district’s retail and restaurant offerings to truly provide an exciting 18-Hour/7-Day experience on Brighton’s Guest Street corridor.”

 Once open, the music venue at Boston Landing will expand The Bowery Presents’ venue ownership and booking footprint within the Boston area, joining Royale (1,200 capacity), The Sinclair in Cambridge (525 capacity), Great Scott (220 capacity), in addition to dozens of concert bookings in theaters and arenas in the region. 

“The Bowery Presents has a rich history of developing artists and offering fans great live music experiences from small to large venues,” said Josh Bhatti, Vice President, Boston at The Bowery Presents. “We are excited to bring our passion for developing the best venues for artists and fans alike to Boston Landing.”

For a full calendar of The Bowery Presents’ events in Boston, visit BoweryBoston.com.

Notice of Project Change for 7INK by Ollie in the South End

The proposed project change calls to modify the Project’s unit mix in response to assessment of market information both from the Boston market and obtained from operating co- living communities in other locations.

Increased market demand from the targeted demographic of 25-40 year olds has been experienced for the multi-bedroom units due to the lower price point associated with these unit types.

 

The proposed unit mix modification is as follows:

Unit Type	Previously approved unit mix	New unit mix
Studio	197	84
1-bedroom (premium units)	0	6
2-bedroom	35	28
3-bedroom	12	32
4-bedroom	6	20
Total Units	250	180
Total Bedrooms	327	353

The overall increase in the approved total number of bedrooms from 327 to 353 is 8%.

The overall building area, building height and the building envelope/footprint, as approved by the BPDA Board on July 12, 2018, will remain the same. The change to the bedroom count is achieved solely by redesign of the floor plans of the previously approved units.

Despite Small Fire, Construction Progressing on all Phases of The Hub on Causeway

This past Saturday afternoon fire broke out on the 25th floor of what will be the residential tower for The Hub on Causeway. The three-alarm fire is estimated to have caused around $200,000 worth of damage to the project. Despite this hiccup, construction is ongoing across all three phases of the project. Interior fit-outs are underway for the office and retail space as part of the podium in Phase 1. Phase 2, where the fire occurred continues with glass facade install while steel framing is going up for Phase 3, atop the podium.

The 38-story residential tower at The Hub on Causeway will contain around 440 rentals and a 10-story citizenM hotel tower with approximately 260 rooms. Resident amenities will include a rooftop deck and a  sky deck for dogs, "the Woof Deck". Construction here is expected to be complete later this year into early 2020.

The final phase of the project, the office tower, where Verizon has already signed up to lease 440,000 square feet is set to be complete in 2021.

LStar Communities to be Removed from Union Point Development

The board overseeing the redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station is putting the project’s master developer on notice of default for failing to attract development, provide necessary infrastructure and meet its financial obligations.

The Southfield Redevelopment Authority’s board of directors on Wednesday determined that LStar has breached the terms of the disposition and development agreement. The board voted unanimously to have Paul Niedzwiecki, executive director of the SouthField Redevelopment Authority, notify the company that it is in default.

“We don’t take this action lightly because it is a big deal, and it’s not a place we wanted to go,” said Lyndsey Kruzer, chairwoman of the authority’s board of directors.

LStar will have at least 30 days to address the deficiencies, after which the board will decide whether to take further action. That could include terminating the master developer agreement, Kruzer said.

The default notice results from mounting legal and financial challenges facing the developer behind the massive redevelopment project, which includes land in Weymouth, Rockland, and Abington.

via The Patriot Ledger

Permit Issued for Fit Out of Star Market at The Hub on Causeway

A building permit has been issued for the fit out of The Star Market at The Hub on Causeway. The supermarket will be the city's largest at 60,000 square feet with fit-out costs estimated at around $20 million. The new grocery store will be completed by Danvers-based company, CM&B.

Portions of Phase 1 of the project, the parking garage, and the new TD Garden/North Station Entrance are now open. The supermarket is set to open later this year. Other commercial tenants moving into the space include a 15 screen ArcLight movie theatre.

First Step on Volpe Parcel Planned for 2019

Tower Crane in Place for Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport

A tower crane is in place for the upcoming 788,500 square foot Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. The project will feature two 21-story towers connected by a 3-story ground floor podium. The hotel will include over 1,000 guest rooms, 120,000 square feet of meeting and event space, 5,000 square feet of retail, multiple restaurant options, and a spa and fitness center.  The Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport is set to open in early 2021.

Construction Ongoing for Avenu at Natick

Exterior work is progressing for the new 62+ active adult community, Avenu at Natick. The project will include 164 luxurious rental homes along with plenty of amenities including a 16,000-square-foot, landscaped courtyard, a pool deck with cabanas, a private dining room, theater, spa, fitness center, and yoga rooms. The one and two bedroom residences are now leasing with opening expected later this year.

Framing Underway for 314 Main in Kendall Square

Steel framing is underway for the 17 story building at 314 Main Street a key piece of the MIT Kendall Square Initiative. 314 Main will feature 343,000 square feet of office space, 100,000 of which will be home to Boeing. The office space will feature column-free floors, terraces and Boston views.
The project will also include 6,000 square feet of retail and the new MIT Museum

Construction is expected to be complete in 2020.

Construction Underway for Phase III of The Hub on Causeway

With the new entrance to the TD Garden now open and exterior work continuing on the residential tower, another crane is in place and construction has started for the third phase of The Hub on Causeway. This final piece of the puzzle will feature over 650,000 square feet of office space above the podium built during phase 1. Verizon has already committed to a 440,000 square foot lease within the building.

The office tower will feature large floor plates, high ceilings, and an abundance of natural light. The office tower’s most dramatic elements are two-story bump-outs that extend from the corners on several levels, providing bright, open work areas with wide, two-story stairwells connecting floors. Construction on this final phase is set to be complete in 2021.

Construction Ongoing for Children's Hospital Brookline Place Expansion

Construction is ongoing for the renovation and addition for Children's Hospital at Brookline Place. Completion of fireproofing and metal framing is ongoing for the new eight-story building at Two Brookline Place.  Terracotta install is also beginning for the 182,000 square foot building that will feature new medical office space, ambulatory care area, and ground floor retail.

Next door at One Brookline Place brick veneer install is moving forward for the 47,000 square foot addition to the existing building.

New Modern Window Panels in Place for Emerson's Little Building

Impressive floor to ceiling window panels are now in place for the renovation of Emerson's Little Building. The new windows bring a modern touch to the historic building facade. The full renovation of the residence hall will increase housing and social space in the building located directly across from the Boston Common. When complete The Little Building will house 1040 students.

Construction is set to be complete for this coming fall semester.

Site Work Underway for St. Regis Residences, Boston

With demolition complete site work has started for the St. Regis Residences, Boston. The upcoming 22-story tower which sits directly on the waterfront in Boston's Seaport will feature 114 luxurious residences. The building's exterior and interior designs are inspired by this waterfront location. The St. Regis Residences, Boston will also feature a two-level signature restaurant and a new section of the Harborwalk around the property.

Alexandria Submits LOI for South Boston Life Sciences Development

Alexandria Real Estate Equities has submitted a letter of intent for a new life sciences development at 99 A Street in South Boston, MA.

The development would have a height of approximately 6 stories and 95 feet to the top of its roof, with a floor area of approximately 210,000 square feet, a first-level loading dock, and basement-level parking for approximately 75 vehicles.

Work Underway for Slurry Wall at Garden Garage

With the remnants of the old garage out of the way, work is underway to install the 53-panel slurry wall for the upcoming 44-story tower on the site.  The new building is set to house 469 apartments along with 20,000 square feet of resident amenities and 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail. The project will also include a new underground garage with over 800 spaces an increase from the previous garage's capacity. Construction is set to be complete in 2021. 

Cronin Development Brings BAMO on Board to Design Interiors for the St. Regis Residences, Boston

Cronin Development has hired BAMO of San Francisco to design interiors for The St. Regis Residences, Boston. The team, led by principal Billy Quimby, is developing the design for the kitchens, bathrooms, and finishes and fixtures throughout the individual units, as well as creating the full interior vision for the lobby and amenity spaces.

Located at 150 Seaport Boulevard, the residence-only tower will be BAMO’s first ground-up development in the Boston area. Initial designs of the interior spaces show reflections of Boston’s history, culture and maritime heritage with a sail-inspired carved feature wall, nautical reception desk, and the use of hand-forged bronze, barnacle textures, and a palette colored by the tones at water’s edge.

Well-known for both hospitality and residential designs, BAMO is an ideal partner for The Residences. The firm’s residential experience positions it well for interpreting the St. Regis brand for the Boston luxury condominium market.

”In the spirit of the building’s iconic design, the interiors take inspiration from maritime, complementing the forward-thinking vision of Elkus Manfredi Architects and owner Jon Cronin,” said BAMO Principal, Billy Quimby.  “Throughout the residential lobby and amenity spaces, subtle nautical nods and material elements connect the interiors to Boston and the Seaport district, with a level of detail and sophistication for which the St. Regis Brand has come to be known.”

In addition to the maritime influence, BAMO is taking inspiration from a number of local references. The influence of Boston Common’s lush greenery and dappled light reveals itself in the tranquil spa, while materiality in the amenity lounge references the Seaport district during the industrial revolution with detailed stitching, bronze fluting, and decorative blown glass lighting.   Drawing on the yachting lifestyle, The St. Regis Residences, Boston inspire an air of East Coast luxury, offering a unique sense of privacy and exclusivity, while locating owners at the heart of Boston’s most dynamic neighborhood. The interiors will reflect all of these qualities, as well as the exquisite living experience that the St. Regis brand delivers.

“BAMO’s creative spirit and exceptional design talent makes them a terrific partner for us at The St. Regis Residences, Boston,” said Cronin Development CEO Jon Cronin. “With their international hospitality experience, we’re confident their work for us will deliver the most beautiful, luxury experience for our residents.”

Pier 4 Refinanced for $230.4 Million

The property at 130-140 Northern Avenue in Boston's Seaport District has been refinanced for $230.4 million via American General Life Insurance, Variable Annuity Life Insurance, and National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh.

Tishman Speyer's $500 million Pier 4 development project overlooking Boston Harbor features two buildings. A 13-story office building containing 353,000 square feet of office space with 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail that was sold to Commonwealth Partners in August 2018.  The nine-story residential building containing 106 luxurious one-to-four-bedroom condominiums with 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail is still under construction. A total of 37,000 square feet of ground-floor retail will be located at Pier 4. Both buildings will feature rooftop terraces and state-of-the-art amenities. Pier 4 will include a one-acre public waterfront park. A two-level underground parking garage will be located on site.

Exterior Work Wrapping up for Lightview, Northeastern's New Residence Hall

Exterior finishing is wrapping up on the final section of Northeastern's new residence Hall, Lightview. With opening expected this fall, the waitlist is now open for this plush student housing. Lightview will offer over 800 beds across an array of 1 through 4 bedroom floor plans. This project will also feature a host of amenities including a 24 hr fitness center and student lounge.

Building Permit Granted for St. Regis Residences, Boston

A building permit has been granted for the upcoming development at 150 Seaport Boulevard in Boston's Seaport District.

The Upcoming 22-story mixed-use waterfront building is the future home of The St. Regis Residences, Boston. The building will contain 114 residential condominiums, 10,700 square feet of ground and second level retail space, and three levels of underground parking. The ground floor space will feature a signature restaurant.

Glass Facade Install Underway for the Residential Tower at the Hub on Causeway

The glass facade install for the 38 story tower that is part of Phase II of the Hub on Causeway has started. The residential tower will include around 440 units. As part of Phase II a 10 story CitizenM hotel will also be constructed to contain 269 guest rooms.

While this work is ongoing Phase I of the project is nearing completion with the parking garage now open. 

Suffolk Refinances New Headquarters for $50 Million

Suffolk Construction has refinanced their new headquarters at 65 Allerton Street in Roxbury for $50 million via East Boston Savings Bank.

Completed expansion of construction manager Suffolk Construction's existing headquarters facility by 38,000 square feet with new office and amenity space. 

Amenities include an auditorium, collaborative workspace, a new cafeteria, a salon, a massage room, a fitness and wellness center, new conference rooms, a ground-floor outdoor patio, and a second-floor outdoor terrace.

Building Permit Issued for Emerson Renovations at 171 Tremont Street

A building permit has been issued for Emerson's renovations of 171 Tremont Street across from the Boston Common. The full interior renovation will include new partitions, ceilings, and finishes. The renovated building will house a student center with a cultural and spiritual center and health services.

Emerson purchased the property in November 2017 for $24 million after plans for the "Skinny Tower" were scrapped.

Demo Underway for St. Regis Residences

Demolition of Whiskey Priest & The Atlantic Beer Garden along Boston's waterfront has begun to make way for the upcoming St. Regis Residences.  Once the bars have been cleared work will start on the 22 story tower that will hold 114 luxury residences. The project also calls for around 10,000 sf retail space and three levels of underground parking.  

Construction is expected to be complete in around 2 years.

Concrete Core Climbing at 314 Main Street in Kendall Square

The concrete core is climbing for site 5, 314 Main Street, as part of MIT's Kendall Square Initiative.  The upcoming 17 story building will be home to Boeing, who has leased 100K sf of space in the project along with the new 57K sf MIT Museum.  The building will also feature retail and restaurant space on the ground floor.  Construction is expected to be complete in 2020.

Framing Ongoing for Addition at One Broadway

Framing is ongoing for the addition to One Broadway as part of the MIT Kendall Square Initiative. One Broadway will be home to the 19,000 square foot Roche Brothers Marketplace.  The updated ground floor will also include a restaurant and an updated lobby.  Construction on One Broadway is set to be complete in Summer 2019.

Samuels Parcel 12 Proposal Would Unite The Fenway & Back Bay

The block of Massachusetts Avenue between Newbury and Boylston Street is NOT one of the areas that makes Boston a walkable city. It's an unpleasant corner over the highway where walkers and bikers shuttling between The Fenway & Back Bay cross an on-ramp to the Mass Pike.

The proposal submitted to the city earlier this week from Samuels and Associates would make drastic improvements in this area as part of their 545K mixed-use project.  The Parcel 12 project would feature two buildings, an office tower and another for hotel/residential use.  A podium below will also include retail and restaurant space. Samuels proposal would also reopen a pedestrian tunnel to the Hynes Convention Center MBTA station and provide sidewalk improvements to the area.

The project is currently under review and the development team hopes to start site work next year.

Window Install Beings for Emerson's Little Building

Window install is underway along with continued work on the facade for the full overhaul of Emerson's Little Building across from the Boston Common. The 275K sf building is undergoing interior renovations and facade restoration.  The project will also add a 13th floor to the building and allows Emerson to gain an additional 294 student beds.

Certificate of Occupancy Issued for First Sections of The Hub on Causeway

A certificate of occupancy has been issued for the new parking garage at The Hub on Causeway along with other sections of Champions Row.  The new parking garage brings 540 new parking spaces to the existing garage.  This first phase of the project also includes the new entrance to TD Garden along with North Station and 64,000 sf of expansion space for the arena. Expected to open soon are additional sections of Phase One including the Start Market and ArcLight Cinemas.

Exterior Work Underway for Children's Hospital Redevelopment at Brookline Place

With structural steel in place at One Brookline Place and the penthouse being completed next door at Two Brookline Place, exterior work is now beginning along with rough install of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and sprinkler systems throughout both buildings.

The project will feature a new eight-story, 182,500 sf building (Two Brookline Place) and add a six-story, 47,000 square foot addition to the existing six-story One Brookline Place medical building. The new Two Brookline Place will include a medical office and ambulatory care space on upper floors with retail along the ground floor. 

Window Install & Exterior Work Continue for New NU Dorm

Construction continues for Northeastern's upcoming 21-story dorm along Columbus Avenue in Roxbury.  When complete, the large project will include 812 beds along with a host of student amenities including a lounge gaming area and fitness center. American Campus Communities, the nation’s largest student housing developer,  will manage the building upon opening. 

Construction is expected to be complete in August 2019.

Site Work Underway for Garden Garage

With demo complete, site work is underway for the upcoming 44-story tower that will replace the Garden Garage.  The project is set to include 469 apartments and underground parking for 830 cars. The tower will also include around 20,000 sf of common resident amenities and approximately 2,300 sf of ground-floor retail space.

Construction is expected to be completed in late 2021. 

Phase One of the Hub on Causeway Set to Open November 1st

With construction rapidly progressing, Chris Maher, VP Development at Deleware North, told the audience at ULI's fall meeting that Phase One of The Hub on Causeway will open on November 1st.  The new entrance to the TD Garden and North Station is the centerpiece of this design and offers a striking impression from Causeway Street.

This first phase will also include a 60,000sf Star Market, 15 screen ArcLight Cinema along with 540 parking spaces and 64,000sf of the TD Garden expansion space. Phase Two of the project will consist of a 38-story residential tower with approximately 440 units and a 10-story citizenM hotel tower with approximately 260 rooms. Phase Three will consist of a 21-story office tower totaling approximately 525,000 square feet.

Construction Continues on Pier 4 Luxury Condos

Construction continues on the upcoming luxury condos at Pier 4 in Boston's Seaport. The 9 story building will feature 106 residences and 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Resident amenities will include an exclusive residents club, an outdoor terrace with a fire pit, and state of the art fitness center.
Units are on sale now with an expected opening in early 2019.

Foundation Pile Install Underway for Omni Seaport

Foundation piles are being driven for the upcoming Omni Hotel in Boston's Seaport. The new hotel across from The Boston Convention Center will include 1055 rooms and 120,000 sf of meeting and event space.  Guest amenities will include a rooftop pool, spa, and could also feature an above-ground skating rink.  The hotel will be connected to the Convention Center by an existing underground tunnel.
Construction on the project is expected to be complete in 2021.

Seaport Development Financed for $341 Million

Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) announced $341 million in construction financing and joint venture equity for the development of The St. Regis Residences, Boston, an iconic, luxury waterfront condominium tower located on one of the last remaining developable waterfront parcels in downtown Boston.

The HFF team worked as an exclusive advisor to the developer, Cronin Development, to secure $306.5 million in construction financing from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.  Additionally, HFF advised Cronin Development in structuring a joint venture equity partnership for $34.5 million with a private equity partner, the JCM Opportunity Fund I, LLC, a subsidiary holding of Joyal Capital Management led by Gary F. Joyal, CEO and managing partner.

With 114 units spread over 22 stories, The St. Regis Residences, Boston features a twisting and angular contemporary design evoking billowing sails in a nod to its nautical location.  Every single residence in this architecturally significant building offers sweeping views of Boston or Boston Harbor as well as extensive access to outdoor space. The Residences will also include underground parking, a two-story signature restaurant, five-star amenities and customized services for owners.

Boston's First St. Regis Breaks Ground

Yesterday’s groundbreaking for the St. Regis Residences on Boston’s waterfront gave a glimpse into the luxury that residents will enjoy from one of the top luxury brands in the world. Guests to the groundbreaking were greeted by a string quartet and the Boston Police Galic Column and Drums bagpipe band. Instead of the ceremonial shoveling of dirt, the team opted for the sabering of champagne!

Jon Cronin, Founder of the Cronin Group, spoke about 12-year journey of the project and the importance of the site. He commended the late Howard Elkus on his visionary and beautiful design that mimics a billowing sail and will act as a gateway to Boston Harbor. The design is also on the cutting edge of climate resiliency with deployable flood barriers and other allowances for possible rising sea levels. The project will also provide for public waterfront access in an area where it does not currently exist.

The site at 150 Seaport Blvd, soon to the home of the St. Regis Residences

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito was on hand for the ceremony along with Congressman Stephen Lynch and Mayor Marty Walsh.  All spoke of The Cronin family's commitment to the City of Boston and Jon Cronin’s active participation in various local charities including his contribution to the Martin Richard Park, just a few blocks from the St. Regis.

The upcoming St. Regis Residences will feature 114 luxury condominiums ranging from one-bedroom units to penthouse homes.  All residents will have access to the brand’s renowned signature services and amenities, including concierge and butler service. The project will also feature a pool, spa, health club, library and golf simulation room. 

The Cronin Group hopes to be cutting the ribbon on the luxurious waterfront residences in just under 2 years.

Concrete Core Construction Underway at 314 Main Street

The first tower crane is now in place at 314 Main Street, lot 5 of MIT's Kendall Square revamp, with the second crane to be installed in just a few days time.  Work is also ongoing for the concrete core of the upcoming 17-story building that will be home to Boeing, the world's largest aerospace company, who has leased 100,000 square feet of the project. 314 Main Street will also house the new 57,000 square foot MIT Museum and feature retail and restaurant space on the ground floor.

Construction is expected to be complete in 2020.

Exterior Work Progresses on Phase One of the Hub on Causeway

Exterior work on the first phase of the Hub on Causeway is rapidly progressing with expected opening later this year. Phase one of the project includes 175,000 square feet of creative office space and 210,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space. Last month Boston Properties & Delaware North announced 75% of space is already leased.  Phase One also includes a new grand entrance to the TD Garden and entry for North Station.

Phase Two of the project, the 38-story residential tower set to include around 440 units and a 10-story citizenM hotel is expected to be complete in late 2019.

The Benjamin & Via Refinanced for $468 Million

The Benjamin & Via in Boston's Seaport District has been refinanced for $468 million via American General Life Insurance Company.

The Benjamin & VIA encompass Boston’s largest mixed-use project in over 30 years, spanning 1.5 million residential and retail square feet over three acres of land. Located in the heart of the Seaport District, The Benjamin (22 stories tall) and VIA (20 stories tall) are built to the highest standard of modern luxury and feature sweeping Boston skyline and Boston Harbor views

UMass Boston Opens First Residence Hall

UMass Boston celebrated the opening of their first-ever residence hall with a ribbon cutting earlier this week (Tuesday, 8/28).  The $120 million project will house 1077 students, who will start moving in this weekend.  The 260,000-square-foot complex also features study lounges, a dining commons and seminar rooms.

Seaport District Office Building Sells for $450 Million

CommonWealth Partners of Los Angeles has acquired the property at 200 Pier 4 Boulevard for a historic price of $450 million.  The building is part of Tishman Speyer's $500 million Pier 4 development project overlooking Boston Harbor.

The property features a 13-story office building containing 353,000 square feet of office space with 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.

New Facade Install Underway at Emerson's Little Building

Facade install is underway along Boylston Street for Emerson's Little Building renovation. Interior renovations of the 275,000 sf dorm are also ongoing. Construction on the project is set to be complete in Fall 2019.

Site Work Continues for Omni Hotel Seaport

After the groundbreaking earlier this summer, site works continues for the upcoming Omni Hotel in the Seaport.  The 21 story hotel is set to include 1055 guest rooms along with the largest hotel ballroom in Boston.  The Omni will also feature the French Brasserie and a signature Mokara Spa and fitness center as well as an elevated pool bar and grill with the Boston skyline as its backdrop.

The $550 million hotel, across from Boston's Convention Center, is set to open in 2021.

Emerson Receives Approval for Full Renovation of 171 Tremont Street

The BPDA has approved Emerson's proposal for full interior renovation of 171-172 Tremont Street.  The property, directly across from the Boston Common was purchased by Emerson in 2017 after the prior developer scrapped plans for a 13 story condo tower.  Emerson now plans to renovate the property to house a student center.  The new student center will feature a cultural center, a spiritual life center, and health services.

Work Continues on Pier 4 Condos: Expected Opening Early 2019

Work continues on the condominium building at the Pier 4 development in the Seaport. The 9 story building will feature 106 luxury condos ranging from 1 to 4 bedrooms all with their own private outdoor space.  The ground floor of the project will house a 140 seat farm-to-table restaurant.
Pre-sale has already kicked off with expected completion in the 1st quarter of 2019.

Exterior Work Ongoing at Northeastern's New Mega Dorm

Exterior work continues on Northeastern University's new 21 story student housing complex on Columbus Avenue in Roxbury.  The $160 million project will include a total of 812 beds spread throughout a mix of two and four bedroom apartments.  Residents will also have access to 12,000 sf of common amenity space and a fitness center.  The ground floor will house 3,000 sf of retail.  American Campus Communities will manage the tower once complete.

Plumbing Permit Issued for Upcoming High Rise

A plumbing permit has been issued for the Garden Garage development, including the installation of plumbing fixtures, plumbing equipment, and all associated piping throughout the P5 Garage Level through the 47th floor (roof).

The development will consist of the replacement of existing 650-space parking garage with a 469-unit residential apartment tower. The tower will include approximately 20,000 square feet of common resident amenities and approximately 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Winter Street Development Mortgaged for $78.8 Million

Marcus Partners and the Davis Companies have mortgaged their Winter Street Development for $78.8 Million via Citizens Bank.

900 Winter Street is a new construction 220,000 square-foot lab and office facility for Alkermes, a global biopharmaceutical company known for its research and drug development, on the Reservoir Woods Campus. The new building, located at 900 Winter Street will be an on-campus expansion of Alkermes’ current facility within Reservoir Woods at 852 Winter Street enabling the company to expand both its research and development capabilities and accommodate its growing staff.

The Hub on Causeway More Than 75% Leased

Delaware North and Boston Properties have announced that with the signing of a lease with Verizon for 440,000 square feet of space, The Hub on Causeway project is more than 75 percent leased.

The 1.87 million square foot mixed-use development will feature three towers with retail, office, hotel, and residential uses. Completion of Phase One of The Hub on Causeway is expected in late 2018. Phase Two will consist of a 38-story residential tower with approximately 440 units and a 10-story citizenM hotel tower with approximately 260 rooms. Phase Three will consist of a 21-story office tower totaling approximately 525,000 square feet.

Boeing will be Kendall Square Initiative’s First Major Tenant

Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company, will soon become part of the MIT/Kendall Square innovation fabric. The company has agreed to lease approximately 100,000 square feet at MIT’s building to be developed at 314 Main St., in the heart of Kendall Square in Cambridge.

“Our focus on advancing the Kendall Square innovation ecosystem includes a deep and historic understanding of what we call the ‘power of proximity’ to address pressing global challenges,” MIT Executive Vice President and Treasurer Israel Ruiz says. “MIT’s president, L. Rafael Reif, has made clear his objective of reducing the time it takes to move ideas from the classroom and lab out to the market. The power of proximity is a dynamic that propels this concept forward: Just as pharmaceutical, biotech, and tech sector scientists in Kendall Square work closely with their nearby MIT colleagues, Boeing and MIT researchers will be able to strengthen their collaborative ties to further chart the course of the aerospace industry.”

Boston Properties Acquires Office Tower Parcel, Office Light and Air Easement Area

Boston Properties has acquired the Office Tower Parcel, Office Light and Air Easement Area at The Hub on Causeway for $37.59 million.

The area, totaling 75,445 square-feet is part of the $950 million mixed-use development featuring three towers with retail, office, hotel and residential uses.

Kimco Realty Aims To Redevelop Brighton Property

Kimco Realty has filed a Letter of Intent to redevelop their property known as Washington Street Plaza in Brighton.

According to the letter, "The approximately 2.3-acre site is bounded by Corey Road, Washington Street, Allston Street and residential properties, and is currently operated as a Whole Foods and Citizens Bank with surface parking.

The proposed redevelopment program involves the relocation of the Whole Foods and Citizens Bank on site (comprising approximately 49,346 square-feet of commercial space), and the addition of approximately 270 multifamily dwelling units, with structured accessory parking.

The Project will comply with Inclusionary Development Policy requirements in support of affordable housing for Boston."

Exterior Work Nearing Completion at Emmanuel College's Julia Hall

St. Regis-branded Residences Coming to Boston

Cronin Development today announced plans to debut The St. Regis Residences, Boston in 2020 within a luxury residential-only tower set to become a recognizable landmark on the city’s skyline. The St. Regis Residences, Boston will rise at 150 Seaport Boulevard and feature expansive views of Boston Harbor.

“The St. Regis brand evokes the highest level of luxury and we are thrilled to bring this iconic brand to Boston’s residents for the first time,” said Cronin Development Founder Jon Cronin. “Our team is incredibly inspired to deliver this building, which will offer exceptional privacy in addition to exemplary services, amenities and benefits – and at an extraordinary location, resting directly on Boston’s waterfront.”

The St. Regis Residences, Boston, will feature 114 luxury condominiums ranging from one-bedroom units to penthouse homes with access to the brand’s renowned signature services and amenities, including concierge and butler service. Amenities will also include a swimming pool, spa, health club library and golf simulation room - all exclusive to owners.

The building will be known for its unique architecture and exquisite design. Legendary Boston architect Howard Elkus of Elkus Manfredi designed 150 Seaport Boulevard with a billowing style specifically to mimic the curvilinear shape of a tall ship at sail. It will stand 22 stories tall at the gateway to Boston Harbor. On the ground and second level, owners and their guests will also be able to enjoy a signature restaurant experience that will also cater to area visitors, neighbors, and office workers.

“Boston is a dynamic residential market and perfect for the modern glamour of St. Regis-branded residences,” said Dana Jacobsohn, Global Mixed Use Development, Marriott International. “We’re excited to add The St. Regis Residences Boston, to our growing portfolio of branded residential projects around the world.”

Board Approves 7INK by Ollie

The 217 Albany Street project is located in the South End bordering Chinatown. The majority of the project site currently consists of service area parking and driveway associated with Ink Block residential buildings and the existing Ink Block Whole Foods grocery store, as well as a vacant two-story brick building formerly occupied by the Transit Insurance Agency.

The project will construct a new all-inclusive, co-living, 14-story residential building. This will include apartments with efficient layouts, making use of reduced square footage as compared to conventional studio apartments. This is accomplished through a hotel-style residential amenities program that includes a common kitchen and lounge, co-working and meeting space, as well as fitness facilities, shared rooftop space, and housekeeping services. The building will contain up to 250 units containing 327 individually leased bedrooms, within 197 studios known as “microunits”, 35 two-bedroom units, 12 three-bedroom units, and six four-bedroom units. Each unit has its own private kitchen, bathroom and living areas. The proposed residential units will be “move-in ready” with furniture, premium Wi-Fi,  and television connections. Another unique aspect of this residential concept is the inclusion of a live-in community manager to organize regular social events for residents in the building.

The project will not include any on-site parking, instead, residents will be encouraged to utilize nearby MBTA train and bus service, taxis, and private ride services. Car sharing services such as Zipcar are also available in the immediate vicinity of the project site. Short- and long-term monthly public parking for residents will be available at the 175-space “Underground at Ink Block” parking facility across Albany Street under I-93. Secure bicycle storage will also be provided within the project building for residents and any building support staff.

Construction Continues at One Broadway as Part of MIT Kendall Initiative

Construction is ongoing at One Broadway in Kendall Square to make way for the new 19,000 square-foot Brothers Marketplace. Roche Bros. Supermarkets signed a lease on the space late last year, bringing a much-needed grocery store to Kendall Square.  

The updated ground floor at One Broadway will also include a restaurant, new space for Dunkin Donuts, and an updated lobby.  Work on this part of the project is set to be complete in summer 2019. These improvements are part of a larger MIT Kendall Initiative which includes 6 new buildings for this Cambridge neighborhood.

Phase II Underway at Brookline Place

Phase II underway at Brookline Place as a temporary surface parking lot, which supplied parking for the existing six-story One Brookline Place medical office building during the garage’s construction, is now being razed to make way for Two Brookline Place.

Two Brookline place is an upcoming eight-story, 182,500 square-foot building, that will feature medical office and ambulatory care space, as well as ground-floor retail. Also, underway is a six-story, 47,000 square foot addition to One Brookline Place.

The project completion date remains on schedule for late 2018 using Touchplan, a construction software that allows developers to plan, implement, and monitor projects in their entirety. The innovative software gives developers the ability to see the full spectrum of their project down to every last detail. Touchplan has let developers keep their projects on or ahead of time leading to lower costs and more efficient construction.

Flour Prepares For September Opening

The 8th Flour location plans to open this September in Boston's Innovation and Design Building. Permitting includes a change of occupancy to include commissary kitchen with an interior fit-out of a new commercial kitchen in accordance with plans filed. Additional work includes new flooring, ceilings, kitchen equipment, and new MEP equipment.

Flour was founded in 2000 by Joanne Chang and has become Boston's most popular bakery and cafe. In 2016, Chang won a James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker.

Suffolk Strengthens Roxbury Roots

When Suffolk Construction decided to ditch plans to move their headquarters from Roxbury to the Seaport, they needed to establish how they were going to expand their current location. With a $22 million project, Suffolk decided on a 38,000 square-foot, three-story addition that included a large auditorium, a new employee cafeteria, fitness center, and an outdoor space.

The expansion was designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, with next phase of in the project including a renovation to the interior of Suffolk’s original Roxbury building. The expanded area will also feature the launch of Smart Lab, the company’s collaborative workspace that will test and scale new technologies.

The expansion was completed this past October (2017) and has allowed Suffolk to stay active in the community, something that highly emphasized by CEO, John FIsh.

The project was completed on schedule using Touchplan, a construction software that allows developers to plan, implement, and monitor projects in their entirety. The innovative software gives developers the ability to see the full spectrum of their project down to every last detail. Touchplan has let developers keep their projects on or ahead of time leading to lower costs and more efficient construction.

Phase I Continues at The Hub on Causeway

With every passing day, The Hub on Causeway continues to rise uo into the Boston skyline. The 1.87 million square-foot mixed use development is transforming the rapidly changing Bulfinch Triangle surrounding the TD Garden. Glass installation is underway as the building's exterior begins to take shape.

Phase I of the three phase project is expected to be complete in late 2018 and will consist of 459,000 square-feet of office, retail, restaurant, and outdoor space.

Demolition Underway at Garden Garage

Demolition has begun on the Garden Garage in Boston's West End.  A new 44-story, 469-unit residential tower will be built on the site once it has been cleared.  The new project will include around 20,000 sf of resident amenities and an underground parking garage with 830 spaces.

The building is scheduled to open in late 2021.

Certificate of Occupancy at The Circle in Brighton

Certificate of occupancy issued for the AC Hotel in Cleveland Circle (The Circle). The 218,520 square foot mixed-use development at the former Circle Cinema site in Cleveland Circle features both a five-story, 162-room AC Hotel by Marriott and a six-story, 92-unit Waterstone luxury adult apartment community will be located at The Circle.

The project includes a total of approximately 14,000 square feet of retail space. A total of 188 parking spaces are on site, including 103 in underground parking garages underneath both buildings and 85 at-grade spaces.

Boston Celtics and New Balance Open “The Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters"

The 17-time NBA Champion Boston Celtics together with New Balance Athletics and NB Development opened the Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters on June 19th as the team’s official practice facility. The 70,000 square foot structure at Boston Landing boasts best-in-class technology and equipment across strength and conditioning, recovery, sports science, and nutrition - each geared towards optimizing athlete performance.

The Auerbach Center, or “Red’s House,” is the centerpiece of the wide-ranging initiative between the Boston Celtics and New Balance. The relationship includes a shared focus on performance, innovation and community give-back, and has its origins in a little-known but formative friendship between the patriarchs of the two Boston institutions.

The bond dates back to the late 1970s, when Arnold “Red” Auerbach, then the President and General Manager of the Boston Celtics, served as a mentor to current New Balance Chairman, Jim Davis. The two entrepreneurial minds met regularly to share thinking on establishing winning cultures for their respective organizations. That spirit remains intact and informed every aspect of this collaboration.

“The Auerbach Center will be the foundation on which future great Celtics teams will be built,” said Wyc Grousbeck, Boston Celtics Governor, and Managing Partner. “We are so glad to honor Red, the architect of Celtic Pride, in this way, and to work with New Balance to build this stunning facility.”

“New Balance is extremely proud to join with the Boston Celtics in honoring Red Auerbach’s professional achievements and personal values of teamwork and integrity through the opening of ‘Red’s House’ at Boston Landing,” said Jim Davis, Chairman at New Balance. “Red Auerbach was a true entrepreneur whose passion for winning and dedication to the sport of basketball and the Boston Celtics was equally matched with his commitment to people and the Boston community.”

“Boston Landing is a great example of successful collaboration between the private and public sector to expand development opportunities for the Allston-Brighton community,” said Governor Baker. “Our administration has been pleased to play a role in this area’s expansion and we look forward to seeing the Boston Celtics and New Balance open the Auerbach Center to honor Red Auerbach’s legacy and use the space to build leaders on the court and in the community.”

“Red Auerbach’s legacy burns bright in Boston, and nowhere is that more evident than right at Red’s House,” said Mayor Walsh. “This new facility brings our Celtics home, so they won’t just be winning in Boston, but they’ll be training in Boston as well. I thank the Celtics and New Balance for making Boston a championship city, for earning the banners, for honoring Red’s legacy and putting an emphasis on community, making sure the spirit of the team also extends into Boston’s neighborhoods.”

State-Of-The-Art Facility

The 70,000 square-foot Auerbach Center is a striking addition to Boston Landing, cantilevered 55 feet in the air out to the edge of the Mass Pike and its hundreds of thousands of weekly commuters. It features a forty-foot glass wall that overlooks the practice courts and replicas of the team’s 17 NBA Championship banners. The comprehensive training facility has a wide range of features to optimize player performance, health, and recovery, as well as build team camaraderie, through the integration of:

• Two full-sized parquet floor NBA basketball courts

• Sports science lab and performance equipment, including floor-embedded force plates, and other systems for detailed player-performance data collection

• Expanded strength and conditioning, training, and recovery facilities, including a 40-foot exercise pool, hydrotherapy pools, and a float tank

• Medical exam room with GE Medical Imaging and measuring equipment

• Specially attuned energy efficient GE lighting systems

• Full commercial kitchen and nutrition facilities

• Leading edge audio-visual technology throughout the facility

• Best-in-class players’ locker rooms, auxiliary men’s and women’s locker rooms, players’ lounge, and nap room

• Expanded media workroom, press conference, and broadcast facilities
  
  

• Flexible hospitality area designed for community relations activities, partner gatherings and other guest events
  
  

• Enhanced workspace for the team’s coaching and basketball front office staffs

Commitment to Community

One of the many shared values between the Boston Celtics and New Balance is a commitment to the community. In keeping with this joint mission, the Celtics worked with New Balance Foundation to renovate the basketball court at the West End House Boys & Girls Club in Allston. Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens will lead a basketball clinic at the Club this Thursday, June 21 at 4:00 p.m. to celebrate the renovation. This is one of several community initiatives on which the organizations will collaborate.

World Class Collaboration

A project of such scale and significance can only be completed by a world-class team working in perfect collaboration. The following vendors made valuable contributions as part of this team:

• NB Development Group

• Elkus Manfredi Architects

• John Moriarty & Associates General Contractors

• BR+A Engineering

• GE

• Lucinda Loya Interiors

• Erik Rueda Design

• SMMA Architects

• AECOM Architects

• Connor Sports Flooring

• Kenvo Flooring

• Goodwin

• Posternak Blankstein & Lund LLP

• CBRE (fka Transwestern)

Notice of Project Change for Phase III of The Hub on Causeway

Phase III of Hub on Causeway, is moving forward with a Notice of Project Change (NPC) that will update the office design, responding to a new generation of office and workforce needs. The updates include the flexibility to accommodate future changes of the building’s tenants. 

The project, located on 80 Causeway,  was originally approved in 2013 and is currently under construction at the former site of the Boston Garden, adjacent to TD North and North Station. 

The approved changes include: higher floor to floor heights, floors with increased ceiling heights, enclosed two story balconies in certain portions of the office tower, outdoor terraces on specific levels of the office tower, a  higher occupiable floor above the project’s podium and larger maximum floor plates and office height tower from grade.

Emerson Little Building Renovation Underway

 Emerson College is currently undertaking a renovation and rehabilitation at the “Little Building” located at 80 Boylston Street in downtown Boston. The college is planning to replace the deteriorating façade, renovate the dining hall and increase social space for students. 294 additional student beds are being added to the current bed-count of 750. Architecture firm Elkus Manfredi is heading up the re-design.

Skylounge Now Open at Siena at Ink Block

The Skylounge rooftop is now open at Siena at Ink Block. Reserved for residents of Siena, the Skylounge is tailor-made for entertaining needs, from special occasions to mid-week gatherings. Head to the Skylounge for an after-work cocktail. Unwind by the sparkling fireplace in the lounge. Get the party started by the outdoor fire pit. Or treat guests to dry-aged steaks cooked to perfection on the gas grill.

This Boston roof deck is like no other. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, every detail is thought through. Take the large garage-style door that lets light pour in and air flow freely between the lounge and the deck during mild summer nights. Or consider the surprising pops of color and refined millwork throughout the rooftop Skylounge, a nod to the fashion-forward styles and tailored lines of Siena, Italy.

Exterior illumination lends a tranquil feel to the space and creates an intriguing crisscross pattern on the façade, just enough for passersby below to notice. Even as you take a seat in one of the elegant sectionals on the deck, glass railings provide unobstructed views of the city.

Mainely Burgers to Open a Second Brick and Mortar Location at Boston Landing

NB Development Group announced the signing of Mainely Burgers as the most recent retail lease at Boston Landing.  The Mainely signing will kick off the retail leasing in the residential building, Lantera by taking 2,134 square-feet on the ground floor.

Mainely Burgers, now in its seventh year, started with a summer food truck in Maine. Since 2012, the Maine business has grown to two burger trucks and one ice cream truck, aptly named Mainely Treats. In September of 2016, the company opened its first brick and mortar restaurant in Central Square, Cambridge. Mainely Burgers is owned and operated by brothers Jack and Max Barber, 2016 and 2017 graduates of Babson College.

“Mainely Burgers at Boston Landing will be a welcome addition to our growing group of retailers.  There is a demand in this area for quick grab and go options of delicious food, and Mainely will most certainly fulfill that need,” says Erin Harvey, Senior Leasing and Marketing Manager, NB Development Group

“Jack and I are wicked excited for Mainely Burgers at Boston Landing. It feels great to join the community of like-minded companies and partner with NBDG and Graffito, who understand the value of local business. We are super stoked to share our Maine roots and recipes with Boston Landing.” – Max Barber, co-owner

“Mainely Burgers is a beloved local, independent, family-run restaurant in Cambridge.  They serve-up delicious comfort food in a warm and inviting atmosphere; a place everyone will enjoy.  The Graffito team is excited to welcome Mainely Burgers to Boston Landing this fall and continue to build on the strong mix of retail on site.” David Downing, Graffito SP, representing retail broker.

Boston Landing is currently marketing its second phase of retail that includes approximately 14,000 square-feet on the ground floor of the Lantera residential building and an additional 5,600 square-feet on the ground floor of 40 Guest Street, home of the Boston Celtics practice and training facility opening Summer 2018.

Mainely Burgers joins a growing group of retailers at Boston Landing including the New Balance Flagship store, Rail Stop Restaurant and Bar, NB Fitness Club, Kohi Coffee Co., Flatbread Brighton and the recently announced Cambridge Naturals. For more information about Mainely Burgers please visit mainelyburgers.com.

Grand Opening Ceremony for The Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters

On Tuesday, June 19th, the Boston Celtics will unveil their new practice facility, The Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters. The Auerbach Center is the latest dramatic element at Boston Landing — at 55 feet in the air cantilevered out to the edge of the Mass Pike. The Celtics’ new 70,000 square foot practice home is highly visible from the Massachusetts Turnpike with a forty-foot glass wall enclosing the practice courts that face the approximately 130,000 daily commuters.

Wyc Grousbeck and Rich Gotham of the Boston Celtics, Jim Davis of New Balance Athletics, Jim Halliday, of NB Development Group, Governor Charlie Baker, and Mayor Martin J. Walsh will all be in attendance.

Living Proof Leases Space at Innovation and Design Building

The Cambridge-based cosmetic company, Living Proof, has leased 27,528 square-feet of space on the 6th floor at the Innovation and Design Building in the Seaport District of Boston.

The company will be joining other tenants in the building such as Reebok, MassChallenge, and Autodesk.

Currently the company works out of 301 Binney St in Cambridge.

Omni Hotel Ground Breaking Ceremony

On Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018, the Seaport celebrated another highly anticipated and welcome addition with the Omni Boston Seaport Hotel ground breaking ceremony.  Mayor Marty Walsh, Governor Charlie Baker, Massport CEO Tom Glynn, and John G. Davis of New Boston Hospitality all took part in the event.

The $550 million project, will be located on a 2.1-acre parcel across from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC). The new a 1,054-room 788,500-square-foot hotel will feature two new 21-story towers connected by a three-story ground-floor podium.

citizenM Leases Space for $45 Million at The Hub On Causeway

Dutch boutique hotel chain citizenM has officially leased space for the upcoming 10-story, 260-room hotel at The Hub on Causeway for $45 million. citizenM operates nine hotels worldwide in Europe and New York City featuring trendy, stylish rooms and common spaces. Key amenities at citizenM hotels include free Wi-Fi throughout, designer furniture and ultra-comfortable beds.

AC Hotel Construction Complete in Cleveland Circle

Construction of the AC Hotel in Cleveland Circle is now complete with a planned opening for mid-May. The 218,520 square foot mixed-use development at the former Circle Cinema site in Cleveland Circle will feature both a five-story, 162-room AC Hotel by Marriott and a six-story, 92-unit Waterstone luxury adult apartment community will be located at The Circle. 

The project includes a total of approximately 14,000 square feet of retail space. A total of 188 parking spaces are on site, including 103 in underground parking garages underneath both buildings and 85 at-grade spaces.

A New Era in Kendall Square

via MIT News

As construction continues, the MIT Kendall Square Initiative project is expected to offer significant benefits for Cambridge, for MIT, and for the region. 

It will bring new housing units to one of the most sought-after parts of the city, as well as major new research and development facilities to what is already, as The Boston Globe recently described the Kendall area, “the beating heart of biotech. And if Kendall is the beating heart, then MIT must be the aorta. …” 

The new facilities will provide even greater opportunities for interaction and cross-fertilization between the biotech and other high-tech companies that have flocked to the area, and the students and faculty of MIT, whose presence helped draw those companies in the first place. 

The intermingling of these academic and commercial communities should further enhance the already abundant opportunity for partnerships, internships, collaborations, and serendipitous meetings.

The large development project remains on schedule using Touchplan, a construction software that allows developers to plan, implement, and monitor projects in their entirety. The innovative software gives developers the ability to see the full spectrum of their project down to every last detail. Touchplan has let developers keep their projects on or ahead of time leading to lower costs and more efficient construction.

Construction Complete at 50 Liberty

Construction of the luxury condo building on  Fan Pier is now complete. 50 Liberty features breathtaking views of Boston Harbor and the Downtown Boston skyline. Residents are situated at the heart of Boston's most innovative neighborhood, the Seaport District, steps to multiple dining and entertainment options. Residential amenities include top luxury finishes, floor-to-ceiling glass window walls, warm wood floors and high ceilings throughout. Building amenities will include a private waterfront club room, a boardroom for meetings, a private gym, 24-hour concierge service and underground garage parking. Luxury condominiums at 50 Liberty are now on sale. 

Visit 50Liberty.com for more information.

A look at Facebook's New Boston Office

via Bostinno

Facebook is planning to hire more than 500 employees for its new office in Cambridge, according to Ryan Mack, Facebook Boston site lead, who discussed more the move and the company’s hiring plans.

“We’re always hiring,” Mack said in an interview. “We’re actively recruiting and I’d be happy to talk with people.”

Here’s what we know so far about the new Facebook office (and the types of jobs it’s looking to hire).

The new office

The company moved from its current location at One Broadway to 100 Binney St. The two locations are less than a 10-minute walking distance from each other in the Kendall Square area. Mack said that the new space is around 130,000 square feet, so six times the size of the current space.

How many positions?

Mack estimates that the new space has a capacity of 650 employees. Currently, over 100 people work in the Boston office.

What profiles is Facebook Boston looking for?

Primarily, technical and engineers. “We are hiring software engineers focusing on infrastructure, mobile application development, networking, compilers, data warehouses, machine learning experts and data scientists,” Mack said. In the Facebook Boston location, employees focus on machine learning and how to scale machine learning efficiently, among other things.

How to apply?

Currently, the Facebook careers page lists 20 openings for Boston. The company is looking for software engineers with different specializations, including machine learning, traffic infrastructure, iOS and Android. Minimum qualifications include bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or related fields and at least one year of software development experience (but requirements may vary). There are also tech openings for university grads, interns and Ph.D. university grads.

Phase 1 Continues

Phase I of the Hub on Causeway continues as construction stays on pace for completion in 2018. The first phase of construction consists of 210,000 total square feet of multi-level retail/restaurant space, including the city of Boston’s largest supermarket, a 60,000 square foot Star Market, and the Northeast’s first ArcLight Cinema, ArcLight Boston, a 60,000 square foot theater with 15 screens.

L.L.BEAN CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF ITS FIRST URBAN STORE AT ONE SEAPORT
New England neighbor brings the joy of the outdoors to Boston April 6
 

March 27, 2018 – Boston, MA – New England outdoor retailer L.L.Bean, best known for its L.L.Bean Boots and world-class customer service, announced the grand opening of its very first urban retail store at One Seaport in Boston on April 6 at 9 a.m. 

The 8,600-square-foot store will feature an assortment of active and casual apparel, outerwear and footwear, as well as a variety of outdoor gear curated specifically for residents and visitors of Boston.
 
The grand opening celebration will begin on Friday, April 6 and go through Sunday, April 8. Everyone is invited to the three-day event featuring giveaways, games, a weekend block party, L.L.Bean’s famous Bootmobile and more.
 
For more information about L.L.Bean’s One Seaport store and the grand opening event, including a detailed schedule of events, visit http://www.llbean.com/seaport

1000 Boylston Gets the Green Light From BPDA to Move Forward

This project might not seem all that different than all the other 400ft+ towers going up in Boston but, it is.  This mixed-use project will have 2 floors of retail and a tower full of unique condos with no layout being the same.  It's being built in an area of Bolyston st in the Back Bay near Berklee performing arts center.  What makes this one of the most unique projects approved in 2018 is the incorporation of Mass Pike air rights.  This is one of the first projects in many years to be built over the mass pike.  In fact, Air rights projects can transform cities in very powerful ways and definitely something to watch as developers look for creative ways to build in Boston.

Take a look at the picture below to get a feel for the approximate area that the project will be covering the Mass Pike.

The project includes one residential building with up to 108 units and a building height of 484 feet. The residential building will rise out of a five-story podium. The first and second stories of the podium will contain approximately 45,500 square feet of retail and restaurant space facing Dalton, Boylston, and St. Cecilia Streets. The third and fourth stories of the podium will contain a parking garage with 175 parking spaces, which will be accessible from Scotia Street. The podium will also include a ground-floor residential lobby, as well as fifth-floor amenity space for the residential portion of the project.

NEW OMNI HOTEL WILL GET BCEC ‘PAST THE TIPPING POINT,’ DAVID GIBBONS SAYS
Mass Convention Center Authority Executive Director Addresses MassEcon Members Meeting

WESTBOROUGH, MA – Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Executive Director David Gibbons told
MassEcon members today that the Omni hotel now under construction, with 1,050 rooms, will get the Boston
Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) “past the tipping point” toward the estimated 3,500 nearby hotel rooms that were forecast as needed when the convention facility was planned in the 1990s. About 2,000 rooms had been built toward that goal, but many of them were limited service hotels, which are not as helpful to convention center business as big groups work to book blocks of rooms several years ahead, Gibbons said.

The new hotel is scheduled to open in 2021. Having enough hotel rooms within a nearby walk of the exhibition space is critical to the success of the venue, Gibbons reported. Gibbons outlined an increasingly positive financial picture of the BCEC, which he said functions as an economic engine for the region’s hospitality industry and larger economy and has been statutorily allowed to run an operating deficit of up to $26 million a year. Gibbons, who has been executive director for two years after serving as general manager of hotels in Boston for more than two decades, said that deficit is being steadily reduced. “We are now
approaching zero.” 

“Our financial performance gives comfort to people on the Hill that we know what we’re doing and we’re not out wasting money,” Gibbons said. He addressed a breakfast meeting of MassEcon, which is celebrating its 25thanniversary this year as it works with public and private sectors to assist companies in locating or expanding in Massachusetts.

Asked about the recently announced proposal to help reduce Seaport transportation congestion with a gondola transportation system from South Station to the Boston Marine Industrial Park and eastern neighborhood of the South Boston Waterfront, Gibbons called it “intriguing... an interesting idea.”
Gibbons said the convention center authority has “a huge transportation profile” in managing several private
transportation initiatives from North Station to the Seaport and is also involved in planned water transportation from the North Station area. “They have to go through a public process,” Gibbons said of Millennium Partners, which has Seaport plans for about two million square feet of development and has put forward the gondola concept. “There are some aesthetic issues. We are in need of solutions. The gondola may be one of them.”

Gibbons said the recent annual impact of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority amounts to a total of $775 million in economic activity, 336 events, 665,965 hotel room nights, and 732,587 attendees. The authority spends $115 million a year for operations and has 300 direct employees. It owns three facilities: the BCEC, the Hynes Memorial Convention Center in the Back Bay, and the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

The authority is embarking now on a $2 million study to determine future needs, what they will cost, and how to pay for them. Gibbons said the BCEC has been handicapped by having been scaled back from its original size in exhibition space and parking, as well as having only one large ballroom instead of two.
He said the current order of priorities is to see the Omni hotel, which is being developed with no public subsidy, finished, to add meeting space, and later to expand the BCEC’s 516,000 square feet of exhibition space.

The Hub on Causeway is progressing nicely and getting taller.  Boston Properties recently submitted to the city that they would like to change the height of one of the towers from 420 feet to 495 feet to meet the changing needs of the marketplace.  

This transformative mixed use project will be adding to the already changing neighborhood.  Rising from a lively podium, office, residential and hotel towers will house premium entertainment venues, specialty retailers, high-concept dining and loft-style office space to result in a work/live/play “city within a city.” A steel-and-glass structure reminiscent of the district’s original railways forms the façade of the eight-story gateway, which connects directly to the North Station transportation hub. 

It is also rumored that Verizon's new brand Oath will be an anchor tenant as reported by major news outlets recently.

To view a time lapse on the progress of the project please click here

Bose beginning tenant fit-out of newly leased space at Boston Landing. Consisting of 98,000 square footage on levels 7-8-9 & 10 in the building,  new lighting and lighting control is being completed. Installation of new electric rooms on each level and new general purpose power wiring.  All heating and cooling equipment is already in place.

New-construction AC Hotel Boston Downtown opens at Ink Block in South End

The newly built AC Hotel Boston Downtown, a 205-room boutique hotel located at the South End’s Ink Block development, has opened. Construction is complete, and the hotel's AC Lounge cocktail bar and lounge and AC Kitchen restaurant are now serving food and drinks. AC Hotel Boston Downtown features amenities including a 24-hour fitness center and yoga studio, an indoor pool and meeting/event space, and is located minutes from the Financial District, the Seaport District and Logan Airport. The following is a photograph of AC Hotel Boston Downtown:

AC Hotel by Marriott at Ink Block now open! Great addition to our Ink Block collection. @InkBlockBoston @sienainkblock @nationaldevelop @UndergroundINK_ pic.twitter.com/r9ejjjhh4F

— Ted Tye (@tyeguy44) March 4, 2018

Pre-leasing of Lantera residential tower at Boston Landing to begin this month

Lantera, the new 17-story, 295-unit luxury apartment tower at Boston Landing, will begin pre-leasing of residences in mid-March and is expected to open to residents this May. Formerly known as The Residences at Boston Landing, the tower will feature studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom residences along with 16,500 square feet of ground-floor retail featuring restaurants and specialty shops.

Amenities at Lantera will include the “Loft18” lounge and rooftop terrace, a “Tech bar” work from home space, a Zen garden dubbed “The Grounds”, a fitness studio, an outdoor pool deck, an indoor/outdoor dog park and pet spa and an open gathering space dubbed “The Veranda” with a fireplace lounge, a demonstration kitchen, a bar and a gaming area.

Lantera is located steps from the new Boston Landing commuter rail station and just off of the Massachusetts Turnpike, in the heart of the dynamic new Boston Landing neighborhood minutes from Downtown Boston. 155 above-grade garage parking spaces and bicycle parking will be located on site.

Brookline Place medical office property redevelopment begins next phase

Following completion of a new seven-level, 683‐space parking garage, the redevelopment of the Brookline Place medical office property in Brookline Village is beginning its’ next phase. A temporary surface parking lot, which supplied parking for the existing six-story One Brookline Place medical office building during the garage’s construction, is now being razed to make way for Two Brookline Place, an upcoming eight-story, 182,500 square foot building, as well as a six-story, 47,000 square foot addition to One Brookline Place. The upcoming structures will feature medical office and ambulatory care space, as well as ground-floor retail. The following are photographs of the Brookline Place site:

New lobby and “building within a building” coming to 50 Post Office Square

50 Post Office Square, a historic 18-story, 782,304-square-foot Art Deco tower overlooking the eponymous landmark park, is receiving a new lobby, part of a new “building within a building” featuring amenities desirable to 21st century tenants. The lobby will have the address of 110 High Street, and will be exclusive to tenants of the new 200,000-square-foot “building within a building”, which will be located across 50 Post Office Square’s first six floors. The lobby will feature a high ceiling enclosed by a 35-foot-tall glass curtain wall, as well as an indoor-outdoor LED screen. Atop the lobby will be an outdoor roof deck also exclusive to “building within a building” tenants.

50 Post Office Square is the latest existing Boston office building to receive a “building within a building” across lower floors, a growing strategy to bring new life to older assets. Boston Properties recently introduced a boutique “building within a building” across the first six levels of the 62-story 200 Clarendon Street tower in the Back Bay, formerly known as the John Hancock Tower, with the address of 120 St. James Avenue. Boston Properties’ “building within a building” is designed to appeal to technology tenants with younger workers, many of whom prefer a more direct, visual connection to cities’ streetscapes well served by space closer to ground level.

Installation of the glass curtain wall of the 110 High Street lobby is nearly complete, and fit out of the lobby’s interior and roof deck will soon begin. Completion of the lobby is expected this Summer. The following are photographs of the 110 High Street lobby:

20 CityPoint offices in Waltham start construction with signing of new anchor tenant

Engineering firm Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) has leased 110,000 square feet at the upcoming 200,000-square-foot 20 CityPoint Class A office building in Waltham, and construction of the building has commenced. SGH expects to open its’ new, build-to-suit office in Summer 2019. Initial site work is now underway on the 20 CityPoint site in order to prepare for construction of the building's foundation.

20 CityPoint is the second phase of Boston Properties’ 10 + 20 CityPoint development. The first phase, the 245,000-square-foot 10 CityPoint office building, opened in Summer 2016 and is anchored by Wolverine Worldwide. 10 + 20 CityPoint is located just off of Interstate 95/128, a short drive from Boston and Cambridge.

Finishing touches underway at AC Hotel Boston Downtown, opening early 2018

Finishing touches are underway at AC Hotel Boston Downtown, a new 205-room boutique hotel opening in the first quarter of 2018 located adjacent to the South End’s Ink Block development. Black exterior finishes, windows and signage have been fully installed along the hotel’s facade. Inside AC Hotel Boston Downtown, the construction team is putting finishing touches on the hotel’s rooms and common spaces. When completed, AC Hotel Boston Downtown will feature amenities including a 24-hour fitness center and yoga studio, an indoor pool, the AC Lounge cocktail bar and lounge, the AC Kitchen restaurant offering European-inspired breakfast and meeting/event space. The following is a photograph of AC Hotel Boston Downtown:

MassMutual to construct office building on Fan Pier in Seaport District

Above: A rendering of Fan Pier at full build out.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has announced it will invest approximately $240 million in a new Boston campus on Fan Pier in the Seaport District, which will be over 300,000 square feet in size. MassMutual will construct the campus on an undeveloped parcel it owns, which is located at 10 Fan Pier Boulevard between the One Marina Park Drive office building and 50 Liberty luxury condominium building, and is expected to open in 2021. The campus will be comprised of a single multistory office building that will house approximately 1,000 employees. "We are thrilled to have MassMutual expand its presence and build a new campus on Fan Pier," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh in a prepared statement. "MassMutual's decision to grow in Boston will give the company greater access to the growing technology and financial services industries in our city and enhance its ability to attract the best available talent. I am delighted another major employer has decided the City of Boston can contribute to its successful future."

MassMutual’s new campus will be located next to Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ two-building, 1.1-million-square-foot Fan Pier campus, and will be part of the last phase of Fan Pier’s development along with a new residential building next to the 100 Northern Avenue office tower anchored by Goodwin. Overall, Springfield, MA-based MassMutual expects to increase its’ Massachusetts workforce by approximately 70 percent by the end of 2021, and will invest nearly $300 million in the state including a $50 million investment in facilities improvements at its campus on State Street in Springfield. "Following a thorough strategic assessment of our operations and footprint, we concluded that our home state of Massachusetts is the best place for us to grow and thrive over the long term," said Roger Crandall, MassMutual Chairman, President and CEO, in a prepared statement. "We have deep roots and a supportive community in our hometown of Springfield, and we will continue to invest and grow our workforce in the city. At the same time, as we evolve, a stronger Boston presence immerses us in a booming financial and digital economy and provides us with an enhanced opportunity to recruit innovators from the area's deep and diverse talent pool." In total, MassMutual expects to create 2,000 new jobs in Massachusetts by 2021, and will receive about $46 million in state incentives contingent upon meeting this job creation goal.

New Northeastern University student housing tower, one of Roxbury’s tallest buildings, tops off

Northeastern University’s new 21-story student housing tower, located at 10 Burke Street in Roxbury steps from Ruggles Station, has topped off, becoming one of Roxbury’s tallest buildings. The $160 million tower will contain 221 student housing units for Northeastern students, and is Boston’s first ever dormitory financed by a private developer; Northeastern has partnered with American Campus Communities to build the tower. With the final beam now in place, installation of exterior finishes will begin along the tower’s facade. The tower will include resident amenities such as recreation and gaming areas and a fitness center, in addition to approximately 3,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Construction of the tower began last Summer, and is expected to last approximately two more years. The following is a video of the tower’s topping-off:

The final beam is up at the site of our Columbus Ave student apartments. pic.twitter.com/Hqz3YHiUxr

— Northeastern U. (@Northeastern) February 7, 2018

Finishing touches underway at South End’s Siena at Ink Block new-construction luxury condominiums

The stunning facade of the South End’s eight-story, 76-unit Siena at Ink Block new-construction condominium building, featuring black and white exterior finish panels meshed with floor-to-ceiling glass, has been just about fully installed. Luxurious interior finishes are now being installed inside the building, including quartz countertops, stainless steel Bosch appliances, hardwood flooring, bathroom tiling and wool carpets in bedrooms, ahead of Siena at Ink Block’s anticipated opening early this year.

Finishing touches are also being put upon Siena at Ink Block’s amenity spaces, including a fully equipped fitness center and an indoor-outdoor rooftop sky lounge with sweeping views. Siena at Ink Block is located in the burgeoning Upper South End, steps from conveniences including a Whole Foods Market and multiple retail options, restaurants and bars. The following is a photograph of Siena at Ink Block:

Tatte Bakery & Café to open at Pier 4 in Seaport District

Local bakery and cafe Tatte will open its’ next location at the $500 million Pier 4 waterfront mixed-use development in the Seaport District. Tatte’s new location will be located on the ground floor of Pier 4’s 13-story office building, which will include tenants such as Boston Consulting Group and Cengage, and will be over 3,600 square feet in size. Tatte recently opened its’ seventh location on the ground floor of The Harlo, a newly opened 17-story luxury apartment tower in the Fenway, and its’ eighth location on the ground floor of the 399 Boylston Street office building in the Back Bay.

“Pier 4’s unbeatable location was a natural fit for us, and we look forward to opening our Seaport location in what will be a slice of green heaven on the water in the Seaport,” said Tatte founder Tzurit Or in a prepared statement. “I’ve watched the Seaport and Fort Point neighborhoods evolve into one of Boston’s most visited culinary destinations, and the Tatte team is thrilled to share a home base with some of the area’s top chefs.” Pier 4 will also be home to the Seaport District’s first farm-to-table restaurant, which is expected to open in 2019 and will be located on the ground floor of Pier 4’s nine-story waterfront condominium building. The restaurant will be operated by Kristin Canty, owner of organic, farm-to-table Concord, MA restaurant Woods Hill Table.

Pier 4 will feature a total of 37,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, along with 353,000 square feet of office space, 106 luxury condominium residences, a new public Harborwalk and a one-acre waterfront park. The development is expected to open later this year. The Pier 4 office tower is fully glassed in, and installation of interior utilities and finishes is underway. The concrete superstructure of the condominium building has topped off, and the construction team has begun weatherproofing the exterior facade. The following is a photograph of Pier 4:

Garden Garage to make way for 44-story apartment tower starting construction this Summer

The Garden Garage, located next to TD Garden in Bulfinch Triangle, is set to be demolished this summer to make way for a skyline-altering 44-story, 447-foot-tall apartment tower years in the making. Developed by Equity Residential, the $410 million tower will be among the tallest buildings in Boston, and will replace the 650-space concrete parking garage with 469 apartment residences, along with 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail and 830 underground parking spaces. Equity expects to start construction of the tower’s foundation later this year, following demolition of the garage. Construction of the tower will take approximately three years, with the building expected to open in late 2021.

The Hub on Causeway Phase I officially tops off

The $950 million, 1.87-million-square-foot Hub on Causeway mixed-use development, which is transforming the long-vacant former site of the storied Boston Garden arena into a 21st century mixed-use development, celebrated a major milestone yesterday with the topping off of its’ Phase One podium. A 39-foot steel beam, the final piece of the podium, was signed by project team and community members and placed at the top of the future entrance to The Hub on Causeway. Standing 100 feet in the air, the beam will be located at the top of the podium’s future 15-screen ArcLight Cinemas movie theater, set to open in late 2019 along with a 60,000-square-foot Star Market, which will become Boston’s largest grocery store, a 31,680-square-foot entertainment venue by Big Night Entertainment Group and Live Nation New England and cybersecurity and IT operations analytics solution provider Rapid7’s new 147,000-square-foot headquarters.

Phase One of The Hub on Causeway will feature a total of 175,000 square feet of office space and 210,000 square feet of multi-level retail/restaurant space, along with a new glass-topped atrium entry for TD Garden and a new entrance and underground connector tunnel for North Station that are due to open in October 2018. Over 11,000 tons of steel have been erected in order to construct the Phase One podium. “Thanks to the hard work of so many people, The Hub on Causeway will soon be the new gateway to Boston, forever changing the landscape of this neighborhood for the better,” said Charlie Jacobs, CEO of Delaware North’s Boston Holdings, in a prepared statement. The Hub on Causeway is now visible from Interstate 93 approaching Boston from the north.

“The topping off of the steel podium of The Hub on Causeway represents the next milestone in creating an exciting destination at the northern gateway to the City of Boston,” said Bryan Koop, Boston Properties’ Boston Region Executive Vice President, in a prepared statement. “The Hub will bring Bostonians, visitors, commuters, and fans together to share an experience that will include unmatched entertainment options, great food, and modern conveniences, creating a dynamic heart of the neighborhood.” Upon the project’s completion, three towers will be constructed atop The Hub on Causeway including a 38-story residential tower with approximately 440 units, a 10-story citizenM hotel tower with approximately 260 rooms and a 21-story office tower totaling approximately 525,000 square feet. The following are photographs of the topped-off podium:

150 Seaport waterfront condominium tower breaking ground this Spring

The 22-story 150 Seaport waterfront condominium tower in the Seaport District is expected to break ground this Spring, following a deal to create more on-site public space. Environmental advocacy group Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) had previously sued developer Cronin Holdings on the grounds of limiting public access to the waterfront with the approved tower.

In exchange for CLF dropping the lawsuit, allowing construction of the tower to move forward, Cronin will provide $13.1 million towards a new waterfront park and $5.4 million towards waterfront programming for children. Cronin will also build a public dock on the 150 Seaport site and increase the portion to the project footprint dedicated to public use by 60%.

The $260 million 150 Seaport will contain 124 luxurious condominium residences with sweeping views, as well as 10,700 square feet of ground and second level retail/restaurant space and three levels of underground parking. The tower will replace the existing Atlantic Beer Garden and Whiskey Priest bars.

Callahan completes Meriel Marina Bay luxury apartments on Quincy waterfront

Callahan Construction Managers has completed Meriel Marina Bay, a 352-unit luxury apartment community located on the Quincy waterfront overlooking Boston Harbor. Meriel Marina Bay, developed by Hines, features studio to three-bedroom apartments available for immediate lease, and also includes a new extension of the Marina Bay public waterfront with 20,000 square feet of retail space.

Residences at Meriel Marina Bay feature open layouts and luxurious finishes such as oversized windows, wide plank flooring and kitchens with stainless-steel appliances, center islands with breakfast bars, quartz countertops and European-style soft-close cabinets. Many apartments are equipped with oversized balconies or private patios. Resident amenities at Meriel Marina Bay include four elevated courtyards featuring fire pits, barbeque grills, wet bars and deck swings, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a club room with lounge seating, a catering kitchen and a fitness center.

Sweeping views of Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline are visible throughout Meriel Marina Bay. Both of the developments’ buildings structural frames include five stories of wood above a base two-level steel podium that contains a total of 500 garage parking spaces, in addition to indoor storage for bikes, paddle boards and kayaks. Meriel Marina Bay is conveniently located near Downtown Boston and Interstate 93. The community is also adjacent to Squantum Point Park, which features a two-mile Riverwalk trail and beaches. The following is a photograph of Meriel Marina Bay:

Meriel Marina Bay Aerial

Boston Landing’s Auerbach Center, future home of Boston Celtics practice facility and Mass Innovation Labs, nearing completion

The facade of Boston Landing’s Auerbach Center, future official practice facility of the Boston Celtics and home of a new biotech incubator for Mass Innovation Labs, is nearly complete, with just about all exterior finish and glass curtain wall panels installed, including the practice facility’s signature 40-foot glass wall overlooking the Massachusetts Turnpike. Finishing of the building’s interior areas is now underway in order to prepare for the anticipated mid-2018 opening of both the 71,000-square-foot state-of-the-art basketball practice facility and the two-level, 84,000-square-foot biotech incubator. The six-story, 160,000-square-foot Auerbach Center will also feature 5,700 square feet of retail on its’ ground floor. The following are photographs of The Auerbach Center:

Finishing touches underway at The Residences at Boston Landing, luxury apartments opening this Summer in Brighton

The 17-story facade of The Residences at Boston Landing, a 295-unit luxury apartment community opening this Summer at the 15.2-acre Boston Landing mixed-use development in Brighton, has been completed, with all windows and exterior finish panels installed. Inside the building, luxurious finishes are being installed within residences, common areas and amenity spaces, which will include a fitness center, multiple roof decks, an active lounge with a pool table and a 20,000-square-foot landscaped patio with a swimming pool and cabanas. On The Residences at Boston Landing’s ground floor, glass has been installed along the facade of the building’s 16,400 square feet of retail space. Residences at the building will include studios, one-, two- and three-bedrooms, which will be located across from the new Boston Landing MBTA commuter rail station with direct service to Downtown Boston. The following are photographs of The Residences at Boston Landing:

Cengage to relocate headquarters to nearly fully leased Pier 4 office building in Seaport District

Global education and technology company Cengage will relocate its’ headquarters to 117,000 square feet at Pier 4, a mixed-use Seaport District development overlooking Boston Harbor opening this Fall. Cengage’s office will be located across the second through sixth floors of Pier 4’s 13-story, 373,000-square-foot office building, with a private outdoor terrace on the fourth floor.

Cengage, who is currently located in Fort Point’s Channel Center, has leased its’ new space for 10 years and will move its’ 500 Boston-based employees to Pier 4 this Fall. The company is the United States’ largest provider of higher education teaching and learning materials, and is currently seeking to hire nearly 100 people to sustain its’ rapid transformation from a print company to a fully digital company. “Cengage has experienced significant growth since moving our headquarters to Boston in 2014,” said Cengage Chief Technology Officer George Moore in a prepared statement. “The region’s pool of the best and brightest tech talent has enabled our company to embrace new innovations that support students. The amenities, dynamic nature of the [Seaport] neighborhood and unobstructed views of the Boston Harbor will fuel our momentum, while inspiring current and future employees to think big, embrace the unknown and accelerate new ways of learning.”

With Cengage’s lease, the Pier 4 office building is nearly fully leased. The building will be anchored by Boston Consulting Group, who will open a new 202,000-square-foot headquarters across the top seven floors. In total, the building features 353,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of retail. Amenities will include a state-of-the art fitness center, bicycle storage and three levels of parking, with a new public Harborwalk and one-acre waterfront park. The $500 million Pier 4 will also feature a nine-story condominium building with 106 residences now on sale and 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.

New Emmanuel College residential tower in Fenway tops off, exterior finishing underway

Emmanuel College’s New Julie Hall on-campus residential tower, located in the heart of the Fenway neighborhood, has topped off at 19 stories tall, and finishing of the building’s exterior facade is underway. The facade has been fully sheathed and fireproofed, and nearly all windows have been installed. Brick exterior finishes have been installed along the tower’s base, and will be installed along upper floors in the coming weeks. Within sealed floors of the tower, framing of individual units and amenities spaces is underway, in addition to installation of finishes.

New Julie Hall is expected to open in Fall 2018 and will feature nearly 700 beds for Emmanuel College students. With the new building, the school will be able to house 84% of its’ student body on campus, up from 73% previously, allowing 11% more students to live on campus. Amenities at the building will include lounges and top-floor function space overlooking the Emerald Necklace and Boston skyline. The following are photographs of Emmanuel College’s New Julie Hall:

Roche Brothers supermarket coming to $1.2 billion MIT Kendall Square Initiative development

Leading local grocer Roche Brothers will open a 19,000-square-foot Brothers Marketplace grocery store at One Broadway in Kendall Square, part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)'s multi-phased $1.2 billion Kendall Square Initiative mixed-use development. The grocery store is expected to open in summer 2019 and will share One Broadway's repositioned ground floor with a restaurant and a new home for Dunkin Donuts. One Broadway's repositioning is part of the 1.8-million-square-foot MIT Kendall Square Initiative development, which will construct six new buildings in Kendall Square including approximately 888,000 square feet of office space, 115,000 square feet of retail, 450 graduate student housing units, 290 housing units and over 1.8 acres of open space.

A grocery store has reportedly been the most requested retail use for the development by neighborhood residents, local employees, and students. “The community’s desire for a grocery store was raised in every conversation that we had with stakeholders during our zoning process,” says Steve Marsh, Managing Director of MIT’s Real Estate Group, in a prepared statement. “It is so important to those who live and work in Kendall that we worked to incorporate it in the earliest possible phase of our development. Going forward, we believe that the market will also serve as an anchor for other retail that contributes to a vibrant neighborhood and greater sense of place in the square.”

Mass Innovation Labs leases space at Boston Landing’s Auerbach Center

Leading biopharmaceutical industry accelerated commercialization program Mass Innovation Labs has announced it will lease 84,000 square feet at The Auerbach Center, a 160,000-square-foot mixed-use building coming to the 15-acre Boston Landing development in Brighton. Mass Innovation Labs will open its’ new two-level space, which will be aimed at accommodating cutting-edge biotech and technology companies looking for tailored space and operating programs, in June 2018. The company opened its’ first biotech incubator at 675 West Kendall Street in Kendall Square and recently leased 52,000 additional square feet at 21 Erie Street in Cambridge, which will open in May 2018, for a second biotech-geared space

The Boston Landing space marks Mass Innovation Labs’ first foray into helping grow technology and engineering companies. “We are thrilled to extend our expertise to the technology industry, and the Boston Landing location is an ideal synergy of companies that create breakthrough products, services and technologies,” said Amrit Chaudhuri, CEO and co-founder of Mass Innovation Labs, in a prepared statement. “Through our Cambridge location, we have demonstrated that we know how to provide the right support for businesses to help them achieve success quickly. We’re excited to bring our proven model to the Boston Landing ecosystem to support technology companies as they design and develop tomorrow’s new solutions.”

Mass Innovation Labs follows recent leases at Boston Landing including life science companies Proteostasis Therapeutics and Roche Diagnostics Operations, who have taken approximately 29,000 square feet each at nearby 80 Guest Street, and Bose Corporation, who has leased 98,000 square feet at 80 Guest Street. Both 80 Guest Street and The Auerbach Center were built on spec and are now nearly 100%-leased. “We are excited to be welcoming Mass Innovation Labs to the Boston Landing campus,” said Jim Halliday, Managing Director for Boston Landing developer New Balance Development Group, in a prepared statement. “The addition of Mass Innovation Labs to provide an environment for technology companies to thrive in order to perform research and develop their technology advancements is at the heart of the innovational and entrepreneurial spirit of Boston Landing, its project sponsor, New Balance, and the other likeminded tenants calling Boston Landing home.”

The Auerbach Center will feature 85,000 square feet of Class A office and laboratory space, in addition to the Boston Celtics’ new 71,000 square foot basketball practice facility and 5,700 square feet of retail. Upon completion, the Boston Landing will feature three office and laboratory buildings, 80,000 square feet of retail, a 175-key hotel, a 295-unit residential apartment building, Warrior Ice Arena, The Auerbach Center, a track and field sports center, a commuter rail station and 1.4 acres of landscaped open space.

Boston University opens newly built Joan and Edgar Booth Theatre

Boston University (BU) has opened its’ newly built 75,000-square-foot Joan and Edgar Booth Theatre along Commonwealth Avenue in Brookline. The state-of-the-art, LEED Silver-sustainable complex features a 250-seat black-box theatre, production and costume shops, design labs, classrooms, faculty offices and a public landscaped plaza facing Commonwealth Avenue.

The new theatre has placed BU’s College of Fine Arts (CFA) performance and production students in the same location for the first time in decades, moving the university’s theatre from its’ longtime home on Huntington Avenue that it shared with the Huntington Theatre Company. BU sold the Huntington Avenue property, located at 252-264 Huntington Avenue, to QMG Huntington LLC in May 2016 for $25 million; QMG now proposes to construct a 32-story tower dubbed The Huntington on the site featuring 426 apartment residences, 7,500 square feet of retail and restaurant space and a preserved 890-seat, 35,654-square-foot theatre that would be gifted to the Huntington Theatre Company.

BU’s new theatre, located at 820 Commonwealth Avenue next to the CFA, has been constructed as part of a $50 million investment in CFA improvements which will also include a makeover of the CFA’s building at 855 Commonwealth Avenue, across from the theatre. The following is a photograph of BU's new theatre:

We are pleased to be attending the housewarming of the new #elkusmanfrediproject Joan & Edgar Booth #BUTheatre and #myCFA production center at Boston University! #BoothReflections pic.twitter.com/nuyUAc4WzB

— Elkus Manfredi Arch. (@ElkusManfredi) December 7, 2017

Hotel opens at The District Burlington, new mixed-use neighborhood north of Boston

A 170-room Marriott Residence Inn hotel has opened at The District Burlington, a new mixed-use neighborhood located in Burlington, MA created from a 1970s office park. Suites at the hotel include one- and two-bedrooms and feature free Wi-Fi and flat-screens, kitchens and living areas. On-site amenities include parking, an indoor pool, a hot tub and a gym. A casual steakhouse will open at the hotel in 2018, complementing The District's culinary options which include Island Creek Oyster Bar, Pressed Cafe, Tavern in the Square and Tuscan Kitchen.

The District Burlington's office component is over 85% leased by over 40 tenants, including BAE Systems, Black Duck Software, Charles River Development and Decision Resources. A total of 30,000 square feet of retail are now located at the development, and The District Burlington's streetscape has been enhanced with new sidewalks and bicycle sharing in order to improve walkability and connectivity. The development is located just 15 miles from Boston, minutes from Interstate 95/128.

150 Seaport waterfront condominium developer paying nearly $2 million for sliver of Seaport sidewalk

Cronin Holdings has reached an agreement with the City of Boston to buy 3,290 square feet of Seaport District sidewalk adjacent to 150 Seaport Boulevard, a site which Cronin will develop into a $260 million, 22-story, 124-unit luxury condominium tower, for $1.95 million. The sale will amount to about $593 per square foot, a far cry from the land’s original appraisal of $55,000. The site was ultimately reappraised based upon its’ value to Cronin’s project, as opposed to comparisons to similar unusable lots across Boston. The 3,290-square-foot site will give Cronin the space needed to construct the 283,700-square-foot tower; Cronin will pay the City for the site over 10 years with interest. Pending State environmental approvals and resolution of a lawsuit filed by the Conservation Law Foundation regarding public access to the waterfront, Cronin plans to break ground on 150 Seaport in Fall 2018.

Boston’s first co-living tower proposed at Ink Block in South End

National Development has partnered with Ollie, a leading co-living and micro-housing specialist, to construct 7INK by Ollie, Boston’s first major co-living development, at Ink Block in the South End. The 14-story 7INK by Ollie would be located at the corner of Herald and Albany Streets and contain 245 shared suites and micro-studios emphasizing communal living. The proponents have filed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) formally proposing the project, which would be the six-acre Ink Block development’s seventh and final building.

Ink Block currently consists of apartments, condominiums, a hotel, one of the country’s highest volume Whole Foods Markets, acclaimed restaurants, retailers and fitness studios. “7INK by Ollie and the co-living program is the logical evolution of our innovative Ink Block brand,” said Ted Tye, Managing Partner of National Development, in a prepared statement. “The built-in infrastructure of Whole Foods Market, our restaurant and fitness retailers, the soon to open AC Hotel by Marriott, and our new Underground at Ink Block art park make this a perfect location for co-living.” National Development and Ollie anticipate starting construction of 7INK by Ollie in late 2018, pending city approval.

Rapid7 to anchor Hub on Causeway Phase I

Leading cybersecurity and IT operations analytics solution provider Rapid7 has announced it will relocate its global headquarters from 100 Summer Street in the Financial District to the first phase of the 1.87-million-square-foot Hub on Causeway mixed-use development in Bulfinch Triangle. Rapid7 will occupy 147,000 square feet at The Hub on Causeway, also relocating its’ Cambridge team at 1 Main Street. Rapid7 expects to move to The Hub on Causeway in the second half of 2019, following the first phase’s completion in late 2018. Rapid7 will be the first phase’s anchor tenant; a total of 175,000 square feet of creative office space will be built as part of the first phase, in addition to 210,000 square feet of multi-level retail/restaurant space and 64,000 square feet of TD Garden expansion space. Future phases of The Hub on Causeway call for a 38-story residential tower with approximately 440 units, a 10-story citizenM hotel tower with approximately 260 rooms and a 21-story office tower totaling approximately 525,000 square feet.

Rapid7 is the latest addition to the Bulfinch Triangle neighborhood’s growing technology presence. “We believe that The Hub will allow us to capitalize on the momentum we’ve built as a leading global technology company and expect to see increased productivity through the joining of our Boston-area offices,” said Corey Thomas, president and CEO of Rapid7, in a prepared statement. “We believe The Hub will offer us the room we need to grow and help spur a new innovation center in Boston amid the escalating costs of the Seaport and Cambridge. For us, the decision to move our headquarters is about creating a phenomenal work experience for our Boston-area employees while continuing to invest in the Boston community and the exceptional talent pool it develops.” Rapid7 employs over 1,000 people globally, with nearly 500 Boston-area employees.

Downtown Crossing site approved for condominium building sold to Emerson College for $24 million

Panoramic Properties, proponent of the approved 13-story, 12-unit 171 Tremont Street luxury condominium building in Downtown Crossing, has sold the property to Emerson College for $24 million. Emerson plans to renovate the vacant five-story, 17,752-square-foot office building which stands on the property over the next nine to 12 months. 171 Tremont Street’s final purpose will be determined at a later date; in the short term, Emerson plans to use the building as office space. “It gives us some flexibility with some of our existing programs to take advantage of the space with some modest renovations,” said Emerson Senior Assistant Vice President of Real Estate Art Mombourquette in an interview with Banker & Tradesman. “The building is in fairly good condition, so we don’t see an extensive scope of work there.” 171 Tremont Street is strategically located in the heart of Downtown Crossing overlooking Boston Common, and will allow Emerson to create further ties between the Boylston and Washington Street parts of its’ campus.

Panoramic Properties’ original development plans for 171 Tremont Street called for a 355-foot condominium tower with 31 condominiums. Facing neighborhood opposition, the approved building was ultimately reduced to 155 feet tall with 12 condominiums. Panoramic Properties acquired 171 Tremont Street for $16.4 million in June 2014. “We are happy to see a wonderful and vibrant institution like Emerson take control of this site, and we remain committed to staying active in the Boston Market,” said Joseph Dabbah of Panoramic Properties in a prepared statement. Newmark Knight Frank’s Tom Greeley represented Panoramic Properties in the $24 million sale of 171 Tremont Street to Emerson.

Bose leases space at Boston Landing’s 80 Guest Street spec office building

Audio equipment leader Bose Corporation has leased 98,000 square feet at the 80 Guest Street spec office building at the Boston Landing development in Brighton, bringing the building to nearly 100%-leased. Bose, headquartered in Framingham, MA, will open its’ Boston office in Summer 2018. “We are excited to welcome Bose, a global company that is headquartered locally and recognized for their technology and innovation, to Boston Landing,” said Jim Halliday, Managing Director at Boston Landing developer NB Development Group, in a prepared statement. “The Bose transaction brings our 80 Guest Street property to near 100% leased and puts its imprint on the transformative nature and innovative spirit that is Boston Landing as the western gateway into Boston.” McCall & Almy represented Bose in the transaction, with Transwestern representing NB Development Group.

Bose’s lease follows life science companies Proteostasis Therapeutics and Roche Diagnostics Operations’ leases of approximately 29,000 square feet each at 80 Guest Street in September 2017. Both companies will take occupancy of their spaces during the first half of 2018. 80 Guest Street is a 10-story, 486,000-square-foot building featuring 230,000 square feet of office and laboratory space space, 12,000 square feet of retail, three levels of parking and the 55,000-square-foot Warrior Ice Arena, home of the official practice facility of the Boston Bruins. Upon completion, the 15.2-acre Boston Landing development will feature three office and laboratory buildings, 80,000 square feet of retail, a 175-key hotel, a 295-unit residential apartment building, Warrior Ice Arena, The Auerbach Center (future basketball practice facility of The Boston Celtics), a track and field sports center, a commuter rail station and 1.4 acres of landscaped open space.

Farm-to-table waterfront restaurant opening at Pier 4 condominium building in Seaport District, new project renderings revealed

The Seaport District’s first farm-to-table restaurant will open on the ground floor of the upcoming Pier 4 waterfront condominium building. The restaurant will be operated by Kristin Canty, owner of organic, farm-to-table Concord, MA restaurant Woods Hill Table, and will have 140 seats, including a raw bar, along with a 40-seat patio. Like Woods Hill Table, food will be sourced directly from The Farm at Woods Hill, Canty’s Bath, New Hampshire-based farm. Canty hopes to decorate the restaurant, which has yet to be named, with items sourced from the former Anthony’s Pier 4 restaurant, which closed in 2015 and was demolished in 2016 to make way for the condominium building.

The $500 million Pier 4 development, which is expected to open in Fall 2018, will feature two buildings with sweeping views of the Boston skyline and Boston Harbor. The nine-story condominium building will feature 106 residences now on sale and 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. A 13-story commercial building will feature 353,000 square feet of office space, anchored by Boston Consulting Group’s new 202,000-square-foot headquarters across the top 7 floors, and 20,000 square feet of retail. Newly revealed renderings of Pier 4, including the condominium building's residences and multiple roof decks, are posted above.

The Pier 4 condominium building’s concrete superstructure is nearing its’ full height, with pouring of the final floor underway. In the coming months, exterior finishes and windows will be installed along the condominium building’s facade. The commercial building is fully glassed in with floor-to-ceiling windows, and interior fit out is now underway. The following is a photograph of Pier 4:

No filter needed when you are surrounded by water on three sides on a gorgeous sunny day like today. . . . #Pier4 #PierLife #WaterfrontViews #Construction #LuxuryLiving #WaterfrontLiving #BostonHarbor #LuxuryCondos #BostonRE #NoFilter

A post shared by Pier 4 Boston (@pier4boston) on Nov 3, 2017 at 12:07pm PDT

Suffolk Construction cuts ribbon on Roxbury headquarters expansion

Suffolk Construction cut the ribbon last week on a $22 million, 38,000-square-foot addition to its’ Roxbury headquarters, the first phase of an expansion that will invest $60 million in the neighborhood. The addition’s ribbon cutting ceremony, held Wednesday, October 25th, was conducted using interactive, digital technology, featuring digital scissors that cut a red ribbon projected across three widescreen televisions, in lieu of a traditional physical ribbon. At the addition’s groundbreaking last September, Suffolk Construction used virtual reality headsets in lieu of shovels and dirt.

Suffolk Construction’s new addition features an auditorium, collaborative workspace, a new cafeteria, a salon, a massage room, a fitness and wellness center, new conference rooms, a ground-floor outdoor patio and a second-floor outdoor terrace. The addition also features a new Smart Lab, which will be used to identify, test and scale transformative new construction technologies. The next phase of Suffolk Construction’s expansion will be a full renovation of the interior of its’ existing offices, located adjacent to the addition. Suffolk Construction is currently building future Boston landmarks such as the $2.4 billion, 3-million-square-foot Wynn Boston Harbor casino and 61-story, 740-foot-tall One Dalton, New England’s future tallest residential building. The following is a video of the addition’s ribbon cutting ceremony:

500-foot tower now possible in Kendall Square with Cambridge approval of MIT Volpe Center site zoning petition

The City of Cambridge has approved the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s zoning petition for the 14-acre Volpe Center parcel in Kendall Square, enabling MIT to construct buildings up to 500 feet tall. Preliminary plans call for at least one 500-foot-tall residential tower at the Volpe Center, which would be the tallest building in Cambridge and among the tallest buildings in New England. The 500-foot tower would dwarf MIT’s 295-foot-tall Green Building, Cambridge’s current tallest building.

With Cambridge’s approval of the Volpe Center parcel's up-zoning, the next step in MIT’s development of the site is a Planned Unit Development (PUD) filing with the City, which will further define the buildings, uses and spaces of the future development. MIT’s preliminary plans call for approximately 1.7 million square feet of commercial development, including retail and active street uses, and approximately 1,400 housing units across 10 acres of the parcel. Four acres of the parcel will be used to construct a new home for the Volpe Center per MIT’s agreement with the United States General Services Administration (GSA), the parcel’s current owner. “It’s the mix of commercial, residential, open space, retail, innovation space, active street use, and community space that will allow the Volpe site to ultimately become what we imagine,” said Israel Ruiz, MIT’s executive vice president and treasurer, in a prepared statement. “We’ve spent a lot of time looking at vital innovation centers around the world and know that each of these ingredients must be in place in order to create a highly functioning, nimble, and synergistic community.”

The Volpe Center’s mix of uses will complement Kendall Square’s ever-growing innovation economy. “The Kendall Square innovation ecosystem has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to reinvent itself and evolve over time,” said MIT President L. Rafael Reif in a prepared statement. “In that long evolution, the federal government’s decision to keep the Volpe Transportation Systems Center here with a reinvigorated presence, together with MIT’s plans to redevelop the remaining parcel, point the way to a compelling future. In guiding the redevelopment, our goal is to make the region’s innovation ecosystem even stronger, creating a dynamic and welcoming place to live and work, which will attract the industries of tomorrow and fuel academic and commercial research collaborations — all of which will help Kendall Square thrive over time by sustaining its creative evolution.”

As part of the zoning approval, MIT has committed to construct 950 new graduate student housing units, which will allow the Institute to house more than 50 percent of its current graduate student population on campus. MIT broke ground this week on a new 450-unit graduate student housing building in Kendall Square, part of its’ overall Kendall Square Initiative development, and is currently formulating plans to construct a second 500-unit building in the coming years and construct 200 additional units within existing campus buildings; MIT intends to apply for permits for both projects no later than the end of 2020. Upon completion, MIT’s Volpe Center development will generate approximately $23 million in taxes annually for the City of Cambridge on a currently tax-exempt parcel.

Boston’s newest luxury nightclubs open at The Benjamin in Seaport District

The Grand and Scorpion Bar, two exciting new nightclubs spearheaded by local nightlife venue proponent Big Night Entertainment Group, have opened on the ground floor of The Benjamin new-construction apartments in the Seaport District, the latest development in the Seaport’s transformation into Boston’s hottest nightlife destination. The Grand opened Wednesday night with a sold-out show headlined by EDM artist Hardwell, and will host two more opening shows Friday and Sunday nights featuring R3HAB and Steve Aoki, respectively. Scorpion Bar will host its’ opening party tonight, featuring former Kiss 108 radio personality DJ Costa.

The Grand meshes glamour, sophistication and high energy, featuring an expansive dance floor, an open glass staircase, custom marble tables, hand-blown glass chandeliers and a 70-foot LED wall. The club will provide a full VIP experience, with stadium VIP bottle seating and VIP bars. The Grand will operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 10 PM to 2 AM, and will be available for events all week long. Scorpion Bar will be a unique blend of a traditional Mexican tequila cantina and a rock bar, with a Mexican-inspired food and cocktail menu including over 100 tequilas and scorpion dancing. The venue will be open daily from 12 PM to 10 PM, with the bar open Sunday to Wednesday from 12 PM to 12 AM and Thursday to Saturday from 12 PM to 2 AM.

Big Night Entertainment Group, proponent of The Grand and Scorpion Bar, also owns and operates nightlife venue Empire Restaurant & Lounge across from The Benjamin on the ground floor of One Marina Park Drive, and will open a new venue in the first phase of The Hub on Causeway in Bulfinch Triangle, which is on schedule for completion in late 2018. The Grand and Scorpion Bar help fill the void left in Boston’s club scene by the closing of Big Night Entertainment Group’s The Estate, a mega-nightclub located in the Theater District, in 2015. Other retail now open at The Benjamin and its’ sister building VIA’s 250,000 square feet of retail includes fitness center Equinox, Seaport Barbers and men’s clothing store Bonobos. A third nightlife venue, Kings Dining & Entertainment, will open on the ground floor of VIA this coming Monday, October 30th. The two buildings feature a total of 832 luxury apartment residences. The following is a rendering of The Grand and Scorpion Bar at The Benjamin:

$140 million permanent financing secured for Aloft and Element Hotels in Seaport District

The 330-room Aloft Hotel and 180-room Element Hotel in the Seaport District, which opened in Winter 2016 and are located across from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) in Boston’s Seaport District, have received a total of $140 million in permanent financing. The loan was secured for the borrower, a partnership of Ares Management and CV Properties LLC, by HFF through Starwood Property Trust. The hotels cost a total of $158 million to develop; HFF also arranged the hotels’ $97 million construction loan through RBS Citizens and Santander Bank N.A.

The Aloft and Element Hotels are located in the heart of Boston’s rapidly developing Seaport District, making them attractive towards business and leisure travelers, and are also home to local entertainment options such as The Social Register and W XYZ Bar. “The hotels opened for business in early 2016 and have enjoyed a strong reception due in part to the phenomenal growth of the Seaport area, the quality of the development and the strong demand generated from the BCEC,” said HFF Managing Director Anthony Cutone in a prepared statement. Each hotel features amenities including a pool, a fitness center and function/meeting space.

$205 million financing obtained for The District Burlington

The District Burlington, a former suburban office park recently transformed by National Development, Charles River Realty Investors and AEW Capital Management into a walkable mixed-use neighborhood, has received $205 million in financing secured by HFF. The seven-year fixed-rate permanent loan was obtained though a major life insurance company. “The borrower did a fantastic job repositioning the asset to become a best-in-class mixed-use park with the best amenity package available in the market,” said HFF Managing Director Greg LaBine in a prepared statement. “That led to increased tenant demand and higher rents, which when coupled with top institutional sponsorship within the borrower group, made this a compelling opportunity for the lender.”

The District Burlington is over 85% leased by a very diverse set of over 40 tenants, including BAE Systems, Black Duck Software, Charles River Development and Decision Resources. With amenities such as a new Marriott Residence Inn hotel, an 8,000-square-foot fitness center, an OMMMSpace housing yoga and meditation classes, private shuttle service to the Alewife MBTA Red Line station and a 30,000-square-foot retail cluster featuring Island Creek Oyster Bar, Pressed Cafe, Tavern in the Square, Tuscan Kitchen and Market and TD Bank, The District Burlington provides an ideal blend of a relaxing suburban setting and urban convenience. The development is located just 15 miles from Boston, minutes from Interstate 95/128.

Proposed 1000 Boylston condominium tower height shrinks, apartment tower eliminated

In response to community concerns regarding density, height and various other matters, Weiner Ventures has downsized its’ proposed 1000 Boylston mixed-use development at the intersection of Boylston Street and Massachusetts Avenue in the Back Bay to consist of just one shortened condominium tower, eliminating a previously proposed adjacent apartment tower. The condominium tower’s height has been reduced from 40 stories and 566 feet to 32 stories and 484 feet, and would now contain 108 residences, down from 160.

With the elimination of the 182-unit apartment tower, 284 residential units have been eliminated from 1000 Boylston, and overall project density has been reduced by 36% from 689,000 square feet to 439,500. Proposed retail space within the tower’s five-story podium has been increased from 35,000 square feet to 45,500, and would extend across the podium’s first two stories. Revised 1000 Boylston project plans have been filed with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), who is now reviewing the project. The latest 1000 Boylston renderings are posted above.

80 Guest Street spec office building at Boston Landing lands two life science tenants, reaching 40%-leased

Life science companies Proteostasis Therapeutics and Roche Diagnostics Operations have each leased approximately 29,000 square feet at Boston Landing’s newly built 80 Guest Street speculative office development, which is now 40%-leased. Both companies will take occupancy of their spaces during the first half of 2018. Transwestern represented Proteostatis in its’ lease, and Cushman & Wakefield represented Roche. NB Development Group represented themselves in both leases. Proteostatis is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery of groundbreaking therapies to treat cystic fibrosis and other diseases caused by dysfunctional protein processing. Roche specializes in truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system, and is also a leader in vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and diabetes management.

“We are excited to continue the transformation of Boston Landing with the addition of both Roche Diagnostics and Proteostasis Therapeutics as both are engaged in important and innovative discoveries centered around health & wellness,” said Jim Halliday, Managing Director of NB Development Group, in a prepared statement. “The work and values of both these companies align well with enhancing the innovation and health & wellness spirit already entrenched with the presence of New Balance, the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics, as well as the investment made by John Hancock in the residential project at Boston Landing. With the growth in life-science activity within the Cambridge-Boston market, at Boston Landing we look forward to continuing our inroads in attracting other innovative life-sciences and other R&D tech minded industries to the Boston Landing campus.”

80 Guest Street is a 10-story 486,000-square-foot building featuring 230,000 square feet of office and laboratory space space, 12,000 square feet of retail, three levels of parking and the 55,000-square-foot Warrior Ice Arena, home of the official practice facility of the Boston Bruins. Upon completion, the 15.2-acre Boston Landing development will feature three office and laboratory buildings, 80,000 square feet of retail, a 175-key hotel, a 295-unit residential apartment building, Warrior Ice Arena, The Auerbach Center (future basketball practice facility of The Boston Celtics), a track and field sports center, a commuter rail station and 1.4 acres of landscaped open space.

Treviicos constructs slurry wall foundation of The Benjamin & VIA, newly opened Seaport District landmark development

Locally-based ground improvement expert Treviicos played an instrumental part in the recent completion of The Benjamin & VIA, two exclusive mixed-use towers in Boston's Seaport District featuring 832 modern apartment residences and 250,000 square feet of retail, constructing the building’s below-grade slurry wall foundation. Treviicos constructed a 1,552-foot-long, 86,500-square-foot reinforced concrete slurry wall along The Benjamin & VIA’s perimeter, which serves as the development’s foundation wall. The Benjamin & VIA’s location just steps from Boston Harbor presented significant geotechnical challenges, including persistent groundwater presence and unstable soil conditions, that Treviicos was able to expertly navigate, constructing a strong, 30-foot-thick wall using over 800 tons of steel, 8,800 cubic yards of concrete and 1,000 embedded steel plates connected with beams and girders in order to provide structural support.

The Benjamin & VIA’s slurry wall consists of 72 concrete panels and has an average depth of 55 feet, enclosing three below-grade parking levels containing 775 vehicle spaces that are now open to both building residents and the public. Apartment move-ins at The Benjamin & VIA began this summer, and multiple retailers will open this Fall, starting with an Equinox fitness center due to open October 17th. The latest information about The Benjamin & VIA apartments and retail is posted above. The following are photographs of Treviicos at work at The Benjamin & VIA:

Historic Circle Cinema sign re-installed atop Cleveland Circle mixed-use development

National Development has re-installed the historic Circle Cinema sign, a longtime landmark of Cleveland Circle, atop the new six-story, 92-unit Waterstone luxury adult apartment community at the $85 million, 218,520-square-foot Circle mixed-use development. The sign was unveiled in a special ceremony Wedensday evening attended by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Boston City Councillor Mark Ciommo and National Development Managing Partner Ted Tye. The Circle is expected to open in early 2018, and will also feature a 162-room AC Hotel and approximately 14,000 square feet of retail space across the ground floors of both new buildings. The following are photographs from the Circle sign installation ceremony:

New 100 Binney office building in Kendall Square now fully leased

Ahead of construction completion this Fall, Alexandria Real Estate Equities has fully leased the 431,500-square-foot 100 Binney office building in Kendall Square. In addition to anchor tenant Bristol-Myers Squibb, who has leased 208,000 square feet across floors one to five, and Facebook, who has leased 129,636 square feet across the building's top three floors, venture-backed biotech startups Foghorn Therapeutics, Sigilon Therapeutics, Tango Therapeutics and TCR2 Therapeutics will each lease approximately 22,000 square feet at 100 Binney. Alexandria will now shift its' focus towards pre-leasing its' new 172,500-square-foot 399 Binney Street speculative lab and office building in Kendall Square; with foundation construction now underway, 399 Binney Street is expected to open in late Fall 2018.

Omni Hotel Seaport proponents kick off city review process, Q3 2018 groundbreaking anticipated

The Davis Companies and Omni Hotel Management Corporation, developers of an upcoming 1,054-key luxury hotel located on a 2.1-acre Massport-owned parcel across from the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) in the Seaport District, have filed plans for the project with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), kicking off the hotel’s city review process. Though projects constructed on Massport-owned land are exempt from the City of Boston’s Zoning Code, both Massport and the proponents have agreed that the project will voluntarily undergo city review.

The Omni Hotel will feature amenities including 120,000 square feet of meeting and event space with two large 25,000 square foot and 15,500 square foot ballrooms, 40,000 square feet of retail space, an 8,500 square foot spa and fitness center and a rooftop pool. The hotel could also feature an above-ground skating rink. The Omni Hotel will provide the Seaport District and the BCEC with much-needed hotel rooms; per a report released by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) in 2016, the BCEC has the fewest hotel rooms available within walking distance in comparison to convention centers in major US cities. Meanwhile, in 2016, Boston placed among the cities with the highest hotel rates in the country. Construction of the Omni Hotel is anticipated to commence in the third quarter of 2018, with completion expected in 2021.

Samuels shifts focus of Landmark Center redevelopment to offices from residential, renames project 401 Park

Seeking to capitalize upon the Fenway neighborhood’s emergence as a premier office destination, Samuels & Associates proposes to refocus its’ redevelopment plans for Landmark Center, scrapping plans for an addition containing 550 apartments with a 110,000-square-foot retail podium and instead constructing a 506,000-square-foot building featuring office space and 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Strong demand for office space at the existing Landmark Center, as well as Samuels’ recently completed 237,000-square-foot Van Ness office building, which has attracted technology, data analytics and lab tenants, prompted Samuels to revise the previously approved project plans.

Another factor in the switch to an office focus was Samuels’ decision to preserve Landmark Center’s 1,500-space above-grade parking structure, citing the growing scarcity of parking in the Fenway neighborhood and the high costs of constructing an underground garage. Accordingly, a 110,000-square-foot retail podium that would have been located at the base of the previously approved residential building, which would have replaced the above-grade garage and featured a Wegmans supermarket, has also been eliminated. As part of the currently proposed project, Landmark Center’s existing 978,200-square-foot office and retail component would also be renovated.

Phase One of the Landmark Center redevelopment project, which Samuels has renamed 401 Park, is currently underway with full completion expected in Spring 2019. Phase One will include construction of a new 1.1-acre open space along Park Drive, which is expected to open in mid-2018, as well as creation of new open spaces and public realm improvements throughout the Landmark Center site and a destination food hall featuring local chefs within the existing building.

Pending approval by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), who is now reviewing Samuels’ revised proposal, construction of Phase Two, which would feature the new 506,000-square-foot office building, would commence in 2019 contingent upon leasing activity. “Bringing office and lab space to [401 Park] not only meets a clear demand for such space – as evidenced by the success of Van Ness and the early stage tech and creative economy companies that are growing out of the space at [startup incubator Hatch Fenway, located at Landmark Center] – but it also adds to the vitality of the neighborhood,” said Erik Grabowski, executive director of 401 Park development partner J.P. Morgan Asset Management, in a prepared statement. The latest 401 Park project information, including renderings, is posted above.

Facebook leasing top three floors of new 100 Binney office building in Kendall Square

Facebook has reportedly leased the top three floors of the newly built 10-story 100 Binney office building in Kendall Square, amounting to 129,636 square feet. Facebook will open a new office at 100 Binney in 2018 with capacity for up to 650 employees. The company will hire more than 500 new employees, becoming one of Cambridge’s largest employers. Facebook currently occupies an 18,500-square-foot office at One Broadway in Kendall Square, with capacity for up to 150 employees.

Per a Boston Globe report, Facebook’s new office will focus on providing mobile and data center support to Facebook’s 2 billion users, as well as serve as a hub for machine learning. The office will also focus upon building more efficient networks with telecom companies and partnering with hardware manufacturers for new product development. A new Connectivity Lab striving to provide internet and technology access to the 4 billion people worldwide who lack internet access will also be located at the office.

Facebook will share 100 Binney with global biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb, who has leased approximately 208,000 square feet across floors one through five through at least 2030. A total of 300 employees will work at Bristol-Myers Squibb’s new office. Just floors six and seven remain for lease at 100 Binney, amounting to approximately 80,000 square feet. 100 Binney totals approximately 431,500 rentable square feet and is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year.

Topping off ceremony held for The Auerbach Center, future Boston Celtics practice facility at Boston Landing

A topping off ceremony was held Wednesday (August 23rd) for The Auerbach Center, the 17-time NBA Champion Boston Celtics’ future official practice facility located at Brighton’s 15.2-acre Boston Landing development. The Auerbach Center has reached its’ full height of six stories, and both fireproofing of the building’s frame and pouring of concrete to construct floors are well underway. Opening in mid-2018, The Auerbach Center will contain a total of approximately 160,000 square feet of space, including the Boston Celtics’ 71,000-square-foot state-of-the-art basketball practice facility, 85,000 square feet of Class A office and laboratory space and 5,700 square feet of retail. The following is a photograph from The Auerbach Center’s topping-off ceremony, courtesy Nathan Fried-Lipski / Nate Photography:

Ribbon cut on newly completed Meriel Marina Bay luxury apartments, and Marina Bay boardwalk expansion, on Quincy waterfront

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Saturday, August 12th for the newly completed Meriel Marina Bay luxury apartments on the Quincy waterfront, and the associated expansion of the Marina Bay boardwalk. The boardwalk’s size has been nearly doubled as part of Meriel Marina Bay’s development, creating new publicly-accessibly waterfront space and retail. Meriel Marina Bay features two five-story buildings featuring 352 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, with resident amenities including a fitness center, three elevated courtyards, a swimming pool and on-site garage parking. Breathtaking views of Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline are visible throughout Meriel Marina Bay. Over 25% of apartments at Meriel Marina Bay are leased following the launch of leasing last Spring; apartments are now available for lease.

Meriel Marina Bay is the latest addition to Quincy’s thriving Marina Bay neighborhood, located a short drive, transit trip or boat ride to Downtown Boston. “The expansion of the Marina Bay boardwalk is a truly meaningful milestone in our work to complete the Meriel Marina Bay community and further enhance the many wonderful aspects of this neighborhood,” said Hines Managing Director Michael Francis in a prepared statement. “The new boardwalk and new retail spaces will provide additional opportunities to complement the already thriving mix of retail offerings along the waterfront and provide both locals and visitors with added space to enjoy the unique benefits of this waterfront neighborhood.”

Meriel Marina Bay complements Quincy’s recent resurgence, with hundreds of thousands of square feet of new housing and commercial space currently under development and recently completed. “Our city has experienced an ongoing positive evolution across all neighborhoods over the last number of years with the steady addition of new businesses and residents proud to call Quincy home,” said Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch in a prepared statement. “Marina Bay has particularly continued to thrive as a destination where residents and visitors alike come to live, work and play, and I’m thrilled to see the continued growth of this community with the expansion of the boardwalk through the construction of Meriel Marina Bay.”

Big Night Entertainment Group and Live Nation New England ink lease for entertainment venue at The Hub on Causeway

Renowned entertainment venue proponents Big Night Entertainment Group and Live Nation New England have secured a lease of 31,680 square feet at the upcoming Hub on Causeway mixed-use development in Bulfinch Triangle, in which the proponents will open a new entertainment venue. Big Night and Live Nation’s new venue will be part of The Hub on Causeway’s first phase, which is on schedule for completion in late 2018, and will be located primarily on the development’s second floor, with a 1,324-square-foot lobby on the ground floor.

In a January 2016 interview with the Boston Herald, at which time the lease was still being negotiated, Live Nation President Don Law said the venue will be “a nightclub, restaurant, concert venue and bowling facility combination”. Law also revealed that “[Big Night founder] Ed [Kane] is going to run [the venue], and … [Live Nation will do] the music”. Per Law’s interview, the venue’s name “will include ‘rock’ and ‘bowl’”.

The Hub on Causeway’s first phase will feature 175,000 square feet of creative office space, 210,000 square feet of retail including Star Market and ArcLight Cinema, and 64,000 square feet of TD Garden expansion space. WeWork has leased 38,000 square feet in The Hub of Causeway’s first phase for a new collaborative workspace. Subsequent phases of The Hub on Causeway will construct three new towers featuring residential, hotel and office space. The $950 million development will span a total of 1.87 million square feet.

Pier 4 office building nearly glassed in, condominium building superstructure concrete pouring underway

The Seaport District’s 13-story, 373,000-square-foot Pier 4 waterfront office building, which will be anchored by Boston Consulting Group, is nearly fully glassed in, with floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall panels installed up to the building’s 10th floor. Pouring of concrete floors and fireproofing spraying are both just about complete inside the building. The Pier 4 office building will feature open floor plates with sweeping views of Boston Harbor. Boston Consulting Group has leased 202,000 square feet across the top 7 floors; expected occupancy is in Fall 2018. A total of 353,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of retail will be located at the Pier 4 office building; space is now available for lease.

Pouring of the concrete superstructure of Pier 4’s nine-story, 106-unit waterfront luxury condominium building is now underway, with the first floor podium and second floor both fully poured. Sales of Pier 4’s condominiums, which range from one to four bedrooms and are the only Seaport residences surrounded by water on three sides, are now underway, in addition to leasing of the building’s 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. A condominium sales center has been constructed on the future site of Pier 4’s waterfront park, which will provide the public with sweeping Boston Harbor and Boston skyline views. The following are photographs of Pier 4:

Siena at Ink Block luxury condos in South End reach 60% pre-sold benchmark

The upcoming Siena at Ink Block luxury condominiums in the South End, which recently topped off, are already 60% pre-sold. This strong early demand represents the upper South End's recent renaissance, with transformative new developments such as Ink Block bringing new residents and retail options to the area. Siena residents will be located steps from the Whole Foods Market at Ink Block, in addition to multiple desirable restaurants and shops, and a short walk to Downtown Boston, South Boston and the Seaport District. Siena will feature 76 residences, with amenities including a rooftop Sky Lounge and roof deck with sweeping Boston skyline views. Siena is expected to open in early 2018.

Innovative The Benjamin & VIA residences in Seaport District now open, new retail offerings revealed

The Benjamin & VIA, two exclusive new mixed-use towers located in the heart of the Seaport District featuring 832 modern apartment residences and 250,000 square feet of retail, are now open. Spanning 1.5 million square feet, the $650 million development is Boston’s largest mixed-use project in over 30 years. Luxury apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom penthouses are now available for lease.

Retail at The Benjamin & VIA will open from late this Summer to early this Fall. Newly confirmed retailers include men's clothing store Bonobos, Italian coffee house Caffe Nero, outdoor outfitter Filson, clothing and outdoor gear store L.L. Bean, athletic apparel retailer Lululemon, men's clothing retailer Mr. Sid, and eyeglass retailer Warby Parker. Additional retailers will include fitness and lifestyle leader Equinox, Mexican tequila cantina rock bar Scorpion Bar & Restaurant and destination nightclub The Grand, bowling experience center Kings Bowl, chic restaurant and full bar Lobby Lounge, artisan Italian restaurant and marketplace Tuscan Italian Kitchen & Market, movie theater Showplace ICON Theatre and high-energy steakhouse STK®.

“We are thrilled to be part of such an incredible transformation taking place here in the Seaport, said Heather Boujoulian, Senior Vice President and Director of Development Investment Management at The Benjamin & VIA co-developer Berkshire Group, in a prepared statement. “From the exciting restaurants and retail stores to the recent opening of the church and the developing streetscape, our residents have access to everything right at their doorstep.” Newly revealed graphics of The Benjamin & VIA, in addition to the latest project information, are posted above.

Facade finish installation complete, interior finishing underway at The Residences at Boston Landing

All exterior finish panels have been installed along the 17-story facade of The Residences at Boston Landing, the residential component of the 15.2-acre Boston Landing mixed-use development in Brighton. Window installation along the facade is nearing completion, and installation of metal stud framing has begun inside the building in order to partition The Residences at Boston Landing's 295 luxury apartment residences. On The Residences at Boston Landing's ground floor will be 16,400 square feet of retail space; the building will also feature premier common spaces such as a fitness center, multiple roof decks, an active lounge with a pool table and a 20,000 square foot landscaped patio with a swimming pool and cabanas. The Residences at Boston Landing is expected to open in June 2018. The following are photographs of The Residences at Boston Landing:

The Auerbach Center, future Boston Celtics practice facility at Boston Landing, nears topping off

Construction of the steel frame of The Auerbach Center, the future official practice facility of the Boston Celtics, at Boston Landing in Brighton is nearing the building’s full height of six stories. On The Auerbach Center’s lower levels, both fireproofing and pouring of concrete to construct floors have begun. Part of the 15.2-acre Boston Landing development, The Auerbach Center will contain a total of approximately 160,000 square feet of space, including the Boston Celtics’ 71,000-square-foot state-of-the-art basketball practice facility in addition to 85,000 square feet of Class A office and laboratory space and 5,700 square feet of retail. Completion of The Auerbach Center is expected by mid-2018. The following are photographs of The Auerbach Center:

UMass Boston's first student residence hall tops off at 12 stories tall

UMass Boston's first-ever on-campus student residence hall, featuring 1,077 beds and a host of amenities, has topped off at 12 stories tall. A topping-off ceremony was held at the $120 million residence hall today, during which the structure's last steel beam was lifted into place. With structural steel construction complete, concrete floor pouring is now underway on the residence hall's upper floors. Concrete floors have been poured on the building's lower floors, along which facade weatherproofing has begun. Opening in time for the Fall 2018 semester, UMass Boston's residence hall will also provide the UMass Boston community with a new ground-floor dining hall. Resident amenities will include a TV lounge, a gaming area and a study lounge. The following are photographs from the residence hall topping-off ceremony, courtesy residence hall architect Elkus Manfredi Architects:

Celebrating the #toppingoff of the #elkusmanfrediproject @UMassBoston res hall pic.twitter.com/ZEMou5FGVY

— Elkus Manfredi Arch. (@ElkusManfredi) August 3, 2017

Up it goes! #elkusmanfrediproject @UMassBoston res hall #toppingoff pic.twitter.com/mHfxYlk77e

— Elkus Manfredi Arch. (@ElkusManfredi) August 3, 2017

Beam in place! Congratulations to the entire project team! @Shawmut_Builds #capstone #elkusmanfrediproject @UMassBoston res hall #toppingoff pic.twitter.com/bxYxzrRkZi

— Elkus Manfredi Arch. (@ElkusManfredi) August 3, 2017

Facade weatherproofing and interior framing underway at Siena at Ink Block luxury condos in South End

Large weatherproofing sections have been installed along the facade of Siena at Ink Block, a new luxury condominium building opening next year at Ink Block in the South End. Window and facade finish installation at Siena will begin in the coming weeks. Inside the building, metal stud framing is being installed to partition individual condominiums. Siena will feature 76 new luxury condominiums, which are now on sale, with resident amenities including an indoor-outdoor rooftop sky lounge with sweeping views, a fully equipped fitness center, 24/7 concierge service and on-site parking. The following are photographs of Siena At Ink Block:

Facade installation complete at AC Hotel South End, opening this Fall at Ink Block

Windows and finishes have been fully installed along the facade of AC Hotel South End, a contemporary hotel opening later this year at Ink Block in the South End. Finishing of the building’s 200 guest rooms is now underway; plastering of rooms is nearing completion, and luxurious finishes are being installed throughout. Amenities at AC Hotel South End will include a bar, a lounge area, a fitness center and an indoor pool. The following are photographs of AC Hotel South End:

Underground parking excavation complete at The Hub on Causeway, superstructure construction underway

Excavation of the 1.87-million-square-foot Hub on Causeway mixed-use development's 540-car underground parking garage has hit rock bottom and is now complete. Pouring of the development's concrete foundation is nearing completion, and the development's first elevator core has gone vertical. The first steel girders of The Hub on Causeway's Phase I podium have risen above grade, signaling the start of superstructure construction. Phase I of The Hub on Causeway is expected to open in late 2018 and will feature 175,000 square feet of creative office space, 210,000 square feet of retail including Star Market and ArcLight Cinema, and 64,000 square feet of TD Garden expansion space. Subsequent phases will construct three new towers featuring residential, hotel and office space. The following is an aerial view of The Hub on Causeway:

The following is a video of the final excavation at The Hub on Causeway:

Last scoop ! Congratulations Rock Bottom completion #thehuboncauseway #uptownboston #sustainabledevelopment #mixedusedelopment pic.twitter.com/9TibLuFEoR

— Bryan Koop (@koop_bjk) July 22, 2017

Transformation of vacant East Cambridge municipal tower moves forward with court ruling

The transformation of the vacant Sullivan Courthouse and Middlesex Jail tower in East Cambridge has moved forward with the Massachusetts Appeals Court's upholding of the project's approval, ending a lengthy court battle and allowing developer Leggat McCall to proceed with construction. A group of East Cambridge residents had sued to block the project, citing concerns with the tower's density and height. Construction will now begin imminently on a gut rehabilitation of the tower, located at 40 Thorndike Street in East Cambridge. The tower will be converted into approximately 430,000 square feet of office, research & development space, 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and 24 apartment residences, all within the existing structure. Two floors will be removed from the existing 22-story, 282-foot-tall tower, resulting in a 20-story structure that is 24 feet shorter.

Reebok unveils new Seaport headquarters at The Innovation and Design Building

Reebok has unveiled new renderings of “The Home of Fitness”, its’ new 220,000-square-foot global headquarters at The Innovation and Design Building in the Seaport District which will open this Fall. Designed by Gensler and located at 25 Drydock Avenue, “The Home of Fitness” will span five floors and house 700 Reebok employees. “The new home of fitness will be more than just an office building, it will be a workplace unlike any other in an amazing part of the city,” said Reebok Vice President John Lynch in a prepared statement. “It will be a great environment to inspire Reebok to make the best fitness products in the world. These new visuals show that the new space is modern, beautifully designed, and innovative while retaining the authenticity of this historic building.”

“The Home of Fitness” will feature creative common spaces including an “alternative activity-based work zone” that encourages collaboration with “a comfortable and light-filled environment” graced with sweeping Boston skyline views, and a “work cafe” with grab and go food offerings and a sit-down cafe with bar height, booth, round-group and lounge seating, in addition to a stadium bleacher area for large group events and meetings. Together, Reebok and Gensler have created a space graced with natural lighting and an open floorplan that will foster innovation and a healthy workplace. “We are inspired and energized by Reebok,” said Gensler Studio Director and Principal Arlyn Vogelmann in a prepared statement. “Together we are creating a new world-class headquarters experience for both their staff and customers that will allow them to provide the most active and healthy workplace, attract top talent, and showcase the brand in the best possible way.” The following are renderings of “The Home of Fitness”:

Interior finishing underway at Allston’s new Trader Joe’s supermarket, opening by end of year at Continuum

Interior finishing work at the upcoming 13,000-square-foot Trader Joe’s supermarket at the recently completed $150 million, 350,000-square-foot Continuum mixed-use building in Allston, located steps from Harvard Business School, is well underway. Painting of surfaces including the retail space’s exposed ceiling, utilities and structural poles is now underway, and the space will soon be equipped with shelving, kiosks and other essential supermarket items. Trader Joe’s is expected to open at Continuum by the end of this year, joining upcoming retail options including Jewish deli concept Our Father’s Deli as well as a coffee shop and fitness retailer yet to be named. Just 3,787 square feet of retail space remain for lease at Continuum; the remaining space comes equipped with a full liquor license at no further cost to the tenant. The following are photographs of work underway at Trader Joe’s:

Work is underway at the new Trader Joe's in Allston. Working for Suffolk Construction we're painting a number of surfaces, like this exposed industrial ceiling. The market is scheduled to open later this year, anchoring a new development. #Retail #Grocery #Supermarket #TraderJoes #Allston #Boston #Massachusetts #NewEngland #Paint #Painter #Painters #Painting #WallCovering #SkilledTrades #Tradesman #Subcontractor #Union #HighlyTrained #HighlySkilled #Industrial #ExposedCeiling

A post shared by Soep Painting Corporation (@soeppainting) on Jul 12, 2017 at 10:44am PDT

The following are photographs of Continuum:

Weatherproofing underway at The Circle, luxurious new hotel and adult housing opening Early 2018 in Brighton

Both buildings at the 218,520-square-foot Circle mixed-use development in Brighton's Cleveland Circle have topped off, and weatherproofing of the structures is now underway. Windows have been fully installed at the future 92-unit Waterstone luxury adult apartment building, and the building's exterior is just about fully fireproofed. Exterior facade finish installation will begin at Waterstone in the coming weeks. Window installation is well underway at the 162-room AC Hotel, and moisture-resistant cladding installation has begun at the building's base. A total of approximately 14,000 square feet of retail space will be located along The Circle's ground floor; The Circle is jointly developed by National Development and Boston Development Group and is located steps from the MBTA Green Line. Completion of The Circle is anticipated in Early 2018. The following are photographs of The Circle:

Sephora opens in Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace Pavilion, Helical Drilling provides helical pile geotechnical design/build solution

The replacement of an aging 1970s retail structure at Faneuil Hall Marketplace downtown with a gleaming new pavilion featuring a sweeping glass curtain wall is now complete, with a new Sephora high-end cosmetics store now open. The project presented a unique construction challenge given its’ small footprint and location in a popular historic neighborhood constantly bustling with tourists and office workers. Furthermore, the site is located in an area of Boston created with urban fill, which can be unstable if not properly reinforced. The associated transportation needs to replace existing urban fill would have been unsuitable for Faneuil Hall Marketplace’s tight, busy urban location. Accordingly, it was deemed necessary to install piles on the site in order to strengthen the soil.

Traditional pile driving, which is very loud and requires large equipment to perform, not to mention very long individual piles, would not have been ideal for Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Accordingly, geotechnical design/build specialist Helical Drilling was brought in to install helical piles, smaller, more space-efficient foundation elements that can be very cost-effective in a tight urban environment such as Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Helical Drilling performed the helical pile installation in just eight days, allowing the project to proceed quickly, on budget and on schedule. The result is a new modern landmark for Quincy Market that will serve the district for years to come. The following is a photograph of the new Faneuil Hall Marketplace Pavilion, courtesy Helical Drilling:

The following are photographs of helical pile installation underway at Faneuil Hall Marketplace Pavilion, courtesy Helical Drilling:

Glass curtain wall installation begins at Pier 4 offices in Seaport District, condominium sales launch

The first glass curtain wall panels have been installed along the lower levels of the recently-topped-off 13-story, 373,000-square-foot Pier 4 office building. The building will feature 353,000 square feet of Class A office space with floor-to-ceiling windows and open floor plates offering sweeping views of Boston Harbor. On the Pier 4 office building’s upper levels, concrete is being poured to construct floors and fireproofing is being sprayed along columns and ceilings. The Pier 4 office building will be anchored by Boston Consulting Group, who will occupy 202,000 square feet across the top 7 floors, with completion expected in Fall 2018. 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail will be located along the Pier 4 office building’s ground floor.

A nine-story residential building featuring 106 luxurious condominiums with 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail is also being constructed at the Pier 4 site. Foundation construction for this building is currently underway, and a tower crane has been erected in anticipation of superstructure construction. Condominium sales at Pier 4 have launched and are now underway; available residences range from one to four bedrooms and are the only Seaport residences surrounded by water on three sides. Initial demand for condominiums is reportedly strong. “We’ve been receiving tremendous interest in PIER 4,” said Advisors Living CEO Janice Dumont, who is leading the sales team at PIER 4. “These homes offer an urban oasis; an intimate yet energetic retreat within the Seaport. You can walk to the water’s edge, look back at the skyline and be a part of Boston’s inner harbor.” The following are photographs of Pier 4:

The Benjamin in Seaport District welcomes first residents, retail openings at Benjamin & VIA expected by Fall

The Benjamin, a new 354-unit apartment community in the Seaport District, is now open and welcomed its’ first residents earlier this month. The first move-ins at VIA, The Benjamin’s 478-unit sister building, will take place this Summer. Exterior facades of both buildings are now complete, and finishing touches on VIA’s interior as well as the Benjamin & VIA development’s 250,000 square feet of exclusive street-level retail are now underway. Retail at The Benjamin will include fitness and lifestyle leader Equinox, Mexican tequila cantina rock bar Scorpion Bar & Restaurant and destination nightclub The Grand. At VIA will be bowling experience center Kings Bowl, chic restaurant and full bar Lobby Lounge, artisan Italian restaurant and marketplace Tuscan Italian Kitchen & Market, movie theater Showplace ICON Theatre and high-energy steakhouse STK®. Boston’s largest mixed-use development in over 30 years, The Benjamin & VIA features 832 total apartment residences across two new buildings, in addition to retail, and encompasses 1.5 million square feet of space. The following are photographs of The Benjamin & The VIA:

Facade complete at 50 Liberty waterfront luxury condos in Seaport District, interior fit out underway

The 14-story glass-and-marble facade of the 50 Liberty luxury waterfront condominium residences in the Seaport District is complete, with all floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall panels, marble exterior finish panels and private balconies installed. Interior fit out of 50 Liberty’s 120 luxury residences is now underway in anticipation of the building’s opening in Early 2018; luxury residences at 50 Liberty are now on sale. Finishing of 50 Liberty’s interior common spaces, which include desirable amenities such as a private waterfront club room, a board room for meetings and a private gym, is also underway. On 50 Liberty’s ground floor will be 30,000 square feet of civic, cultural and retail space along a new waterfront boardwalk. The following are photographs of 50 Liberty:

13-story Pier 4 office building in Seaport District tops off

A topping-off ceremony was held this past Wednesday (June 7th, 2017) for the 13-story, 373,000-square-foot Pier 4 office building in the Seaport District. The ceremony marked the completion of construction of the building’s steel structural frame. Concrete pouring to construct the office building’s interior floors and interior fireproofing are both now underway, and facade finish installation has begun at the office building’s base.

The Pier 4 office building will be anchored by Boston Consulting Group, who will occupy 202,000 square feet across the top 7 floors. In total, the building will feature 353,000 square feet of Class A office space with 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. A nine-story residential building at Pier 4 featuring 100 luxurious condominiums and 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail is also under construction facing Boston Harbor. The following are photographs from the Pier 4 topping-off ceremony, courtesy Elkus Manfredi Architects:

Here is the beam ready for signing and lifting into place at #elkusmanfrediproject Pier 4 with @turner_talk! pic.twitter.com/ezzewvstBl

— Elkus Manfredi Arch. (@ElkusManfredi) June 7, 2017

Getting ready for the topping off of #elkusmanfrediproject Pier 4 with @turner_talk pic.twitter.com/EmV1m2sIWV

— Elkus Manfredi Arch. (@ElkusManfredi) June 7, 2017

Up goes the beam... pic.twitter.com/ZKTBfX9wlj

— Elkus Manfredi Arch. (@ElkusManfredi) June 7, 2017

Beam in place at Pier 4! pic.twitter.com/r1Mhx8cSs1

— Elkus Manfredi Arch. (@ElkusManfredi) June 7, 2017

Facade installation preparations underway at Siena at Ink Block luxury condos in South End

The eight-story facade of the recently-topped-off Siena at Ink Block luxury condominium residences in the South End is being prepared for installation of exterior finishes. Steel infill walls have been installed along Siena's perimeter up to the building's fourth floor; these walls will support and reinforce Siena's facade, which will consist of distinctive brickwork and metal panels. Within the building, concrete has been poured at the bases of nearly all floors, allowing for framing of individual residences to begin. Opening in early 2018, Siena will feature 76 new luxury condominium residences now on sale with state-of-the-art amenities including a rooftop Sky Lounge and a fully-equipped fitness center. The following are photographs of Siena at Ink Block:

Facade nearing completion, interior finishing underway at AC Hotel South End

Black and grey exterior finish panels have been installed along large sections of AC Hotel South End's facade, and are just about fully installed along Albany Street. Windows have been fitted along all sides of the building, and weatherproofing is fully in place. Inside AC Hotel South End, individual hotel rooms have been framed, and state-of-the-art modern finishes are being installed. Opening this Fall, AC Hotel South End will feature 200 guest rooms with high-class contemporary amenities including a bar, a lounge area, a fitness center and an indoor pool. The following are photographs of AC Hotel South End:

Exterior and interior finishing underway at Boston University’s Joan and Edgar Booth Theatre

The four-story steel frame of Boston University (BU)’s new Joan and Edgar Booth Theatre on Commonwealth Avenue has topped off, and exterior and interior finishing are now underway. The theatre’s exterior facade is being weatherproofed; moisture-resistant cladding and fireproofing are both being installed in anticipation of exterior finish panel installation along the sides of the building. The theatre will feature a striking glass curtain wall overlooking Commonwealth Avenue, in addition to aluminum composite panel and ultra-high-performance concrete finishes. Inside the building, framing of interior spaces, fireproofing and installation of electrical, mechanical & plumbing utilities are all underway. The 75,000-square-foot Joan and Edgar Booth Theatre will open this Fall. The following are photographs of the Joan and Edgar Booth Theatre:

Developer will activate former Lynn GE plant with new mixed-use development and commuter rail station

By Marlon A. Cohen

For years, the Riverworks commuter rail station, located along the Saugus River in Lynn, has been open only to employees of the nearby eponymous General Electric (GE) plant. However, as part of developer Charles Patsios’ proposal to construct approximately 1,260 residential units over five phases across 65.5 acres formerly owned by GE, the station will be open to the general public in the coming years, providing the surrounding Lynn community with a direct rail connection to Boston.

Last week, Patsios and the State of Massachusetts reached a deal to allow public access to the station for the first time. Per the deal, Patsios will pay to construct two new 783-foot-long accessible station platforms with spacious walkways, as well as an 80-car parking lot. The station, which will be directly accessible by car from the Lynnway (Route 1A), will be a remarkably important improvement for Lynn, providing a 15-minute train ride to Downtown Boston just two stops to Boston’s North Station. The station will also create new transit-oriented housing opportunity north of Boston. “Having the Riverworks station available for everyone makes this a truly transit-oriented development,” Patsios said in an ItemLive interview. Patsios purchased the 65.5-acre site in 2014 for $7.6 million.

Elevator core tops off, concrete superstructure pouring underway at Emmanuel College’s New Julie Hall in Fenway

The first elevator core at Emmanuel College’s New Julie Hall dormitory has topped off at 19 stories tall, and the building’s 19-story concrete superstructure has been poured up to the eighth floor. A second elevator core has reached the building’s ninth floor. Opening in Fall 2018, New Julie Hall will feature nearly 700 beds for Emmanuel College students as well as amenities including lounges and top-floor function space overlooking the Emerald Necklace and the Boston skyline. The following are photographs of Emmanuel College’s New Julie Hall:

The new Boston Landing commuter rail station.

With a new commuter rail station set to open this morning, Boston Landing, a former vacant brownfield site located just outside of Downtown Boston, has become the next epicenter for transit-oriented development. The opening of the station will serve as the key connecting factor for the thriving, multi-phased 15.2-acre Boston Landing mixed-use development, built by NB Development Group and The HYM Investment Group, and the Brighton neighborhood at large, providing a direct rail link to Downtown Boston. New Balance, the Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins are just a few of the influential organizations who have already become a part of Boston Landing, with many more sure to come.

Boston Landing Site Plan.

New Balance’s headquarters at Boston Landing.

The first building to unveil at Boston Landing, New Balance’s 250,000-square-foot sneaker-inspired headquarters, opened in 2015. In 2016, the Boston Bruins cut the ribbon on Warrior Ice Arena, the team’s new 500-seat practice facility at Boston Landing. 80 Guest Street, a 10-story commercial building located adjacent to Warrior Ice Arena featuring 220,000 square feet of lab and office space and 12,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, was also completed in 2016 and is currently available for lease.

Boston Landing’s Warrior Ice Arena, the official practice facility of the Boston Bruins, with 80 Guest Street at rear.

The next phases of Boston Landing will include new office, retail and residential space, as well as state-of-the-art sports facilities. The Residences at Boston Landing, a 17-story building featuring 295 modern luxury apartment residences and 16,400 square feet of retail, topped off last week, and the 160,000-square-foot Auerbach Center, which will house the Boston Celtics’ new official practice facility, will soon top off at six stories tall. Both new buildings are expected to open in mid-2018.

The Auerbach Center, future official practice facility of the Boston Celtics.

The Residences at Boston Landing.

Across from the Bruins’ and Celtics’ facilities, 71 Guest Street will provide a state-of-the-art track-and-field complex. Spanning 290,000 square feet, the building’s centerpiece will be a 200-meter hydraulically-operated running track suitable for hosting large-scale athletic events. 71 Guest Street will also include office and laboratory space, as well as ground-floor retail.

71 Guest Street.

Next to New Balance’s headquarters and the commuter rail station will be the new Boston Landing Hotel, which will accommodate up to 175 hotel rooms and meeting space for large groups or events. The hotel will also house a restaurant, as well as a lounge featuring live music and a full bar for socializing and networking.

View from the rooftop bar of the future Boston Landing Hotel.

For companies hoping to become a part of Boston Landing’s burgeoning live, work and play environment, 60 Guest Street presents a unique build-to-suit opportunity. The 350,000-square-foot building will consist of brand-new office and lab space tailored to the pioneering corporate tenant.

60 Guest Street.

Boston Landing’s newly unparalleled access to public transit and profound real estate development success has spurred additional large-scale mixed-use development in the surrounding Brighton neighborhood. Plans call for the replacement of the existing Stop & Shop supermarket, located next to Boston Landing, with Allston Yards, a two-phased, 1.9-million-square-foot development built by Stop & Shop which would feature 1,010 residential units along with a new grocery store on the first floor, retail and Class A office space.

A preliminary rendering of Stop & Shop’s proposed development.

On nearby North Beacon Street, the owners of Boston Volvo Village, an automotive dealership in operation since 1957, have begun a multi-phased redevelopment of 5.3-acre dealership property. The first phase, the restoration of the historic 5-story, 71,000-square-foot office building at 61 North Beacon Street, broke ground earlier this month and will feature a new dealership and offices for Boston Volvo Village, in addition to ground-floor retail and 28,000 square feet of available office space on upper floors. Future phases call for three new buildings, which could include multifamily housing.

61 North Beacon Street, the first phase of the Boston Volvo Village property redevelopment.

The Residences at Boston Landing tops off at 17 stories tall

The Residences at Boston Landing, a 311,000-square-foot mixed-use development in Brighton featuring 295 luxury apartment residences and 16,400 square feet of ground-floor retail, has topped off at 17 stories tall. A topping-off ceremony was held at The Residences at Boston Landing last Tuesday (May 9th, 2017), with speakers including Thomas N. O’Brien, Founding Partner and Managing Director of The HYM Investment Group, Jim Davis, Chairman of New Balance Athletics, Inc, Kevin Adolphe, President and CEO of John Hancock Real Estate and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The Residences at Boston Landing project team, construction workers and community members all gathered on the project site to formally hoist the final steel beam of the development’s 17-story frame into the sky and install the beam at the frame’s summit.

The Residences at Boston Landing’s residents will be situated steps to multiple amenities and direct commuter rail service to Downtown Boston. It was recently announced that dining options Rail Stop Restaurant & Bar, Kohi Coffee Company and Flatbread Pizza Company will all open at Boston Landing; the Boston Landing commuter rail station is expected to open this month. “The Residences at Boston Landing provides residents the opportunity to have access to spectacular amenities within the building, access to the new retail shops on Guest Street, and will benefit from being across the street from the new MBTA commuter rail station," said O’Brien at the topping-off ceremony. The following are photographs of the Residences at Boston Landing topping-off ceremony:

The following are photographs of speakers at the Residences at Boston Landing topping-off ceremony:

The following are photographs of The Residences at Boston Landing:

WeWork space and live music venue coming to The Hub on Causeway in Bulfinch Triangle

Collaborative workspace provider WeWork and live entertainment company Live Nation Entertainment Group have reportedly leased space at the 1.87 million square foot Hub on Causeway mixed-use development in Bulfinch Triangle. Developer Boston Properties has announced that Live Nation has leased 32,000 square feet for a new live music venue. Per a tweet by Steve Adams of Banker & Tradesman, WeWork has leased 38,000 square feet for a new collaborative workspace; WeWork spaces include shared co-working space as well as private offices. Both tenants would open within the first phase of The Hub on Causeway, which will open in late 2018.

Steel frame rising at Boston Landing’s Auerbach Center, future home of Celtics’ practice facility

The Auerbach Center’s concrete base foundation has been fully poured, and the building’s six-story steel structure has risen up to the building's future second floor. Metal decking has been installed along a large section of The Auerbach Center’s first floor; concrete will be poured on the decking in order to construct the first floor’s base. Opening mid-2018, The Auerbach Center will feature 160,000 total square feet of space, which will include the future practice facility of the Boston Celtics. The following are photographs of The Auerbach Center:

Facade finishing underway at AC Hotel South End, opening this Fall at Ink Block

The first exterior finishes have been installed at AC Hotel South End, a trendy boutique hotel that will open this Fall at Ink Block in the South End. Windows and fireproofing have been installed along nearly the entire building, and individual hotel rooms have been framed inside. In the coming months, the facade will be completed, and the hotel’s interior will be appointed with modern, luxurious finishes. AC Hotel South End will feature 200 guest rooms with desirable amenities including a bar and lounge area, a fitness center and an indoor pool. The following are photographs of AC Hotel South End:

Siena at Ink Block luxury condos in South End top off

A topping-off ceremony was recently held for Siena at Ink Block, the South End’s latest luxury condominium building. Hundreds of construction workers and the Siena project team gathered last Friday (April 28th, 2017) to formally hoist the final steel beam of Siena’s 8-story frame into the sky and install the beam at the frame’s summit.

National Development Managing Partner Ted Tye spoke briefly prior to the beam’s installation, thanking the construction and project teams for their hard work. Siena will be located in National Development’s vibrant Ink Block development, which upon Siena’s completion will be home to nearly 500 housing units, the acclaimed Bar Mezzana, Fuji at Ink Block and Lion’s Tail restaurants and top-quality retail including a Whole Foods grocery store.

Completion of Siena is expected in early 2018; with steel frame construction complete, the construction team will commence facade construction and interior finishing. Concrete slabs have been poured at the bases of nearly half of Siena’s floors, allowing for partitioning of individual residences to begin. Siena’s 76 luxury condominium residences, which will feature sweeping skyline views and desirable amenities including a private rooftop bar and lounge, are currently on sale in studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom configurations. The following are photographs from the Siena at Ink Block topping-off ceremony:

$76.35 million financing arranged for new Celtics practice facility at Boston Landing

NB Development Group has secured a $76.35 million construction and permanent financing loan for The Auerbach Center, a new 160,000-square-foot mixed-use building at Boston Landing which will include a new practice facility for the Boston Celtics. Financing was provided by East Boston Savings Bank in a deal arranged by Transwestern Consulting Group. NB and the Celtics broke ground on The Auerbach Center in October 2016; completion of the building is expected in mid-2018.

Interior fit out underway at 100 Binney, new Kendall Square Class A lab and office building

Interior fit out is well underway at 100 Binney, an upcoming 431,500 square foot Class A lab and office building in Kendall Square. Tenants at 100 Binney will include global biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb, who has leased 208,000 square feet. Glass has been installed along 100 Binney’s ground-floor storefronts, and finishing touches are underway along the essentially complete facade. 100 Binney is scheduled for completion this Fall. The following are photographs of 100 Binney:

Underground parking excavation nears completion at The Hub on Causeway

Excavation of The Hub on Causeway’s 540-car underground parking garage and foundation is nearing completion. A sea of massive steel members spans across the project site, temporarily bracing the newly excavated hole immediately adjacent to the TD Garden and Causeway Street. The final underground parking structure will brace the development’s permanent foundation wall, allowing for the removal of the temporary steel bracing. Completion of Phase One of the three-phase, 1.87 million square foot development is expected in late 2018 and will include office space, retail/restaurant space and an expansion of TD Garden. The following are photographs of The Hub on Causeway:

Sulmona and Cafe Luna restaurants open at newly completed 610 Main Street North in Kendall Square

Sulmona, a new Italian restaurant and bar serving brunch, lunch and dinner, and Cafe Luna, a cafe serving breakfast and lunch, have both opened on the ground floor of the new 610 Main Street North mixed-use building in Kendall Square. 610 Main Street North features 280,000 square feet of office, laboratory and retail space and is now occupied by lead tenant Pfizer. The following are photographs of 610 Main Street North:

1,054-room Omni Hotel coming to Seaport District

Massport has selected Omni Resorts and Hotels and New Boston Hospitality LLC, a conglomerate of real estate firms and investors including The Davis Companies, to develop a 1,054-room hotel on a 2.1-acre parcel located across from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in the Seaport District. The new hotel, which will be the largest in the Seaport District and the fourth-largest in Boston and all of Massachusetts, will feature two new 21-story towers and will also include 120,000 square feet of meeting and event space, 40,000 square feet of retail space and an 8,500 square foot spa. Construction of the hotel is anticipated to start in summer 2018, with completion expected in early 2021. Omni Resorts and Hotel is the owner and operator of the Omni Parker House hotel in Downtown Crossing. The following are renderings of the Seaport Omni Hotel:

The following is a site plan of the Seaport Omni Hotel:

Window installation underway at AC Hotel South End

Window installation is well underway at the new AC Hotel South End, and fireproofing is being installed along the building’s façade. Inside AC Hotel South End, metal framing is being installed to partition individual hotel rooms. Opening later this year, AC Hotel South End will feature 200 guest rooms located adjacent to the Ink Block development. The following are photographs of AC Hotel South End:

Siena at Ink Block condominiums in South End near topping off

Siena at Ink Block’s eight-story frame has reached the building’s seventh floor and will soon top off. On completed floors, metal floor decks have been installed to support Siena at Ink Block’s future concrete floor slabs, and perimeter relieving angles have been installed to support the building’s future exterior brick façade. Opening in 2018, Siena at Ink Block will feature 76 luxury residences now on sale. The following are photographs of Siena at Ink Block:

Window installation underway at The Circle in Brighton, new renderings revealed

The Waterstone luxury adult apartment building at The Circle, a two-building mixed-use development in Brighton’s Cleveland Circle, has topped off at six stories high. Windows have been installed along a large section of Waterstone’s facade, and weatherproofing and fireproofing of Waterstone are also underway. Next to Waterstone, the future five-story AC Hotel has reached four stories high and will soon top off. Both buildings at The Circle are expected to open in Early 2018. New renderings of The Circle, including renderings of Waterstone luxury residences, have been revealed and are posted above. The following are photographs of The Circle:

Ink Underground, eight-acre cultural playground, opening at Ink Block in South End this June

National Development, developer of Ink Block in the South End, will open Ink Underground, an 8-acre urban park and cultural playground, in a currently underutilized space underneath the Southeast Expressway (I-93) adjacent to Ink Block. Ink Underground will extend east from Albany Street to Fort Point Channel under I-93 and will also feature pedestrian boardwalks and bicycle paths along Fort Point Channel, creating a new, active connection between the rapidly-developing South End and South Boston neighborhoods.

Amenities at Ink Underground will include 24-hour security, a dog park, a curated series of pop-up food and beverage experiences, public art walls, sculpture exhibitions and a diverse program of special events including a graffiti art festival, an artisan night market and fitness classes. Additionally, a bike storage facility and 175 parking spaces will be located at Ink Underground. National Development has entered into a long-term lease as Ink Underground's operator in a public-private partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The following is a rendering of Ink Underground:

New Fenway green space at Landmark Center moving forward, development plan changes anticipated

Developer Samuels & Associates has revealed a new rendering of the upcoming public green space that will replace the current Landmark Center parking lot in the Fenway; this green space will be the first phase of the approved $650 million Landmark Center Expansion development. This rendering is posted above. Construction of the 1-acre green space, which will include a lawn, walking paths, trees and outdoor seating, is anticipated to commence this summer, with completion expected by next summer.

Within the next couple of months, Samuels is expected to reveal proposed changes to the approved Landmark Center Expansion development plan; these changes are reportedly being made primarily in response to changing market conditions since the project's approval in 2014. "There are some physical changes to the building that are changing how we do the retail,” said Samuels Principal Peter Sougarides in an interview with the Boston Herald. Likewise, plans for a 75,000 square foot Wegmans grocery store included in the 2014 development plan may be revised. "We're still working though that," Sougarides told the Herald.

Anonymous investor acquires 45% stake in Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Seaport District campus for $261 million

An anonymous financial investor has paid $261 million to acquire a 45% equity stake in Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ 1.1 million square foot, two-building Seaport District global headquarters campus. Senior Housing Properties Trust (SNH), who acquired the campus for $1.1 billion in May 2014, retains a 55% majority stake in the campus and will continue to manage the property. The anonymous investor’s $261 million investment is based on the campus’ present valuation of $1.2 billion, with under $620 million of existing secured debt on the property.

SNH closed last July on a new 10-year, $620 million mortgage on the campus provided by Morgan Stanley and Citi Bank with a fixed interest rate of 3.53%; the loan will mature in August 2026. “This transaction highlights the increased value of these two well-located, well-leased buildings since we acquired them less than three years ago,” said SNH President & COO David Hegarty in a statement. “This transaction also reduces our investment portfolio’s concentration in this property and reduces our overall leverage.”

Pier 4 office building steel superstructure rising

The steel frame of the 13-story, 373,000 square foot Pier 4 office building in the Seaport District has reached four stories high, with the building’s elevator core topped off. Two full stories of the frame have been erected. The Pier 4 office building will be anchored by Boston Consulting Group, who will occupy 202,000 square feet across the top 7 floors, and will feature 353,000 square feet of Class A office space with 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. A nine-story residential building at Pier 4 with 100 luxurious condominiums and 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail is also under construction facing Boston Harbor. The following are photographs of the Pier 4 site:

Meriel Marina Bay nears opening

Interior and exterior finishing touches are well underway at Meriel Marina Bay, a waterfront luxury apartment community opening Phase 1 this Spring in Quincy. Callahan Construction Managers is building this mixed-use property in Quincy’s thriving Marina Bay neighborhood in partnership with client Hines. The construction team is installing luxurious features including stainless steel appliances, porcelain backsplash kitchen tiles, solid quartz countertops, Kronoswiss® hardwood flooring and plush bedroom carpeting in Meriel Marina Bay’s 352 apartments.

Windows have been fully installed across both of Meriel Marina Bay’s buildings, and exterior finish panel installation is just about complete. The construction team is also installing railings and finishes along communal elevated courtyards and apartments’ private balconies. Along Meriel Marina Bay’s ground floor, a public waterfront boardwalk is being constructed overlooking Boston Harbor. The property will also include approximately 20,000 square feet of retail space that will line the boardwalk. The following are photographs of Meriel Marina Bay:

Transformative MIT development aims to create an active, walkable Kendall Square

By Matthew M. Robare

View of the development along the Cambridge skyline

Featuring six new buildings totaling nearly 1.7 million square feet and pegged at $1.2 billion, MIT’s Kendall Square Initiative development is transforming Kendall Square with a pedestrian streetscape, state-of-the-art office space and an increased residential presence. Formerly dormant blocks and surface parking lots will be revitalized with new retail and public spaces topped off with offices and residences that will activate the area 24/7. The development’s SoMa (South of Main Street) phase began construction last fall, and the NoMa (North of Main Street) phase is moving through design review.

A map showing the Kendall Square Initiative buildings within the neighborhood

Updated plans for the NoMa phase were recently revealed. NoMa will construct Building One, a 290 to 300-unit apartment building, as well as 33,915 square feet of new retail and 15,995 square feet of new office space strategically positioned along Broadway and Broad Canal Way. As part of NoMa, the existing One Broadway office building will be improved with additional office and retail space as well as facade renovations and a new office tenant outdoor terrace. Building One will be located adjacent to the existing One Broadway building, replacing an existing surface parking lot, and will provide additional retail frontage along both streets. Building One will be 24 stories tall and will contain approximately 384,050 square feet. At least 53 apartments at Building One will be affordable under Cambridge’s inclusionary zoning ordinance. 

Building One from Main Street, looking west

Building One will replace the existing 144-space surface parking lot with 150 garage parking spaces and over 350 bicycle storage spaces. The development team hopes to activate the Broadway frontage with a grocery store; the new retail along Broad Canal Way will complement the existing ground-floor retail along that street located in the Watermark Kendall development.

A view of Broad Canal Way activated through ground floor retail on both sides, with NoMa at right and Watermark Kendall at left

The SoMa phase, Buildings Two through Six, will build five new buildings while preserving three historic buildings on Main Street. Building Two will feature 300,000 square feet of office space and 18,000 square feet of retail at the corner of Main Street and Wadsworth Street. Building Two will replace MIT’s existing Eastgate graduate student housing building.

View of Building Two along Main Street

Building Three will contain approximately 280,000 square feet of research and laboratory space and will be built on the existing Hayward Street surface parking lot. Approximately 27,000 square feet of retail will be located at Building Three’s base.

View of Building Three along Wadsworth Street

Building Four will feature academic housing, with as many as 450 units for graduate students, as well as a 9,000 square foot childcare center and 28,000 square feet of retail.

View of Building Four from Main Street

Building Five will feature 360,000 square feet of office space, 20,000 square feet of retail and a new 65,000 square foot home for the MIT Museum. Building Five will replace the existing Kendall Square Lot and a one-story commercial building. Lastly, Building Six will be a two-story commercial building with 6,600 square feet of retail space.

View of Building Five from Courtyard

About 1,400 parking spaces will be built as part of SoMa, and two new Hubway stations are planned for the full development. A new head house for the Kendall Square MBTA Red Line station may be built. Other pedestrian-oriented improvements are in the works, such as raised crosswalks on Wadsworth Street, multiple new green spaces and the closure of Hayward Street to through traffic, creating a new retail and public space-lined pedestrian mall. The development of retail along the south side of Main Street and side streets will contribute to pedestrian use and make the MIT campus more connected to Kendall Square’s multiple public transit options.

Aerial view of MIT Kendall Square Initiative

New renderings revealed of proposed 1000 Boylston Street towers in Back Bay

Proponents Weiner Ventures and Prudential Financial have revealed new renderings of 1000 Boylston Street, a 689,000 square foot Back Bay mixed-use development that would feature two 40-story (566 foot) and 24-story (283 foot) residential towers with ground-floor retail. These renderings are posted above and show the development visible from a number of key Boston points; the two towers are poised to become a key feature of the Boston skyline. The current 1000 Boylston Street proposal calls for 160 condominium residences, 182 apartment residences and 35,000 square feet of retail. The following are renderings of 1000 Boylston Street:

The following is a program stacking for 1000 Boylston Street:

Fit out underway for Tuscan Kitchen’s new Seaport District location at The Benjamin & VIA

Premier Italian restaurant and food retailer Tuscan Kitchen & Market has commenced interior fit out work for its’ upcoming Seaport District location, which will open Fall 2017 at The Benjamin & VIA. The 2-story, 14,500 square foot space, which will be located at VIA’s base with a private entrance on Seaport Boulevard, will feature seating for 300 people as well as a full wine bar with over 6,000 exquisite wines. Tuscan’s new location will be enclosed with glass and will feature sweeping skyline views. “We’re very excited about [our new location] and thrilled to be collaborating with one of the coolest developments in Boston,” said Tuscan owner Joe Faro in an interview with Bostinno. “[The Benjamin & VIA] has the right setup with the right tenants and the right mixture of uses, and it’s something the [Seaport District] doesn’t have yet.” The following are exterior and interior renderings of Tuscan Kitchen’s upcoming Seaport District location:

150 Seaport luxury condominium development receives City zoning approval, could break ground this Fall

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA)'s Zoning Commission approved the 124-residence 150 Seaport luxury condominium development in the Seaport District last Wednesday, the final official approval required to start construction. Developer The Cronin Group hopes to start construction of the project, which will overlook Boston Harbor, this Fall. The zoning approval follows a lawsuit filed last month by the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) against the State of Massachusetts, who approved the project last December, and developer The Cronin Group on the grounds of restricting public access to the waterfront. 150 Seaport will include onsite public amenities including a Harborwalk extension and upgrades to Seaport Wharf, an adjacent water taxi and ferry terminal.

Elevator core nears full height at Emmanuel College’s New Julie Hall in Fenway

Concrete pouring to construct New Julie Hall's elevator core has reached the 19-story building's future 14th floor, and first floor formwork is being assembled to commence superstructure construction. When complete, New Julie Hall will house nearly 700 Emmanuel College students, enabling 84% of the student population to live on campus. The following are photographs of New Julie Hall:

Facade nearing completion at 50 Liberty luxury condominiums in Seaport District

Marble exterior finish panels and floor-to-ceiling windows have been installed along a large section of 50 Liberty's 14-story facade, ranging from 6 stories high facing Boston Harbor to 8 stories high along Liberty Drive. Opening in Fall 2017, 50 Liberty will feature 120 luxurious waterfront condominium residences with 30,000 square feet of civic, cultural and retail space. The following are photographs of 50 Liberty:

MIT starts work on Kendall Square Initiative mixed-use development

Demolition is underway at the “SoMa” (South of Main Street) section of MIT’s six-building Kendall Square Initiative development in the heart of Kendall Square. Existing low-rise buildings are being cleared, and site work has begun to make way for MIT’s mixed-use expansion, which will include educational, office, residential and retail uses. In total, the Kendall Square Initiative will construct nearly 1.7 million square feet of new building space. The following are photographs of work underway on the MIT Kendall Square Initiative:

Façade complete at 100 Binney Class A offices in Kendall Square

Façade installation along all sides of 100 Binney’s 10-story facade is essentially complete, as the signature curved curtain wall has reached its’ final height. The construction crew is now focused on completing interior fit-out for upcoming tenants, who will include global biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb, and installing the building’s ground-floor glass storefronts and lobby entry canopy. Final enclosure panels are also being installed along 100 Binney’s rooftop dunnage steel to screen the building’s large rooftop mechanical units. Scheduled for completion this Fall, 100 Binney will bring over 431,500 square feet of Class A office and lab space to Kendall Square’s booming Binney Street corridor. The following are photographs of 100 Binney:

AC Hotel South End tops off, weatherproofing underway

AC Hotel South End’s 6-story frame has topped off, and weatherproofing is underway along the facade. The building's first windows have been installed along Albany Street. Opening later this year at the Ink Block, AC Hotel South End will feature 200 hotel rooms, a bar and lounge area, a fitness center, an indoor pool and conference rooms. The following are photographs of AC Hotel South End:

Vertical steel construction starts at Siena at Ink Block condominiums

The first vertical steel columns have been erected to construct Siena at Ink Block's structural frame, bringing the future 8-story South End luxury condominium building above ground level. Frame construction is now underway in earnest. Siena is scheduled to open in 2018 and will feature 76 luxury condominium residences now on sale. The following is a photograph of frame construction underway at Siena:

First steel columns being erected at Siena, Next Condo at Ink Block! @InkBlockBoston @sienainkblock @nationaldevelop pic.twitter.com/AhrHKwk5jS

— Ted Tye (@tyeguy44) February 8, 2017

610 Main Street North, new Kendall Square laboratory building, now open

Construction of 610 Main Street North, a new 280,000 square foot Kendall Square laboratory building with ground-floor retail, is complete and occupied by lead tenant Pfizer. On 610 Main Street North's ground floor, interior fit out is well underway for Sulmona, a new Italian restaurant and café, to open this Spring. The following are photographs of 610 Main Street North:

John Hancock takes major equity stake in The Residences at Boston Landing

John Hancock Financial has taken a major equity stake in the under-construction Residences at Boston Landing residential and retail development in Brighton. John Hancock joins New Balance and The HYM Investment Group in developing the 17-story building, which will feature 295 residential apartments and 16,400 square feet of retail. Terms of John Hancock's deal with New Balance and HYM were not disclosed. The Residences at Boston Landing is scheduled to open in June 2018.

The Benjamin & VIA near full exterior completion and summer opening

The Benjamin’s exterior façade is fully installed, and exterior finishes are installed along almost the entire façade of VIA. Residential and retail interior fit out is well underway at both Seaport District buildings, which together are Boston’s largest mixed-use project in over 30 years. A number of residential units at The Benjamin are plastered, and interior framing is well underway at VIA. The Benjamin is expected to open in early summer, with VIA to follow later this summer. Both buildings will encompass 1.5 million square feet of space across three acres, featuring a total of 832 modern apartment homes and 250,000 square feet of exclusive retail. The following are photographs of The Benjamin & VIA:

50 Liberty waterfront condominium exterior finish installation underway

Marble exterior finish panels and floor-to-ceiling windows are now being installed along the first floors of the Seaport District's new 14-story 50 Liberty waterfront luxury condominium and retail building. The building's mechanical penthouse has been constructed and now houses HVAC units. Concrete has been poured to construct 50 Liberty's interior floors. Opening in Fall 2017, 50 Liberty will feature 120 luxurious waterfront condominium residences with 30,000 square feet of civic, cultural and retail space. The following are photographs of 50 Liberty:

Pier 4 office building core nears topping off

The elevator core of the 13-story, 373,000 square foot Pier 4 office building has reached nine full stories in height and will top off imminently. Steel construction has begun at the office building's base and is pushing upwards towards the building's full height of 13 stories. Preparations are also underway to construct the foundation of the future nine-story, 100-residence Pier 4 condominium building facing the Atlantic Ocean. The following are photographs of Pier 4:

Steel frame rising at The Residences at Boston Landing

The Residences at Boston Landing's 17-story steel frame is rapidly rising and has reached 4 stories in height. The building's concrete elevator core has topped off, and foundation work is complete. The Residences at Boston Landing will feature 295 apartments with 16,000 square feet of retail space located across from New Balance's new headquarters and the new Boston Landing commuter rail station. The following are photographs of The Residences at Boston Landing:

MIT agrees to develop Volpe Center Parcel in Kendall Square

MIT signed an exchange agreement with the United States General Services Administration (GSA) on Wednesday (January 18th, 2017) to own and develop the 14-acre Volpe Center parcel in the heart of Kendall Square. MIT will ultimately own a 10-acre section of the parcel. MIT will first develop a new building for the GSA on a 4-acre section of the parcel, which the GSA will own. The GSA selected MIT as the parcel’s developer in November 2016. “When this parcel became available, it felt obvious to us that we should pursue this unique opportunity to work with the City and our Cambridge neighbors to help shape the future of the Kendall Square neighborhood, so that it would serve both MIT and the broader community,” said MIT President L. Rafael Reif in an official statement Wednesday. “It is now clear that our future success depends on making sure that Kendall succeeds as a place – a place where people want to live, work and play, and a place that makes our city stronger, too.”

AC Hotel South End nears topping off

The six-story, 200-room AC Hotel South End’s superstructure has reached five stories high and will soon top off. Four stories of wood framing have been constructed above the building’s steel-framed podium. Carpenters are hard at work finishing installation of the wood framing’s prefabricated stud walls and flooring. A brick finish section has been installed at AC Hotel South End’s base. AC Hotel South End is scheduled for a late 2017 opening. The following are photographs of AC Hotel South End:

50 Liberty condos hit market, new details and renderings revealed

The Fallon Company has listed several waterfront luxury condominiums at 50 Liberty in the Seaport District for sale. Condominiums listed range from a 1,297 square foot one-bedroom/two-bathroom unit with one garage parking space offered for $1,848,995 to a 3,573 square foot three-bedroom/three-bathroom penthouse unit with two garage parking spaces offered for $9,100,225. The latest details and renderings of 50 Liberty can be found above.

Reebok moving headquarters to Innovation & Design Building in Seaport District

Athletic apparel and shoe company Reebok has announced it will move its’ headquarters from Canton, MA to the Innovation & Design Building in the Seaport District. Reebok will move to the Innovation & Design Building by Fall 2017 and will occupy 220,000 square feet across five floors. Approximately 700 people will be employed at Reebok’s new headquarters. The space will also include a two-story, 30,000 square foot gym, a design lab, a restaurant and an 8,000 square foot Reebok FitHub retail store. Reebok intends to construct a public one-mile running track around the Innovation & Design Building.

Reebok is excited to become a part of Boston’s growing innovative community. “Our new workspace will improve our performance, speed innovation and create a vibrant collaborative culture,” says Reebok president Matt O’Toole. “It will allow us to be closely connected to the broader innovation and design community in Boston, and not in a traditional cloistered corporate environment, which can inhibit creativity. We’re creating the workplace of the future.” The following are renderings of Reebok’s new headquarters:

J. Derenzo Companies breaks ground on first-ever UMass Boston student housing

A groundbreaking ceremony was held last Thursday (December 1st, 2016) for UMass Boston’s first-ever on-campus student housing facility, which will open in Fall 2018. The J. Derenzo Companies team is hard at work performing initial site work to prepare for pre-cast structural pile driving. Following pile driving, the residence hall’s pre-cast concrete foundation will be constructed. The following are photographs of the UMass Boston residence hall site:

100 Binney facade nearing completion

100 Binney’s signature curved glass curtain wall along Binney Street is nearing completion, with glass installed over halfway to the top of the upcoming Kendall Square Class A lab and office building. Along Linskey Way, all precast brick panels and nearly all windows have been installed. All concrete floor slabs have been poured, and all steel framing is fireproofed. The 100 Binney construction team is now shifting from structural work to interior fit out. Scheduled for completion in Fall 2017, 100 Binney will bring over 431,500 rentable square feet (RSF) of Class A lab and office space to Kendall Square’s booming Binney Street corridor. The following are photographs of 100 Binney:

Dutch boutique hotel chain subleases upcoming Hub on Causeway hotel

Dutch boutique hotel chain citizenM has subleased the upcoming 10-story, 260-room hotel at The Hub on Causeway, a 1.87 million square foot mixed-use development under construction in Bulfinch Triangle adjacent to TD Garden. citizenM’s 99-year lease commenced Monday (November 28th, 2016). citizenM operates nine hotels worldwide in Europe and New York City featuring trendy, stylish rooms and common spaces. Key amenities at citizenM hotels include free Wi-Fi throughout, designer furniture and ultra-comfortable beds. The future Boston citizenM hotel at The Hub on Causeway is shown at left in the following rendering:

The following is citizenM’s lease for the Hub on Causeway hotel:

50 Liberty tops off

A topping-off ceremony was held Tuesday (November 29th, 2016) afternoon for 50 Liberty, a new 14-story mixed-use building opening Fall 2017 on the Seaport District waterfront. During the ceremony, the final steel beam of 50 Liberty’s structural frame was lifted to the frame’s top and installed in place. Work is now underway on exterior and interior finishing of 50 Liberty. Concrete floor slabs have been poured on over half of 50 Liberty’s floors. The following are photographs from 50 Liberty's topping-off:

#Local7 topping off 50 Liberty at #FanPier this afternoon. One of #Boston's newest #Seaport District buildings coming in 2017. #103Pride pic.twitter.com/ZEOZef71bM

— Local 103 IBEW (@IBEW103) November 29, 2016

New The Benjamin & VIA details and renderings revealed

The Benjamin & VIA co-developer Berkshire Group has revealed new project details and renderings. Spanning 1.5 million square feet across three acres, The Benjamin & VIA is Boston’s largest mixed-use project in over 30 years. The latest project information can be found above.

The Benjamin is fully glassed in, and exterior finishes have been just about fully installed. Interior finishing of The Benjamin’s apartments is well underway, with framing of interior spaces complete. Exterior finishes have been installed along a large section of VIA’s facade, and interior space framing is underway. The following are photographs of The Benjamin & VIA:

LStar cuts ribbon on new Parkway at Union Point

LStar Communities held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Wednesday (November 23rd, 2016) for the new $6.7 million Patriot Parkway at Union Point in South Weymouth. The completion of the Parkway frees hundreds of acres of land at Union Point up for development. The completed Parkway, financed by MassDOT, cuts through the 1,500 acre Union Point site, linking Routes 3 and 18 as well as the South Weymouth commuter rail station and the future Union Point town center district. Town Center Apartments, a new mixed-use development with 265 apartments and 14,000 square feet of retail, is already under construction at the end of the Parkway steps to the commuter rail station.

Union Point residents were delighted to welcome the new Parkway and enthusiastically honked their car horns as they drove along the road for the first time. The following are photographs from the ribbon cutting ceremony:

Two premium dining establishments open at The District Burlington

Premium dining establishments Pressed Cafe and Island Creek Oyster Bar are now open at The District Burlington, a 1.3 million square foot office and retail development that is redefining the suburban mixed-use experience. The District Burlington is oriented around a walkable streetscape with outdoor seating and other amenities. The surrounding relaxing suburban environment and exciting dining options make The District Burlington a great place to work and spend a night out. With the addition of Pressed Cafe and Island Creek Oyster Bar, there are now a total of 2,000 restaurant seats at The District Burlington, or two seats for every three District Burlington office workers! Additional dining destinations, as well as a 170-room Marriott Residence Inn hotel, are planned for The District Burlington in 2017.

The Pressed Cafe and Island Creek Oyster Bar teams are excited to become a part of The District Burlington. “We’re delighted to open our second location at The District Burlington, where we’re joining a thriving restaurant community,” says Shore Gregory of Island Creek Oyster Bar. “Chef Jeremy Sewall’s lunch and dinner menu will highlight the incredible farmers and fisherman that we work with, while Jackson Cannon’s beverage program will be a draw for the after-work crowd.” Island Creek Oyster Bar at The District Burlington includes bar and table seating as well as private dining options. “At The District Burlington we have the opportunity to expand our reach within a new, food-oriented community,” says Roi Shpindler, owner of Pressed Café. “Our second location will foster connection and collaboration over fresh, clean food and local, micro-roasted coffee.” Pressed Cafe at The District Burlington features 150 flexible seats designed for gathering, working and playing.

The following are photographs of Island Creek Oyster Bar:

The following are photographs of Pressed Cafe:

The following are streetscape photographs of The District Burlington:

50 Liberty about to top off

50 Liberty, a 120-unit luxury condominium building located in the Seaport District overlooking Boston Harbor, is about to top off at 14 stories tall. Concrete has been poured on about half of of the building’s floors. At 50 Liberty’s base, finish installation systems are being installed in order to commence installation of exterior finish panels and windows. Pre-sales of 50 Liberty luxury condominiums will commence shortly. The following are photographs of 50 Liberty:

The Circle residential podium erected, hotel foundation construction underway

The first-story podium of the six-story Waterstone adult residential building at The Circle, a 213,000 square foot mixed-use development in Cleveland Circle, has been erected. Wood framing of five floors above the podium's concrete base will now commence. Both elevator cores of Waterstone at The Circle have topped off at six stories tall.

Construction of the AC Hotel at The Circle's foundation is underway. J. Derenzo Companies is at work excavating the foundation, and large sections of concrete have been poured. Steel erection to construct AC Hotel's five-story structural frame is anticipated in early December. Completion of underground utility construction at The Circle is also anticipated in early December. Completion of both buildings at The Circle is anticipated in Fall 2017. The following are photographs of The Circle:

Sepia at Ink Block attains LEED Gold sustainability certification

National Development's Sepia at Ink Block luxury condominium building, which opened in Fall 2015, has attained a prestigious LEED Gold sustainability certification. Sepia achieved LEED Gold based on the building's innovative energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly design. Sepia's efficient use of environmental resources will improve the surrounding environment and result in lower utility bills for residents:

We are officially LEED GOLD certified! #SepiaBoston residents will be paying less money in utility bills than uncertified buildings. #sustainabledevelopment #energyefficient #leedgold #lessgreenhousegases #bostonrealestate #southendboston #southendrealestate #tw

A photo posted by Sepia @ InkBlock Boston (@sepiainkblock) on Nov 15, 2016 at 11:31am PST

New 171 Tremont luxury condominium renderings revealed

New renderings have been released of the 12 luxurious condominiums at 171 Tremont Street, an upcoming $55 million 13-story building in Downtown Crossing. The new renderings show 171 Tremont Street’s future sweeping views and ultra-high quality finishes. 171 Tremont Street was approved by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) last month. New renderings of 171 Tremont Street can be found above.

Derenzo completes Brookline Place demolition, site work underway

J. Derenzo Companies has fully demolished the former storefront block at Brookline Place and is now performing site work to construct a temporary surface parking lot. The temporary lot will provide parking for the existing One Brookline Place building, which will be retained, while the existing Brookline Place parking garage is demolished and a new garage is built in its’ place as part of the Brookline Place Redevelopment project. Following construction of the new garage, a new eight-story building and a new addition to One Brookline Place will be constructed. The following are photographs of the Brookline Place site:

Meriel Marina Bay reaches full height

Meriel Marina Bay’s Building Two has reached six stories tall, the building’s full height. The frames of both buildings at Meriel Marina Bay are now being prepared for installation of exterior finishes. Windows have been installed along large sections of both buildings. Meriel Marina Bay will open in Spring 2017 and will feature 352 luxurious residential apartments overlooking Boston Harbor with sweeping views of the Boston skyline.

Geotechnical design/build contractor Helical Drilling prepared the Meriel Marina Bay construction site, which overlooks scenic waterfront Squantum Point Park, for development of the two new Meriel Marina Bay buildings. The existing urban fill on which the Park and its’ surroundings are built was deemed unsuitable for traditional foundation support methods such as over-excavate/replace and deep pile foundations. Accordingly, Helical Drilling installed several hundred Geopeir grouted rammed aggregate pier elements in the Meriel Marina Bay site’s soil. These elements extend 9 to 16 feet below grade and support the footings of Meriel Marina Bay. The following are photographs of Meriel Marina Bay, courtesy the development team on Twitter:

We're making great #progress on our new #quincy #apartments! You're gonna like what you see. #citylife #boston #construction pic.twitter.com/pt4T07wHY8

— Meriel Marina Bay (@MerielMarinaBay) November 1, 2016

Our #construction team is working hard day in and day out. We can't wait for you to see our #vision come to life! #quincy #cityliving #apts pic.twitter.com/NBjSVi7unm

— Meriel Marina Bay (@MerielMarinaBay) November 4, 2016

We have no words to describe the #sunsets we get to see at #MerielMarinaBay, so we'll let you see for yourself! pic.twitter.com/BLs5Y0EY69

— Meriel Marina Bay (@MerielMarinaBay) November 5, 2016

Siena at Ink Block frame construction scheduled for January 2017, building opening 2018

Structural steel erection to construct Siena at Ink Block's frame is scheduled for January 2017 per an Instagram update by the development team. Foundation installation is underway; excavation of Siena's underground parking garage is complete, and all piles have been driven. Siena is scheduled for a 2018 opening, and the building's 76 new luxury residential condominiums are now for sale. Condominiums listings at Siena at Ink Block include a studio for $688,600, a one-bedroom for $957,000 and three two-bedrooms ranging from $1.19 to $1.428 million. The following is the Instagram update:

We are one step closer to making this image a reality! Excavation for the underground parking garage had been completed. All piles have been driven and foundation installation is underway. Structural steel erection is scheduled to commence in January. Yahoo!! #sienainkblock #sienaboston #inkblockboston #sienaatinkblock #bostonconstruction #inkblockcondos #sienacondos #southendboston #southend #makingheadway

A photo posted by Siena @ Ink Block (@sienainkblock) on Nov 3, 2016 at 9:19am PDT

Island Creek Oyster Bar now open at The District Burlington

Island Creek Oyster Bar opens today (Thursday, November 3rd) evening at 5 PM at The District Burlington, a creative mixed-use development that embodies the future of suburban workspace. Island Creek Oyster Bar is the latest addition to The District Burlington’s growing retail offering. A number of exciting shops and restaurants are already open, and Pressed Cafe will open around November 15th. Visitors to The District Burlington are treated to a relaxing suburban environment with urban amenities and conveniences centered about a walkable street grid and natural beauty, making The District Burlington a unique, inspiring place to work or spend a night out. Learn more about The District Burlington’s exciting offerings above. The following are photographs of the new Island Creek Oyster Bar at The District Burlington, courtesy Michael Harlan Turkell:

Pier 4 office building tower crane installed

A tower crane has been installed at Pier 4, signaling the impending start of superstructure construction for the 13-story, 373,000 square foot Pier 4 office building. Construction of the building's concrete elevator core will commence imminently, followed by the building's steel frame. Vertical metal formwork has been installed alongside the crane to frame concrete pouring to construct the elevator core. Excavation of the Pier 4 office building's foundation is complete. The following are photographs of the Pier 4 site:

Boston Celtics and New Balance break ground on Boston Landing practice facility

The Boston Celtics and New Balance broke ground Monday (October 24th, 2016) on The Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters, the future official practice facility of the Boston Celtics. Named after the late Boston Celtics President and Coach Arnold “Red” Auerbach, The Auerbach Center will be located at Boston Landing in Brighton along the Massachusetts Turnpike facing approximately 130,000 daily commuters. The Auerbach Center will feature a new 70,000 square foot basketball practice facility that will be distinctively cantilevered out to the edge of the Turnpike 55 feet in the air. A forty foot glass wall along the Turnpike will enclose The Auerbach Center’s practice courts, giving passing commuters high visibility of official practice sessions and the team’s 17 NBA championship banners. “Boston Landing is truly becoming the gateway into the City of Boston from the west, while at the same time a unique culture of health, wellness, and movement with the addition of the Auerbach Center,” said Jim Halliday, Managing Director of NB Development Group, in an official release.

Three buildings proposed above Mass Pike in Back Bay

At a Citizens Advisory Committee meeting hosted by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) last night (October 25th, 2016), developers Samuels & Associates, Weiner Ventures and Prudential Financial presented their proposal to construct three new buildings above the Massachusetts Turnpike in the Back Bay. The buildings would be located at the intersection of Boylston Street and Massachusetts Avenue on MassDOT Air Rights Parcels 12 & 15. Additional information about the proposed buildings can be found above. The following is a link to the developers' presentation.

National Development cuts ribbon on new office space at The District Burlington

National Development held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Wednesday (October 19th, 2016) for Building 700, a newly expanded and improved office building at The District Burlington. The ribbon cutting coincided with Octoberfest, an annual after-work outdoor party for District Burlington tenants held on the Building 800 lawn with food, craft beer and a corn hole competition. Octoberfest attendees were delighted to visit Building 700’s newly opened roof deck, sit back in a comfortable chair and take in sweeping sunset views across the idyllic surrounding countryside. New improvements to Building 700 include a new lobby and a four-story, 80,000 square foot glass-curtained addition with floor-to-ceiling windows, an open floor plan and the aforementioned 4,000 square foot roof deck. The roof deck features outdoor seating, television screens, a fireplace, grilling stations and a bar.

The District Burlington’s exciting retail offerings will soon be joined by Island Creek Oyster Bar, opening around November 1st, and Pressed Cafe, opening around November 15th. Both retailers will offer outdoor seating, providing desirable urban conveniences in a peaceful suburban setting located a short drive from Downtown Boston. A Marriott Residence Inn hotel, which is about to top off at six stories tall, will further activate The District Burlington; the hotel is expected to open in 2017.

The District Burlington is a great place to work with refreshing surroundings and a plethora of engaging retail options. Office and retail spaces are currently available at The District Burlington ranging from 1,000 to 200,000 square feet, including at the new Building 700 addition. There is also opportunity to construct an approximately 180,000 square foot build-to-suit office building at The District Burlington. Visit DistrictBurlington.com for more information. The following are photographs of Building 700's facade:

The following are photographs of Building 700's interior:

The following are photographs of the new Building 700 roof deck:

The following are photographs of Building 700's entrance:

The following is a photograph from the Building 700 ribbon cutting:

The following are photographs from Octoberfest:

The following are photographs of The District Burlington's hotel and retail options:

New Ink Block video released

Union Point plans revealed at BLDUP, Inc.’s Developer’s Agenda

LStar Communities’ Managing Partner Kyle Corkum revealed the latest plans for Union Point, a a 1,500 acre mixed-use development located 12 miles from Boston, at BLDUP, Inc.’s inaugural Developer’s Agenda event last Thursday evening. Corkum, with help from John Tocci Jr., Director of Virtual Design and Construction at Tocci Building Companies, led Developer’s Agenda attendees on a 3D virtual tour of Union Point and revealed new project renderings, which can be found on the Union Point BLDUP page.

Corkum spoke of the “unprecedented opportunity to build something spectacular” at Union Point, namely a “new transit-oriented city.” The State of Massachusetts has invested $53 million into a new 2.5-mile parkway at Union Point that leads to a new MBTA Commuter Rail Station; the State also invested $23 million into the MBTA Station.

Corkum unveiled plans for a “tremendous concentration of restaurants in an urban environment” that will be centered around a new man-made lake. These restaurants will surround new professional athletic facilities, activating the restaurant district. At game times, streets will be closed off “like Yawkey Way” in Boston. According to Corkum, professional sports teams have already committed to playing at Union Point.

Ultimately, over 100 commercial buildings will be constructed at Union Point; Union Point will feature up to 4,000 homes and up to 6 million square feet of commercial. Construction recently began on Town Center Apartments, a mixed-use development at Union Point with 14,000 square feet of retail and 265 units of rental housing. Six major projects at Union Point are now underway; up to 20 major projects will be underway by Spring 2017.

BPDA approves 171 Tremont Street, 12 new Downtown Crossing luxury condos, for construction

At last night's board meeting, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) approved 171 Tremont Street for construction. Located in the heart of Downtown Crossing overlooking Boston Common, the $55 million 171 Tremont Street will be a new 13-story residential building containing 12 luxury condominiums. 171 Tremont does not require Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approval and can now proceed with construction.

New One Seaport Square video released

A new One Seaport Square video was released yesterday (October 20th, 2016) showing exclusive new perspectives of One Seaport Square, specifically views from the penthouse level of the upcoming Benjamin apartment tower. The Benjamin, facing Fort Point Channel, is expected to unveil in 2017 and will feature sweeping views of the Boston skyline and Boston Harbor. The following is the new video:

Continuum opens new global headquarters at Innovation and Design Building

Global innovation design firm Continuum, who assisted the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) with its' rebranding, announced Monday the completion of its’ new 50,000 square foot global headquarters located at the 1.4 million square foot Innovation and Design Building in Boston’s Seaport District. Continuum’s workspace, completed in June 2016, features a unique mix of open and informal spaces for interaction and collaboration and discrete private spaces for individual work and small group meetings. The workspace also features public spaces for visitor tours, large meetings and events.

Continuum’s new workspace is designed by Höweler + Yoon Architecture and built by Commodore Builders. “This dedicated project team collaborated seamlessly to deliver a unique and edgy workspace that fits our firm, how we work, and how we innovate with our clients,” said Carmencita Bua, Chief Operating Officer at Continuum. Continuum relocated 120 employees from West Newton to Boston’s booming Innovation District. “Our move back to Boston – and the Innovation and Design Building in particular – puts Continuum at the center of technology and design innovation, and allows us to recruit top talent in the City of Boston,” said Bua. The following are photographs of Continuum’s new workspace:

One Seaport Square nearly fully glassed in

The Benjamin at One Seaport Square is one story away from being fully glassed in. Plastering and interior finishing are well underway inside The Benjamin's future residences. Glass and exterior finish panels have been installed along nearly half of VIA’s facade, and concrete has been poured on nearly all of VIA’s floors. Both The Benjamin and VIA are anticipated to unveil in 2017. The following are photographs of One Seaport Square:

Pier 4 office building foundation excavated, concrete pouring underway

The foundation of the Pier 4 office building has been excavated, making way for a future two-level underground parking garage. A horizontal foundation support system has been installed to support the foundation throughout construction. Metal formwork is being installed at the foundation's base in preparation for concrete pouring. The 13-story Pier 4 office building will contain 353,000 square feet of office space with 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following is a photograph of the Pier 4 office building foundation:

50 Liberty nears topping off

50 Liberty’s 14-story steel structural frame has reached nine stories in height. Balconies for future condominiums have been installed along 50 Liberty’s facade. Concrete pouring is underway on 50 Liberty’s first and second stories. A construction elevator is being assembled along 50 Liberty’s frame; the elevator will be used to transport materials and finishes throughout construction. 50 Liberty will feature 120 luxurious waterfront residential condominiums with sweeping views of Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline. The following are photographs of 50 Liberty:

Suffolk Construction hosts Virtual Groundbreaking for headquarters expansion

Suffolk Construction hosted a Virtual Groundbreaking ceremony yesterday (September 29th, 2016) for the $22 million, 38,000 square foot expansion of the company's existing Roxbury headquarters. No real dirt was moved at the ceremony; instead, per a Boston Globe report, officials donned headsets and hoisted virtual dirt with a virtual shovel. A video simulation of Suffolk Construction's future headquarters was projected behind the officials; with each virtual shovel scoop, a new section of the headquarters was projected, from foundation to finishes, until the full building was virtually complete. The following is a link to the full simulation video; the following is a video by Shirley Leung of the virtual shovel scooping:

Experience the future of suburban workspace at The District Burlington

National Development has opened a new Experience Center at The District Burlington, giving potential tenants the opportunity to experience firsthand the property’s innovative workspace design. The Experience Center exhibits the future of suburban workspace. Furnishings are brightly, creatively designed and arranged in an interconnected, open layout that encourages collaboration and teamwork. No two parts of the Experience Center are alike, engaging visitors to delve into the space's diverse offerings. At the Experience Center’s center are a treadmill and core balance stools, encouraging corporate wellness. Sweeping, calming views of the surrounding greenery and nature trails abound.

Visit DistrictBurlington.com to schedule a tour of the Experience Center and for The District Burlington leasing information. Workspaces are currently available at The District Burlington ranging from 1,000 to 200,000 square feet, including the newly constructed 80,000 square foot, four-story glass-curtained Building 700 addition with floor-to-ceiling windows, an open floor plan and a private roof deck. There is also opportunity to construct an approximately 180,000 square foot build-to-suit office building at The District Burlington. The following are photographs of the Experience Center, courtesy National Development:

100 Binney, new Kendall Square lab and office space, tops off

A topping off ceremony was held for 100 Binney on Friday, September 16th, 2016 to celebrate the installation of the last steel beam of 100 Binney's 10-story structural frame. Concrete pouring is underway on levels one through five of 100 Binney. Orange vertical nets have been installed along the levels' exterior to contain debris from blowing to street level while concrete is poured.

Scheduled for substantial completion in October 2017, 100 Binney will be a 431,500 rentable square foot (RSF) Class A lab and office building in Kendall Square. The following is a photograph from the 100 Binney topping off ceremony, courtesy project engineer McNamara Salvia:

Superstructure rising at AC Hotel South End

AC Hotel South End's six-story structural frame is now rising above the hotel's completed foundation. Steel framing has risen one story above grade and will contain the future hotel's bar and lounge area, fitness center, indoor pool and conference rooms as well as part of the at-grade parking area. Opening late 2017, AC Hotel South End will be a 200-room AC Hotel by Marriott located in the South End adjacent to the Ink Block development. The following are photographs of AC Hotel South End:

A new suburban experience arises at The District Burlington

National Development has redefined the suburban experience with The District Burlington, a dramatic transformation of a 9-to-5 1970s office park into a dynamic, 24/7 walkable place. Finishing touches are now underway on a four-story, 80,000 square foot glass-curtained addition to the 11-story, 200,000 square foot Building 700, a landmark office tower positioned at the center of The District Burlington and prominently visible from nearby Route 128. Designed to encourage a healthy, collaborative working environment, the Building 700 addition features abundant natural lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows, an open, customizable floor plan and a private roof deck with sweeping views of The District Burlington's peaceful, green setting.

New retail spaces and a 170-room hotel are enlivening former surface parking lots at The District Burlington. Tavern in the Square, TD Bank and Tuscan Kitchen are now open, with Island Creek Oyster Bar and Pressed Cafe soon to follow. The hotel, a Marriott Residence Inn, is expected to open in 2017; wood framing of upper hotel floors is underway. A walkable street grid has been introduced with widened sidewalks, public plazas and a bike share program.

Visit DistrictBurlington.com for more information about office and retail leasing opportunities at The District Burlington. The following are photographs of The District Burlington:

Building 700

Hotel

Retail

New Pier 4 rendering video released

Tishman Speyer has released a new Pier 4 video showing the latest renderings of the future office and condominium buildings. A 13-story office building containing 353,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and a nine-story residential building containing 100 luxurious condominiums and 17,000 square feet of ground-floor retail are under construction at Pier 4. Premier management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) will be the office building's anchor tenant, occupying 202,000 square feet across seven floors. Visit Pier4Boston.com for information about buying and leasing space at Pier 4. Additional information about and renderings of Pier 4 can be found above. The following is the new Pier 4 video:

Siena at Ink Block underground parking excavation underway, condominiums for sale

Siena at Ink Block’s 31-space underground parking garage is just about fully excavated. A retaining wall consisting of H piles and wooden lagging has been installed along the garage’s perimeter to retain the future building’s foundation. A horizontal foundation support system consisting of large-diameter round steel beams has been installed across the garage to further reinforce the foundation. Concrete piles have been driven into the base of the garage to support the future building. Visit the construction site’s camera for real-time imagery of Siena at Ink Block as well as the neighboring AC Hotel South End project.

Siena at Ink Block, the next phase of National Development’s successful Ink Block development located in the South End’s New York Streets neighborhood, will be an eight-story building featuring 76 luxury condominium units. Visit SienaBoston.com for condominium sales information. A number of condominiums will be maisonettes opening directly onto street level, a first for the rapidly-developing neighborhood. Resident amenities will include a rooftop Sky Lounge with both indoor and outdoor spaces featuring sweeping skyline views. Other amenities will include a fitness center, 24/7 concierge service and convenient access to Ink Block’s multiple retail offerings including Whole Foods Market and the recently opened Bar Mezzana, Fuji at Ink Block and Sweetgreen restaurants. The following are photographs of Siena at Ink Block:

Proposed Downtown Crossing pencil tower shrinks to 13 stories

The Dabbah Family of Switzerland, developers of the proposed 171 Tremont Street pencil tower in Downtown Crossing, submitted a revised proposal to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) last Friday (September 9th, 2016) proposing a 13-story, 175 foot tall tower with 12 luxury residential condominium units; the following is a link to the revised proposal. The previous 171 Tremont proposal, submitted last May, proposed a 19-story, 235 foot tall tower with 18 condominiums. A previously proposed underground parking garage has been eliminated; instead, off site valet parking would be offered to building residents.

The Boston Globe reports that the project's cost is now pegged at about $55 million; the cost of the project as submitted last May was pegged at $70 million. The original 171 Tremont proposal, submitted in December 2014, proposed a 355-foot tall tower with 31 condominiums; the tower's height has since shrunk 180 feet. The currently proposed height of 175 feet conforms with existing area zoning regulations; if approved by the BRA, 171 Tremont will not require Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approval to proceed with construction.

AC Hotel South End concrete foundation pouring underway

Pile driving is complete at AC Hotel South End, and concrete is being poured to construct AC Hotel South End’s foundation. J. Derenzo Companies is performing foundation excavation. The hotel’s basement level has been built, and concrete foundation walls and footings are being constructed throughout the construction site. AC Hotel South End will be a 200-room AC Hotel by Marriott located in the South End adjacent to the Ink Block development. Guest amenities will include a bar and lounge area, a fitness center, an indoor pool and conference rooms. 63 surface parking spaces will be constructed adjacent to the hotel. The following are photographs of the AC Hotel South End site:

New details and renderings for proposed 29-story Fenway tower, construction could start mid-2017

Developer Trans National Properties today filed a Project Notification Form (PNF) with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) to construct 2 Charlesgate West, a 29-story, 340 foot tall mixed-use tower in the Fenway neighborhood that would include approximately 295 residential units, 10,000 square feet of restaurant/retail space and 7,500 square feet of office space; the following is a link to the PNF. Trans National Properties anticipates to start construction of 2 Charlesgate West in the second quarter of 2017; construction would take approximately 24-30 months. Additional information about the 2 Charlesgate West proposal can be found above.

Meriel Marina Bay wood framing nearly complete, exterior finishing underway

The wood frame of Meriel Marina Bay's Building One, overlooking Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline, is complete. Windows and moisture-resistant sheathing are now being installed along Building One's exterior. Building Two's five-story frame is just about to top off; exterior finishing of Building Two will commence shortly afterwards. Opening Spring 2017, Meriel Marina Bay will feature 352 waterfront luxury rental residential apartments ranging from studios to three-bedrooms located on the Marina Bay boardwalk steps to beaches, ferry service to Downtown Boston and multiple waterfront dining and entertainment options. Visit MerielMarinaBay.com for apartment leasing information. As part of Meriel Marina Bay, the Marina Bay boardwalk will be extended along Boston Harbor; approximately 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail will be located at Meriel Marina Bay fronting the new boardwalk. The following are photographs of Meriel Marina Bay:

The following is a panoramic view of the Marina Bay boardwalk:

American Realty Advisors acquires University Station retail component for $206 million

Last Wednesday (August 17th, 2016), California-based real estate investment manager American Realty Advisors acquired the 400,000 square foot retail component of the two million square foot, 120-acre multi-phased University Station development in Westwood for $206 million as recorded in the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds. The retail component opened recently, in March 2015, and features leading tenants including Wegmans, Target, Lifetime Fitness, Nordstrom and Panera Bread. The following is a link to the official press release announcing American Realty Advisors' acquisition, and the following is the deed for the acquisition:

610 Main Street North nearly complete, landscaping and interior finishing underway

The seven-story exterior shell of 610 Main Street North, a 280,000 square foot, LEED Gold-certified multidisciplinary research facility located in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, is finished. Interior finishes are just about ready for Pfizer, 610 Main Street North's lead tenant, to move in. Landscaping has been installed along the new Watson Courtyard located between 610 Main Street North and South. Interior fit out of 610 Main Street North’s 10,000 square foot ground-floor retail space along Main Street is well underway. 610 Main Street North is the latest addition to the quickly growing Osborn Triangle district at MIT. The following are photographs of 610 Main Street North:

View from Portland Street

View from the corner of Portland Street and Main Street

View from Main Street

View from Main Street

Watson Courtyard

Finishing touches on the patio in the Watson Courtyard

Watson Courtyard

Watson Courtyard

Watson Courtyard

Finished lobby on Portland Street

Retail fit out under construction

Van Ness office space fully leased

The Boston Business Journal reports that the 237,000 square foot office component of Van Ness in the Fenway is fully leased with biotech company Decibel Theraputics' recent lease of 32,000 square feet. Decibel will reportedly move to Van Ness in early 2017. Other office tenants at Van Ness include health care risk manager CRICO, athletic wristband manufacturer Whoop and UnitedHealth Group data services arm Optum. Van Ness opened in summer 2015 and contains 172 residential units, 237,000 square feet of office space and 200,000 square feet of retail including a 170,000 square foot Target store.

Waterstone at The Circle foundation nearing completion, pre-leasing begins

Foundation work is nearing completion at Waterstone at The Circle, a 92-unit luxury adult apartment community under construction in Cleveland Circle. Waterstone at The Circle is the first component of The Circle, an approximately 213,000 square foot, $85 million development project partially located in Boston and Brookline. The Circle will entail the construction of the six-story Waterstone at The Circle as well as a five-story, 162-key AC Hotel by Marriott on the site of the former Circle Cinema and Applebee’s Restaurant. Approximately 6,000 square feet of retail fronting Chestnut Hill Avenue will be located across both buildings. A total of 188 parking spaces will be located on site, including 103 underground and 85 at grade. The following are renderings of The Circle:

View South along Chestnut Hill Avenue

View North along Chestnut Hill Avenue

The Circle open space

View of The Circle from Cassidy Playground

The Circle development team, a joint venture of National Development and Boston Development Group, secured over $80 million of project financing in March 2016 through Santander Bank; the exact financing figure is $80,084,251. Work on the AC Hotel will begin shortly, and completion of both buildings is expected by Fall 2017. Pre-leasing of apartments at Waterstone at The Circle has begun, visit ClevelandCircleDevelopment.com for more information.

J. Derenzo Companies has just about fully excavated the section of The Circle’s single-level, 103-space underground parking garage that will be located underneath Waterstone at The Circle. Part of the garage will also be located underneath the AC Hotel. Concrete has been poured along nearly all vertical sections of the Waterstone at The Circle garage, and the building’s seven-story elevator core has risen to the future ground floor. Pile driving is complete at Waterstone at The Circle, and concrete is being poured atop pile caps to create Waterstone at The Circle’s foundation. Excavation rigs and other construction vehicles and equipment are staged on the future site of the AC Hotel. The following are photographs of the Circle site:

View East of Waterstone at The Circle foundation

View West of Waterstone at The Circle foundation

View West of Waterstone at The Circle foundation

Concrete pouring underway along East Section of Waterstone at The Circle foundation

Concrete pouring underway along East Section of Waterstone at The Circle foundation

Concrete poured on pile cap

Concrete poured on pile cap

Top of driven pile (orange posts)

Top of driven pile (orange posts)

Elevator Core

J. Derenzo Companies excavator

J. Derenzo Companies excavator

AC Hotel site

150 Seaport, 124 new condominiums in the Seaport District, approved for construction

VIA at One Seaport Square tops off

A topping-off ceremony was held for VIA, the second building at One Seaport Square, on Wednesday, July 20th, 2016. The ceremony marked the installation of the last steel beam of the two-building, $650 million, 1,500,000 square foot One Seaport Square development project. The following are photographs of the topped-off 20-story VIA:

VIA's final steel beam

VIA's topped off frame

View of VIA's topped off frame along Seaport Boulevard

View of VIA's topped off frame from Fort Point Channel Harborwalk

The Benjamin, One Seaport Square’s first building, topped off on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016 at 22 stories tall. Together, the two buildings will contain 832 residential apartments and 250,000 square feet of retail located in the heart of Boston’s Seaport District. Retail options at One Seaport Square will include a Big Night Entertainment bar and nightclub, an Equinox Fitness gym, a Kings Bowl bowling alley, a ShowPlace ICON movie theater and a Tuscan Kitchen & Market neighborhood restaurant and market. Courthouse Square, a 17,000 square foot retail-lined open pedestrian plaza, will be located in between the two towers. The following are renderings of One Seaport Square:

View of The Benjamin (foreground) and VIA (background) of One Seaport Square

View of One Seaport Square (at right) along Seaport Boulevard towards Downtown Boston

Visit TheBenjaminSeaport.com and VIAseaport.com for more information about residential leasing at One Seaport Square; both buildings are anticipated to unveil in 2017. One Seaport Square residents will enjoy sweeping views of the Boston skyline and Boston Harbor. The following are photographs of views from the top of The Benjamin:

View of Downtown Boston

View of Downtown Boston

View of Boston Harbor

Concrete pouring is complete on each floor of The Benjamin and nearly every floor of VIA. Glass installation has almost reached the top floor of The Benjamin and is underway on the ground floor of VIA. Both buildings’ facades will be nearly fully comprised of glass. Balconies have been installed along The Benjamin’s facade, and installation of balconies is underway along VIA’s. The following are photographs of The Benjamin and VIA:

View of The Benjamin (foreground) and VIA (background) from Fort Point Channel Harborwalk

View of The Benjamin from Congress Street Bridge

View of VIA from top of The Benjamin

View of VIA from Seaport Boulevard; note glass installation underway at base

The following are photographs of The Benjamin's nearly-complete glass facade:

The Benjamin's glass facade from Northern Avenue

The Benjamin's glass facade from Northern Avenue

The Benjamin's glass facade from Seaport Boulevard

The Benjamin's glass facade from Sleeper Street

The Benjamin's glass facade from Sleeper Street

The Benjamin's glass facade from Sleeper Street

The following are photographs of Courthouse Square:

View of Courthouse Square towards Fort Point

View of Courthouse Square towards Boston Harbor

The following are street-level photographs of One Seaport Square:

View along Seaport Boulevard

View from Seaport Boulevard

View along Northern Avenue

View along Northern Avenue

100 Binney steel frame nearing top-off

100 Binney’s structural steel frame has risen eight stories and will soon top off at 10 stories tall. 100 Binney will contain a total of 431,500 rentable square feet (RSF) of Class A lab and office space targeting a minimum of LEED Platinum sustainability certification. A stunning glass facade with landscaped balconies with allow for abundant natural lighting. The building’s dual core, 40,000 RSF floor plates will provide flexible workspace design capability. Global biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb has leased 208,000 square feet at 100 Binney through at least 2030. Developer Alexandria Real Estate Equities has committed $175.1 million in equity towards 100 Binney and secured $310 million in construction financing for the project in April 2016 through Bank of China; financing was arranged by CBRE. 100 Binney will cost a total of approximately $485 million to develop.

The 100 Binney construction team is at work placing steel truss elements into the building’s structural steel frame and fastening the truss elements into the frame with tension assemblies. Two tower cranes are being used to construct 100 Binney’s frame. Pouring of concrete floors has commenced on 100 Binney’s first story. Orange vertical nets have been installed on the second and third stories to prepare for concrete pouring; the nets will contain debris from blowing to street level. The building foundation’s horizontal foundation support system, which will soon be dismantled, is visible through 100 Binney’s future underground parking garage ramp on Linskey Way. The following are photographs of 100 Binney:

View North along Binney Street

View South along Binney Street; note orange vertical nets

View South along Linskey Way; note orange vertical nets

View North along Linskey Way

Tower crane and structural steel frame

Steel truss elements staged for installation

Tension assemblies staged for installation

View of horizontal foundation support system through future underground parking garage ramp on Linskey Way

Freshly poured concrete on 100 Binney’s first story

Freshly poured concrete on 100 Binney’s first story

View of 100 Binney’s first story from Linskey Way; note steel forms for first story concrete pouring

View 100 Binney’s first story from Binney Street

More information about 100 Binney Street is posted below.

Northeastern University Columbus Avenue Student Housing Project approved for construction

The Boston Redevelopment Authority approved Northeastern University's Columbus Avenue Student Housing Project for construction at last Thursday’s board meeting. Developed by Northeastern University and American Campus Communities, the $160 million project will construct a 21-story tower containing 221 student housing units with a total of 812 beds, in addition to approximately 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Construction could start this year; John Moriarty & Associates is the project's construction manager.

The following is the link to the Draft Project Impact Report (DPIR) for the Columbus Avenue Student Housing Project. More information about the project is posted below.

Meriel Marina Bay on Quincy waterfront tops off

A topping-off ceremony was held for Meriel Marina Bay on June 28th, 2016. The following is a link to the official press release announcing the topping-off. During the ceremony, Meriel Marina Bay's last beam of steel was lifted into place and installed, completing Building Two's structural steel frame. 163 wood-framed residential apartments will now be constructed above Building Two's steel frame. Wood framing is underway on Building One, which will contain 189 apartments.

Located in Quincy's waterfront Marina Bay neighborhood with sweeping views of Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline, Meriel Marina Bay will feature 352 luxury apartments across two new buildings. Resident amenities will include a fitness center, three elevated courtyards and a swimming pool in addition to sweeping ocean and skyline views. The project will also include a public waterfront boardwalk extension and approximately 20,000 square feet of retail.

Initial occupancy of Meriel Marina Bay is expected in Spring 2017. Bozzuto will be Meriel Marina Bay's property manager. The following are links to pre-leasing information and to the Meriel Marina Bay website.

The following are photographs from the Meriel Marina Bay topping-off ceremony, courtesy Nickerson PR:

The final beam is lifted into place

The final beam is installed

A worker signs the final beam

A worker signs the final beam

Wood framing of units underway at Building One

The following is a rendering of Meriel Marina Bay, courtesy Elkus Manfredi Architects:

The following are aerial photographs of the Meriel Marina Bay project site taken in early June, courtesy Nickerson PR:

Aerial view of Building One

Aerial view of Building One (background) and Building Two (foreground)

Pile driving underway at AC Hotel South End

Pile driving rig

Precast concrete piles ready for driving

Partially driven piles

View of AC Hotel South End site looking towards Troy Boston

Pile driving rig (at left) with partially driven piles (at right)

Partially driven piles

Partially driven piles

Tips of shortened piles; piles at AC Hotel South End will average 100 feet long

More information about AC Hotel South End is posted below.

J. Derenzo Companies completes demolition, starts excavation at AC Hotel South End

J. Derenzo Companies’ JDC Demolition has fully demolished two former structures at the AC Hotel South End site, and demolition debris has been fully cleared. Work has begun on AC Hotel South End’s foundation; J. Derenzo Companies has started initial excavation and pre-trenching to prepare the site for pile driving.

View of AC Hotel South End site looking towards Downtown Boston

View of AC Hotel South End site looking towards Troy Boston

Backhoe (at left) and excavator (at right) used for initial excavation and pre-trenching

New Balance Headquarters earns LEED Platinum resource efficiency certification

New Balance's new headquarters facility at Boston Landing, completed in 2015, has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum resource efficiency certification. This is the highest attainable efficiency honor awarded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). New Balance's facility is the first in the United States and one of only three worldwide to earn all possible points for Indoor Environmental Quality under the USGBC's rating system.

Source: Commercial Property Executive

Suffolk Construction Roxbury headquarters expansion approved for construction

The Boston Redevelopment Authority approved the expansion of Suffolk Construction's Roxbury headquarters for construction at this month's board meeting. The 38,000 square foot expansion will provide new space for Suffolk Construction to expand its workforce. Four existing vacant buildings will be demolished to construct the expansion.

A rendering of the Suffolk Construction Expansion project is posted above. The following is a link to the Small Project Review Application for the Suffolk Construction Expansion project. More information about the Suffolk Construction Expansion project is posted below.

New Boston Celtics practice facility at Boston Landing moves forward

The Boston Redevelopment Authority approved 40 Guest Street, a new mixed-use building at Boston Landing, for construction at this month’s board meeting. Construction of the building is expected to commence in fall 2016.

The new six-story building will contain office and retail space as well as the new practice facility of the Boston Celtics basketball team. 40 Guest Street is the next phase of the Boston Landing development project. The following is a link to the Development Plan for 40 Guest Street.

171 Tremont Street development team submits modified proposal

The 171 Tremont Street development team has submitted a Draft Project Impact Report to the Boston Redevelopment Authority with a modified proposal for the project. The height of the proposed building has been reduced to 212 feet from 237 feet and to 19 floors from 20 floors. The total number of residential units proposed at 171 Tremont Street has been reduced to 18 from 19, with one residential unit on each floor. Total proposed parking spaces have been reduced to 21 from 28. Valet parking would be operated in place of previously proposed mechanical parking systems. The following is a link to the Draft Project Impact Report for 171 Tremont Street; the following is a project rendering:

Letter of Intent filed to construct a 28-story tower at 2 Charlesgate West in the Fenway

A Letter of Intent has been filed by Trans National Properties with the Boston Redevelopment Authority to construct a 28-story, 340 foot tall tower at 2 Charlesgate West in the Fenway; the following is a link to the Letter of Intent. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, the approximately 395,000 square foot tower would contain up to 325 residential units with a mix of rental and ownership units.

The tower would also contain approximately 10,000 square feet of retail and up to 6,000 square feet of office space. The Boston Herald reports that retail at the tower would include a restaurant serving produce and cider made at Natick, MA's Lookout Farm, which is owned by Trans National Properties founder Steven Belkin, and a deli. Office space at the tower would be occupied by Trans National Properties.

In accordance with the City of Boston's Inclusionary Development Policy, Trans National Properties would construct 45 to 50 designated affordable housing units. A least 50% of these units would be included within the tower; the remaining units would be built off site in collaboration with the Fenway Community Development Corporation and Fenway Studios.

The Boston Globe reports that Trans National Properties expects to file more detailed plans for the tower this summer. Trans National Properties hopes to start construction of the tower in spring 2017 and open the tower in 2020. An existing office building at 2 Charlesgate West, which houses Trans National Properties' headquarters, would be demolished to make way for the tower.

The following are new renderings of the proposed tower at 2 Charlesgate West:

View of proposed tower from Emerald Necklace

View of proposed tower frontage along Ipswich Street

J. Derenzo Companies demolishes last section of Circle Cinema

A new 300-unit residential tower could be built in Fenway

Trans National Properties' latest proposal submission for the Winthrop Square Garage redevelopment offers a glimpse at a potential future redevelopment project located in Boston's rapidly developing Fenway neighborhood next to The Boston Conservatory. Per the submission, Trans National Group is planning a 300 plus unit residential tower at 2 Charlesgate West.

Description of planned tower in Winthrop Square proposal

Trans National Group owns the buildings at both 2 and 6 Charlesgate West as well as the adjacent 1161 Boylston Street and a fourth vacant parcel. The four parcels total 20,325 square feet. Trans National Group is headquartered at 2 Charlesgate West.

Map of four parcels owned by Trans National Properties

A letter of intent to construct the tower has not yet been submitted to the Boston Redevelopment Authority. This page will be updated with any additional details as they become available. The following is a rendering of 2 Charlesgate West:

J. Derenzo Companies demolishes former Circle Cinema building

J. Derenzo Companies' JDC Demolition division has just about fully demolished the former Circle Cinema building in Cleveland Circle:

The Applebee's restaurant building formerly located on site is completely demolished. All that remains of Circle Cinema is a single former screening room:

Circle Cinema contained seven screening rooms prior to demolition. Virtually the entire theater has been reduced to rubble:

The hollowed shell of Circle Cinema is visible from the neighboring ballpark:

Part of the former Circle Cinema parking area remains underneath the remaining screening room:

The Circle Cinema site presents a unique transit-oriented location abutting an active rapid transit line and within walking distance to multiple public transportation options:

A new hotel building and senior housing building will be built on the Circle Cinema site. Anticipated project completion is in 2017. More information about the Circle Cinema Redevelopment project is posted below.

Pier 4 restaurant building demolition starts

Demolition of the original Anthony’s Pier Four restaurant building commenced Tuesday. A new waterfront park will be constructed at the building’s former location. The following are photographs of the demolition taken Thursday:

The following are photographs of the demolition taken Tuesday:

The slurry wall foundation for the two new Pier Four buildings is currently being excavated:

Reinforcement cages are being lowered into the excavated slurry wall trenches. Concrete will soon be poured into the reinforcement cages to complete the slurry wall foundation:

New Pier Four renderings, Anthony's restaurant demolition next week

An Expanded Project Notification Form (EPNF) has been submitted for the proposed 22-story waterfront tower at 150 Seaport Boulevard in Boston's Seaport District. The EPNF offers a glimpse at a number of new renderings:

Proposed square footage at 150 Seaport has increased slightly, from 275,000 square feet to 283,700. 124 residential condominium units are now proposed, up from 110. Resident amenities would include a fitness spa and a library. 

A total of 273,000 square feet of residential space are proposed at 150 Seaport; on the ground and second floors would be 10,700 square feet of retail and restaurant space. An underground parking garage would be built with 179 spaces.

John Moriarty and Associates, who is also building nearby One Seaport Square, is 150 Seaport's construction manager. Construction is anticipated to commence on 150 Seaport in the second quarter of 2017.

The following is a link to the new Expanded Project Notification Form (EPNF) for 150 Seaport. Additional project information is posted below.

The Benjamin at One Seaport Square tops off

The Benjamin apartment tower at One Seaport Square topped off last week on Wednesday, March 23rd. A ceremony was held Wednesday in which the frame’s final beam, adorned with a pine tree, was lifted to the very top of the 22-story building:

Glass is being installed along The Benjamin’s facade fronting Northern Avenue. Glass installation has reached the building’s fourth story:

Accordingly, fireproofing and moisture/mold-resistant sheathing are actively being installed along The Benjamin’s lower floors:

Installation of balconies along The Benjamin’s facade has progressed significantly. Residents will enjoy sweeping views of the Boston skyline and Boston Harbor:

Per a recent update by John Hynes, Boston Global Investors' Managing Director, VIA, the second apartment tower at One Seaport Square, will top off within the next month:

The One Seaport Square project is on schedule for mid-2017 completion.

Updated photographs of One Seaport Square are posted above. More project information, including renderings, is posted below.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority approved 125 Guest Street for construction at last night's board meeting. The project will contain 295 residential units; 38 units will be designated affordable in compliance with the City of Boston’s Inclusionary Development Policy. Retail spaces will be located on 125 Guest Street's ground floor.

Per 125 Guest Street's expanded project notification form filed in December 2015, construction is expected to commence on 125 Guest Street in the fourth quarter of 2016 and last for approximately 24 months. 125 Guest Street will be a residential component of the Boston Landing mixed-use development in Allston/Brighton.

The District Burlington tops off

We had the honor and privilege of attending the topping off ceremony for the Building 7 addition at The District Burlington. Thanks again to National Development and the project team for hosting us! It was exciting to watch the final beam, featuring a distinctive paint job, rise above the project site and come into place on the addition’s fourth floor rooftop. The Building 7 addition topped off on Thursday, February 25th, 2016. The following are photographs from the ceremony:

The 54,000 square foot addition to Building 7 is being constructed in conjunction with a renovation of the existing structure to create a modern office tower well suited for 21st century innovation. Upon completion, Building 7 will feature naturally lit open workspace with a green roof deck. The Building 7 addition will feature a gleaming glass curtain overlooking lush landscaping and the overall District Burlington development area. A total of 80,000 square feet of new office space will be built at Building 7; the original Building 7 consists of approximately 200,000 square feet of office space.

A walkthrough of the Building 7 project site yielded distinctive features including a backup generator enclosure that will ensure the building is consistently powered:

Backup generator enclosure

The District Burlington development is easily accessible by car via Route 128 (America’s Technology Highway) and by public transportation via a shuttle to and from nearby train service.

Much progress has also been made at other parts of The District Burlington. Along District Avenue, Tavern in the Square has opened in a gleaming new retail space. Other retail spaces are nearing completion; these will feature desirable retailers including Island Creek Oyster Bar, Pressed Cafe and TD Bank. A new Residence Inn hotel has also begun construction; developed by Finard Properties, the hotel will feature 170 rooms with amenities including a business center, meeting space and a restaurant. (Note: The hotel site has been acquired by Finard Properties; the hotel's architect is Group One Partners, and the hotel's general contractor is Callahan Construction Managers.)

The District Burlington is redeveloping a 1970s office park into a walkable destination that will attract visitors both during and outside of work hours. New parking structures are under construction to accommodate what will undoubtedly be an influx of visitors to The District Burlington. The glass curtain of the Building 7 addition will be an inviting backdrop to a revitalized, walkable District Avenue.

New retail spaces nearing completion

Hotel project site

Demolition nearly complete at AC Hotel South End

J. Derenzo Companies' JDC Demolition has nearly fully demolished two low-rise buildings on the AC Hotel South End site. Construction of the future hotel's foundation will soon commence with initial excavation and pre-trenching to prepare the site for pile driving.

View of AC Hotel South End site looking towards Downtown Boston

Soon-to-be-demolished foundation of a former building

Demolition debris

Demolition debris

View of AC Hotel South End site from Ink Block

View of AC Hotel South End site from Ink Block

National Development has announced several exciting new retail options coming to Ink Block along Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End. Per a report by The Boston Globe’s Tim Logan, four new restaurants will soon open at Ink Block in the Phase One and Sepia buildings. These will include:

• A new cocktail bar developed by Ken Casey, guitarist of The Dropkick Murphys
• Bar Mezzana, a new Italian restaurant developed by alumni of local restaurant group Barbara Lynch Gruppo
• A location of local restaurant group JP Fuji, who is also opening a restaurant at under-construction West of Chestnut in Quincy Center
• A location of salad chain Sweetgreen, who recently opened a location in Fort Point next to soon-to-open Caffe Nero

This spring, the South End Open Market will move across Harrison Avenue from Ink Block. A Harrison Avenue redesign is also in the works with bike lanes, plantings, wider sidewalks and other improvements.

Ink Block site graphic via National Development

Siena, a 76-unit condominium building, and AC Hotel South End, a 200-room hotel, are currently under construction at Ink Block. This spring, construction will commence at 345 Harrison Avenue, located across Harrison Avenue from Ink Block. 345 Harrison Avenue, a mixed-use development by UDR, will contain approximately 577 residential units and 33,500 square feet of retail. Related Beal has also filed a Letter of Intent to construct a residential development at the former Quinzani's Bakery site located across Traveler Street from Ink Block.

Recently, the New York Streets Neighborhood Association was formed in the rapidly-developing neighborhood surrounding Ink Block. The Association’s mission is “to support and advocate for the interests and needs specific to the New York Streets in Boston's South End neighborhood.”

New York Streets Neighborhood Association locale

The following is a list of development projects in the New York Streets Neighborhood Association’s locale:

Under construction:

• 345 Harrison Avenue (UDR)
  
• AC Hotel South End (National Development)
  
• Siena (National Development)
  
• The Lucas (New Boston Ventures)
  

Approved:

• EB80 (The Druker Company)
  

Proposed:

• Nordblom Garage Redevelopment (Nordblom Company)
  
• Quinzani’s Bakery (Related Beal)

• Ink Block Phase One (National Development)
  
• Sepia (National Development)
• Troy Boston (Gerding Edlen)

More information on South End development projects is available on our South End development page.

Slurry wall foundation construction is beginning at Pier Four Phases Two and Three. Preparation for demolition of the former Anthony's Pier Four building on the Pier Four Phases Two and Three site has also begun.

Excavation of the Phase Two office building's foundation and construction of the building's slurry wall is expected to take approximately eight months. Afterwards, the office building's mat foundation will be poured, a process that will last under a month.

One Seaport Square's frame is well on its way to completion. Per a recent update by John Hynes, Boston Global Investors' Managing Director, The Benjamin will top off within the next three weeks. VIA will follow shortly afterwards, topping off within the next seven weeks.

Construction of 50 Liberty's slurry wall foundation is nearly complete. Final excavations are taking place, and concrete for the mat foundation is beginning to be poured. We are excited to watch 50 Liberty's frame begin to rise! New photographs of 50 Liberty are posted above.

New details of the 150 Seaport project were presented at the Boston Redevelopment Authority's Municipal Harbor Plan Advisory Committee Meeting on February 17th, 2016. Developer Cronin Holdings LLC filed a Letter of Intent for 150 Seaport on December 21st, 2015.

J. Derenzo Companies commences demolition at AC Hotel South End

J. Derenzo Companies' JDC Demolition has commenced demolition on the AC Hotel South End site! Work began on Thursday; today, J. Derenzo Companies is demolishing the former taxi dispatch building on site. We are very excited to watch J. Derenzo Companies prepare National Development's AC Hotel South End site for a distinctive building that will bring new energy to a rapidly growing corner of Boston's South End.

View of demolition from Ink Block

Piece-by-piece demolition

Piece-by-piece demolition

Demolition close-up

Water spraying during demolition

Partially demolished building

Demolition debris

View of site towards Downtown Boston

View of site towards Troy Boston

Initial work at AC Hotel South End starting within next 30 days

Construction fencing installed at AC Hotel South End

Construction fencing has been installed surrounding the AC Hotel South End project site. Demolition of the existing buildings on site is anticipated imminently to make way for the construction of a new 200-room hotel. The AC Hotel South End site is located on Albany Street adjacent to the Ink Block development. Both projects are developed by National Development.

View of AC Hotel South End site towards Downtown Boston

View along Albany Street towards Downtown Boston

View from Albany Street towards Ink Block

View along Albany Street towards Downtown Boston

The following are pre-construction photographs of the AC Hotel South End site taken in January 2016:

View of AC Hotel South End site towards Downtown Boston

View along Albany Street towards Downtown Boston

Garden Garage is now approved for construction. Anticipated start of construction is in June 2016.

Sepia at Ink Block is complete and occupied.

Developer The Druker Company is ready to begin construction at EB80 and is waiting to sign a major office tenant before breaking ground. John Moriarty and Associates will manage EB80's construction. When complete, the 308,000 square foot EB80 will consist of 290,000 square feet of office space and 18,000 square feet of retail space.

EB80 is the first approved office building in a rapidly-developing corner of Boston's South End. On February 3rd, 2016, developer Nordblom Company filed a letter of intent with the Boston Redevelopment Authority to construct a 216,000 square foot addition consisting of office space to an existing parking garage located across the street from the Ink Block development.

With pile driving completed, foundation work is moving forward at 50 Liberty in Boston's Seaport District! A. A. Will Corporation is hard at work digging 50 Liberty's future foundation and underground parking structure. We can't wait to watch the impending concrete pour!

Impressive progress is being made at Boston Landing, a transformative multi-phased mixed-use development project in Boston's Allston neighborhood. New Balance's recently-opened headquarters building has a striking presence on both Guest Street, the Boston Landing development's main artery, and the parallel Massachusetts Turnpike, with sweeping curves and an overall distinctive design. New Balance's new headquarters opened for business in September 2015. Next door, an under-construction ice rink and 10-story office building are nearing completion. The ice rink will serve as the Boston Bruins' official practice facility.

On our recent visit, the construction team was hard at work putting finishing touches on the ice rink and office building, both of which are expected to be complete by fall 2016. Take a look at our new construction photographs posted above. More project information, including the full Boston Landing development plan, is posted below. Also check out 125 Guest Street, a residential component of Boston Landing currently under review by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

We had the honor and privilege of joining Boston Properties and Delaware North at the official groundbreaking ceremony today for Phase One of The Hub on Causeway! We are very excited to watch John Moriarty and Associates build this project and cannot wait to experience the energy The Hub on Causeway will bring to the Bulfinch Triangle neighborhood and downtown Boston. Anticipated completion of Phase One is in late 2018. Learn more about Phase One and see project renderings below. Also take a look at our photographs from today's groundbreaking ceremony, posted above!

The Element Hotel opened for business on January 14th! The aLoft will follow shortly, opening on February 4th. We stopped by the completed buildings, both of which have distinctive finishes that bring a creative presence to developing D Street, located at the heart of Boston's innovative Seaport District, and invite passersby to stop and take a look. Ground-floor retail spaces at the aLoft and Element Hotels are now leasing, a great opportunity for retailers to become a part of one of Boston's hottest real estate markets. View our new photographs of the completed aLoft and Element Hotels, posted above.

Construction has begun on the Circle Cinema Redevelopment in Cleveland Circle. J. Derenzo Companies will soon begin demolition of the existing Circle Cinema and Applebee's buildings on site. Asbsetos removal and installation of construction fencing started Monday. Cranshaw Construction is managing the Circle Cinema Redevelopment.

The following are photographs of Circle Cinema and the adjacent Applebee's restaurant:

Exterior finishes and glass panels are just about fully installed at 610 Main Street North. Work continues to progress on interior and ground-floor retail spaces.

100 Binney foundation excavation underway

Excavation of 100 Binney’s foundation and underground parking structure is underway. Concrete has been poured along the sides of the foundation. A horizontal foundation support system has been installed to reinforce the foundation during excavation. 

View North from Linskey Way

View West from Linskey Way

Cronin Holdings LLC's official Letter of Intent for 150 Seaport is now posted:



Cronin Holdings LLC has also released an official website for the project at 150seaport.com.

Pile driving progressing in earnest at 50 Liberty!

An Expanded Project Notification Form was submitted to the Boston Redevelopment Authority for 125 Guest Street. View the full form at http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/getattachment/4f23f1d9-9f6c-4fde-a27e-1d41077e54ec.

New promotional signage has been installed along the Pier Four Phases Two and Three construction fencing. We look forward to the project's impending start of construction!

The TD Garden project is off to a strong start! John Moriarty and Associates is hard at work preparing the former parking lot on Causeway Street for the ultimate construction of a three-tower mixed-use development. View our site photographs above, and stay tuned for further updates!

For official project renderings, visit http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/getattachment/43af8d83-a3c0-4d67-a242-43c42f7affe4.

A deed was recorded today in the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds transferring ownership of the Circle Cinema site from National Amusements Inc. to Cleveland Circle Development Associates LLC, an affiliate of National Development and Boston Development Group, for $1. Construction of a new AC Hotel and senior housing on the site is expected to commence in 2016. The following is today's recorded deed:

The construction site at Sepia is bustling with activity as Sepia, Ink Block's first condominium tower, nears completion. Check out our recent photographs of Sepia above.

We recently stopped by the aLoft and Element hotels under construction in Boston's Seaport District. The buildings appear to be nearing completion. Check out our construction site photography and learn more about the hotels here on BLDUP.com.

Meriel Marina Bay officially breaks ground

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Meriel Marina Bay on September 21st, 2015. Guests included Quincy Mayor Tom Koch, Massachusetts State Senator John F. Keenan, Massachusetts State Representative Bruce J. Ayers and Quincy Planning Board Chairman William Geary. Meriel Marina Bay will feature 352 waterfront luxury residential apartments, 20,000 square feet of retail and a public waterfront boardwalk. Occupancy of Meriel Marina Bay is expected in Spring 2017. The following is a link to the official press release for the groundbreaking. The following is a photograph from the groundbreaking, courtesy Hines:

Interior renovations complete at the Innovation and Design Building

The Innovation and Design Building, a bastion of Boston’s innovative and creative economy, recently underwent interior renovations totaling over $13 million. All common spaces received new finishes including lighting, carpeting, wallpaper and more. New art displays and furniture were also installed throughout. The result is a bright, airy layout that invites visitors to explore the building’s various companies and showrooms. 3D design software firm Autodesk recently announced it will move into the Innovation and Design Building in fall 2015, a key asset to the building and to Boston’s ever-growing technology community.