Haley & Aldrich

Work Continues on Slurry Walls for Winthrop Center

Construction continues on the slurry walls for the $1.3B Winthrop Center project in Downtown, Boston. The 53 story tower will include  500 condominium residences, with approximately 750,000 square feet of commercial office. The entire tower is designed to meet LEED Platinum standards with the office portion striving to become the world's largest Passive House office. Office tenants will also have access to a full floor of amenities including a fitness center, coffee bar, and game area. The most unique amenity, however, will be an electromagnetic-free zen room which will block cell phone service with a radiation-blocking grid built into the walls. Residential and office tenants will also have access to a proprietary app, ConnexIQ, which will allow them to access information on energy efficiency, request services, or order coffee.

Construction on Winthrop Center is expected to be complete in 2022.

Structural Framing Continues for The Smith South End

Structural framing is quickly moving forward for the first new building within The Smith in the South End. Formerly The Harrison/Albany block, this project will feature a total of 650 apartments along with 80,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Existing buildings at 575 Albany Street and 660 Harrison Avenue are being renovated as part of the development and will contain office, medical and retail space along with 50 apartments. A one-acre park will bisect the development allowing for a better pedestrian pathway through this section of the neighborhood.

Innovation Point Acquired for $252 Million

Alexandria Real Estate Equities has acquired the property at Innovation Point in Boston, MA for $252,000,100 from GE and MassDevelopment.

The parcel consists of two historic six-story brick Boston Wharf Company warehouse buildings at 5 and 6 Necco Street and a section of the existing Gillette parking lot. Designed by Gensler, GE's approximately 2.5-acre, 390,000 square foot campus will restore the existing warehouses. Approximately 1.5 acres of public space will be constructed at Innovation Point, including a Harborwalk extension. The campus will also include a coffee bar and waterfront restaurant space on the ground floor.

NPC Approved for Dot Block During Raucous BPDA Meeting

Although the updated plans for the Dot Block were not up for public debate at the BPDA meeting on April 11th, a group of disgruntled citizens were on hand to speak in opposition of the project. Chairman Timothy Burke's gavel got quite a workout as he tried to silence the crowd who claimed the $200M, project set to clean up a long-blighted industrial area, will displace Dorchester residents. Despite the interruptions, the NPC was approved, even receiving positive feedback from a Board member who is a neighbor to the project.

The newly approved plans call for an increase in residential units from 362 to 488, 66 of which will be IDP units. The increase in units allows for deeper levels of affordability than required and 33 of the IDP units are designated for Neighborhood Diversity Preference. Changes were also put in place to decrease the retail/restaurant square footage to 23,000. With smaller spaces the development team hopes to be able to welcome more local, small businesses to the project. The final major change to the plans was to the parking. The previous plan called for an above ground parking garage which has now been moved below grade allowing for significantly more green/open space, around 1.3 acres in total.

A spokesperson for Samuels and Associates, who joined the project team in December of 2018, told BLDUP via email:  "After many months of review and feedback, we are pleased to have earned BPDA approval to move forward with revised plans for the Dot Block project.  The current proposal improves upon the project originally approved by the BPDA in 2016, adding more housing opportunities, connecting neighborhoods together and providing more open space."

A construction start date is yet to be determined.

Early Stages of Construction Continue at Winthrop Center as The Great Hall is Renamed The Connector

As site and slurry wall work continues for Winthrop Center the development team has announced a shift in the plans for the common space at the bottom of the project. What was originally dubbed The Great Hall, 12,000 square feet of public space over three floors has been revamped and renamed "The Connector". The update calls for a long lobby across the base of the tower, "connecting" Federal Street and Devonshire, still open to the public and programmed with year-round events.

Construction on the 691' tower is expected to be complete in 2022.

The Caulfield Properties Team Takes Over Sales for One of Beacon Hill’s Most Anticipated Projects: The Archer Residences

The Caulfield Properties Team at Compass has taken over sales for Beacon Hill’s hottest new condo project, The Archer. This exclusive, boutique development will convert two historic buildings into 62 luxurious condo homes. A new construction penthouse level will top off the project. Spacious homes range in size from one to four bedrooms, all blending historic character with elegant finishes and modern amenities.

This full-service building offers a highly-curated suite of amenities including a Club Room, fitness and wellness rooms, children's playroom, and underground garage parking. Residents can also enjoy amazing views of Beacon Hill from the nearly 5,000 square foot roof terrace.

Nestled on Temple Place in Beacon Hill, The Archer offers residents the charm of this historic neighborhood with many of Boston’s other great neighborhoods just a quick jaunt away. For more information on The Archer contact the Caulfield Properties Tema at 617-501- 3685 or visit https://thearcherresidences.com/.

Work Ongoing in Garage for Addition at 321 Harrison Avenue

BU Dental School Expansion/Renovation Tops Off

Shawmut Design and Construction hosted a topping off ceremony last Friday for the $112M renovation and expansion of Boston University's Goldman School of Dental Medicine.  The project includes a new 7 story 41,900 square-foot expansion and renovation of 53,100 square-foot of existing space. The new and renovated space will feature office, instructional, clinical, and student collaborative space, incorporating the latest technology and creating multi-functional learning space. The building's exterior will also be fully modernized, featuring a new terra-cotta and glass curtain wall facade. Construction on the first phase of the project is expected to be complete in February 2021.

The BEAT Secures $252.74 Million in Financing

The BEAT in Dorchester has secured $252,747,880 in financing via Oaktree Capital.

The project calls for the repositioning of the 16.6-acre former Boston Globe headquarters at 135 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester. The existing three-story office and an industrial building will be retained and retrofitted into a 695,000-square-foot modern hub for creative office, laboratory and retail uses dubbed The BEAT. The project would create spaces to stimulate growth in fields such as robotics, life sciences, and high-tech manufacturing.

Framing Begins for The Smith South End

Framing is underway for The Smith, the upcoming 710,000 square foot mixed-use project in the South End  A total of 650 apartment residences and 80,000 square feet of office space will be constructed at The Smith. The project will also include 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and 650 parking spaces in the underground parking garage.

Building Permit Issued for The BEAT

A building permit has been issued for The BEAT, the new development project at the former site of the Boston Globe headquarters in Dorchester, MA.

The BEAT will include 360,000 square feet of office space and 300,000 square feet of flex/light industrial space, along with retail including a 10,000-square-foot fitness center, a 100-seat restaurant and a micro craft brewery with a food component, including an outdoor beer garden. A portion of The BEAT will be dedicated to robotics-related work. 868 parking spaces and over 200 bicycle storage spaces will be provided on site. Smaller outbuildings will be removed from the existing 815,000-square-foot existing building in order to construct The BEAT, creating 695,000 square feet of space.

Renovation Moves Forward at Innovation Point as GE Scraps Plans for New Tower

Renovations of two historic buildings in Fort Point continue as GE announces it will scrap plans for the second phase of the project, a new 12-story tower. Instead of the original 800 person campus, GE’s headquarters now will have about 250 employees in the two refurbished buildings. GE plans to lease the buildings, after selling them and the adjacent land for the tower jointly with the state to recoup the $25 million tax incentive received from the city.

At the site currently, structural steel for the glass enclosure connecting the two buildings has been erected and window install is ongoing. The crane on site is supporting the erection of the structural steel for the roof and the new 6th floor on the west building. Rough-in of interior walls and interior masonry restoration is also underway in both buildings. Construction is set to be complete by the middle of this year.

Framing Rising for First New Construction Building at St. Gabriel's

DotBlock Under Official Review

The proposed mixed-use development in Dorchester is under official review.

The development will transform a collection of vacant parcels located at the juncture of Dorchester's Savin Hill, Jones Hill, and Meeting House Hill neighborhoods. In total, approximately 487 residential units will be built at DotBlock, a mix of apartments and condos, across five mixed-use buildings.

DotBlock will include approximately 37,000 square feet of retail with underground parking for 360 cars. Among DotBlock's residential amenities will be a pool and fitness facility and around 15,000 square feet of green space.

Foundation Work Begins for Winthrop Center

Foundation work has started for Winthrop Center, the 53-story tower coming to Boston's downtown. The massive project will feature around 500 condo residences along with 750,000 square feet of commercial space. At the base of the tower will be a Great Hall that will create a new connection between Winthrop Square and Federal Street. The Great Hall will offer retail and restaurant options along with 21,000 square feet of shared meeting space.

Construction is expected to be complete in 2022.

Construction Continues for BU Dental Renovation and Expansion

Various stages of construction are ongoing for the addition and renovation of BU's Goldman Dental School. Work continues on the new patient entrance and porch while foundation work is also being completed for the 7 story addition. The addition to the school will add nearly 42,000sf to the existing building. This project will feature office, instructional, clinical, and student collaborative space, incorporating the latest technology and bettering the patient experience.

Saint Gabriel's Redevelopment Secures $150.165 Million in Construction Financing

The redevelopment project of Saint Gabriel's in Brighton has secured $150.165 million in construction financing via Blue Vista Capital Management.

In total the development will include around 555 residential apartment units, and 105 of condominiums units, and approximately 510 parking spaces. The center of the development will focus on the renovation and adaptive reuse of the existing St. Gabriel's Monastery and Church.

Demo Ongoing for The Beat

Demolition of parts of the former Boston Globe headquarters is ongoing to transform the site into a creative hub of office, retail, and lab space. The existing three-story building at the center of the site will be retained and a new multi-story atrium will be built at the entrance. The atrium will be open to the public and offer a food hall and meeting space.  In total, The Beat will include 360,000sf of office space, 300,000sf of flex/light industrial space, a 10,000sf fitness center, and a 100 seat restaurant. 

Be sure to check out their website www.thebeatboston.com for some new renderings, like this amazing one of the lobby.

Notice of Project Change at The Archer Residences in Beacon Hill

The project change calls for the redevelopment of existing Suffolk University Archer and Donahue buildings into 62 (originally 67) residential units with 54 (originally 50) parking spaces.

The Archer Residences will restore two existing historic buildings and construct a new penthouse level. Amenities at The Archer Residences will include concierge service, a fitness center, a children's room, and a common roof deck. 

Site Work Continues for Winthrop Center

After an official groundbreaking complete with fireworks was celebrated about 1 month ago site work is in full swing for Winthrop Center in downtown Boston. The $1.3 billion project will be Boston's 4th tallest building at 691 feet when complete. The top 26 floors of the tower will contain around 500 condo residences with around 750,000 square feet of office space below. At the base of the project will site three floors of public space dubbed The Great Hall to include a restaurant and retail space along with shared meeting space. There will also be 5 levels of parking underneath the tower with space for 550 cars.

First occupancy at The Winthrop center is expected in early 2022.

Electrical Permit Issued for The Smith South End

An electrical permit has been issued for The Smith South End, the mixed-use project on the 3-acre site along East Dedham Street between Harrison Avenue & Albany Street. This first electrical permit is for 2 levels of parking and the 11 floor residential building at 89 East Dedham. In total, the project will consist of four buildings totaling approximately 710,000 square feet. A total of 650 apartment residences and 80,000 square feet of office space will be constructed along with around 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The two-level parking garage underneath the development will have room for up to 650 cars.

Electrical Permit Issued for The Archer Residences

An electrical permit has been issued for The Archer Residences in Beacon Hill.  The luxury condo development along Temple Street will feature 67 condo units in two restored historical buildings. Resident amenities will include concierge service, a fitness center, a children's room, and a roof terrace.

Construction Continues on Underground Parking Garage for The Smith South End

Construction is ongoing for the two-level parking garage that will be located under The Smith South End.  The garage is set to hold up to 650 cars to accommodate residents of the 650 apartments, 80,000sf of office space, and 20,000sf of retail planned for the development. The Smith will also feature a large, open community park at the center of the site, bringing walkability this area of the South End.

Renovations Continue at St. Gabriel's Monastery in Brighton

Renovations of the Boston Landmark building St. Gabriel's Monastery continue for the redevelopment of the 11.6 acre site in Brighton.  The historic monastery originally built in 1909 will be converted to 27 rental units. An additional 4 new buildings will be constructed on the site to include another 524 apartments and 105 condos. The plans also call for 510 parking spaces and improvements to the landscaping and open space, around 7 acres on the site. The development will include 85 affordable housing units and 13 workforce housing units.

Winthrop Square Tower to Officially Break Ground Next Week

After years of planning the Winthrop Square Tower, now called Winthrop Center, will finally be moving forward with a groundbreaking set for next week.  While demolition of the abandoned garage has been ongoing Millenium Partners finally gets the go-ahead to break ground as the City Council voted to appropriate the funds from the sale of the garage earlier this week.

The $102 million sale of the property was finalized earlier this month. Funds from the sale will go toward funding open spaces including $23 million to The Boston Common & Franklin Park and $11 million for completion of the Emerald Necklace.

The $1.35 billion tower will be Boston's 4th tallest building when complete at 691 feet and will include around 500 condominiums and around 750,000sf of office space.

Renovations Continue for GE's Future Headquarters in Fort Point

Renovations of two historic brick warehouse building at 5 & 6 Necco Court continue for GE's new Headquarters, Innovation Point.  In addition to restoring the warehouse buildings, the project will include a new 12-story 293,000 square foot building and 1.5 acres of public space.   All three buildings will be connected by a pedestrian walkway and the project will also extend Boston's Harborwalk.

The first phase of the project, the renovations, are expected to be complete in the first half of 2019. Completion of Phase Two, construction of the new building by Suffolk Construction and creation of new public open space along Fort Point Channel, is expected in mid-2021.

Millennium Partners Officially Acquires Winthrop Square Garage Site for $102 Million

New York-based, Millennium Partners has officially acquired the property at 115 Federal Street in Boston, the site of the Winthrop Square Garage, for $102 million. 

The property was acquired from the Boston Redevelopment Authority and is planned for an upcoming 53-story, 691-foot-tall tower that would replace a decrepit City-owned parking garage located in Winthrop Square in the heart of Downtown Boston. Across the $1.3 billion, 1.592-million-square-foot tower’s top 26 floors would be approximately 500 condominium residences, with approximately 750,000 square feet of commercial office space across 20 floors below.

Groundbreaking Held For The Smith South End

The rain held off just long enough for local officials, neighbors and project stakeholders from Leggat McCall Properties, Bentall Kennedy, and Suffolk Construction to officially break ground on the Harrison Albany Block development.  While work has already started on the site for the foundation and 650 underground parking spaces the event served as a milestone in the project as the official name, The Smith, was unveiled.  Bill Gause, Executive VP at Leggat McCall Properties, explained the name speaks to the rich history of the craftsmen who lived and worked in the South End. He stated the building is designed for the future but with reflections of the past.

In total, The Smith will bring 650 units of housing, including 65 affordable, 20,000 square feet of retail and cultural space, and 75,000 square feet of new and renovated office space to The South End.  The development will also feature a 1-acre community park bisecting the site set to bring walkability and vibrancy so this section of the neighborhood.

Foundation Installation Ongoing for Addition to BU Dental School

Installation of the new building foundation system continues for the addition and renovation at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. The project will add a new 7-story addition to the existing building to better the patient experience and incorporate the latest technology for students.

Beach House Revere Refinanced for $63.01 Million

Baystone Development has refinanced their property known as Beach House on Revere Beach, MA for $63.01 million via KeyBank.

The six-story residential building along beautiful Revere Beach features 234 luxury apartment residences ranging from studio to two-bedroom configurations. Resident amenities at Beach House include a rooftop pool and terrace featuring scenic ocean views, a 2,000-square-foot gym, and a movie room. 

Construction Continues on The Archer Residences at Beacon Hill

Construction is well underway on this upcoming luxury condominium development featuring 67 residences. The Archer Residences will restore two historic buildings and construct a new penthouse level. The penthouse unit, at nearly 6,000 sf is currently listed for $18 million and features a 2,300 sf terrace with an infinity edge pool.
Amenities at The Archer Residences will include concierge service, a fitness center, a kids room and a common roof deck. An underground parking garage will contain 54 spaces.  Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2019.

BPDA Approves Exchange South End

In a meeting held on August 16th, 2018 the BPDA approved the massive, 1.6 million square foot development in the South End along Albany Street. Positive comments regarding the project came from numerous sources including neighborhood associations, unions, and the board itself.  The head of the South End Forum, a collection of the various South End neighborhood associations, applauded the development team for their community engagement throughout the past year and no opposition to the project was voiced at the public hearing.

The development of the 5.6-acre site will include four new buildings of commercial, technology, and life science space with ground floor retail.  The front door to the site will be the 1-acre park, Albany Green. While questions around transportation remain, The Abbey Group hopes to start construction this coming spring, 2019.

Phase I Construction Continues at Innovation Point

Construction continues at GE’s future headquarters in Fort Point. The project is being completed in two phases, pushing full completion of the project to 2021.

Renovation of the two existing brick warehouses at 5 and 6 Necco Court, now dubbed “North Point”, by Consigli Construction is on schedule for delivery in the first half of 2019.

Construction of the new 12-story office building, now dubbed “South Point”, by Suffolk Construction on a former section of the Procter & Gamble parking lot along Fort Point Channel is now scheduled for completion in mid-2021, along with new public open space along Fort Point Channel.

Saint Gabriel's Construction Ongoing

Construction is ongoing at 159 Washington Street in Brighton, the site of the Saint Gabriel’s Monastery. The project is slated for completion in mid-2019.

The project consists of the construction of two five-story high new 400 Residential units, referred to as building two and three. Building two has a maximum footprint of 28 200 square-feet and building three has 37 500 square-feet. The first floor consists of parking in building two and residential units in building three. and residential and amenity spaces on the second floor through 5th floors

Per the project's Expanded Project Notification Form (EPNF), resident amenities could include "a fitness center, indoor basketball court, common lounges, kitchens, games room, café, outdoor pool, outdoor grills, and a generous amount of hard and soft landscaped areas." A total of approximately 395 parking spaces would be constructed on site.

Exchange South End Awaits Approval

With the Exchange South End proposal under board review, the $600 million commercial development is still aiming to begin construction in the fall of 2018. The development would transform 5.6 acres of South End real estate into a massive mixed-use opportunity for the neighborhood.

The nearly 1.6 million square foot project would include four new buildings featuring approximately 1,481,350 square feet of commercial, technology, and life science research space with 42,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space and 30,000 square feet of civic and incubator space oriented about a new public park.

Over one acre of new pedestrian-friendly public open space, known as Albany Green, would be constructed on site. Exchange South End would host 4,000 to 7,000 new jobs, and represent a total investment of over $1 billion in the South End neighborhood.

Site Work Underway at Harrison Albany Block

Site work continues on the upcoming four building, mixed-use Harrison Albany block project.  The three-acre site in the South End is set to include around 650 apartments, 80,000 square-feet of office space, and 20,000 square-feet of retail.  The development will also increase public open space in the neighborhood and liven the streetscape with the retail storefronts.

Interior Fit Out Underway at 345 Harrison

Construction continues at 345 Harrison with interior fit out of a new 10,000 square-foot CVS Pharmacy and retail store on the ground floor of the building.

When complete 345 Harrison will consists of two new 14-story buildings totaling approximately 535,900 square feet of new space. Approximately 585 rental residential apartments are being built at 345 Harrison, along with up to 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. including a 10,000-square-foot CVS Pharmacy and the Shore Leave tiki bar and restaurant.

Site Work Underway at Winthrop Square

Site work is in full swing at Winthrop Square in Downtown Boston.  Now that the old Winthrop Garage has been removed and approval for the project received in May, work on the 53 story tower is moving forward.  This $1.3 billion project will include approximately 500 condos on the upper floors and 750,000 sf of commercial space below.

The tower’s first three floors would contain a 12,000-square-foot Great Hall public space set to include restaurant, retail, and public meeting space.

Utility Work Continues at Goldman School of Dental Medicine

Utility work on Albany Street, from the GSDM building to 650 Albany Street, will continue on Saturday and Sunday in line with City of Boston permits. On Saturday, flooring in the GSDM building will be replaced in the area around room 704F. The flooring work is associated with the previously completed work to add a door to room 704F.

The pile-drilling operation between GSDM and the Boston Medical Center/Newton Pavilion was completed last week. The pile-drilling will resume at the north elevation along the loading dock to Newton Pavilion in a few weeks. Installation of the earth-retention system (SOE) will continue between GSDM and Boston Medical Center/Newton Pavilion.  The equipment used to vibrate the SOE sheet pilings (required for installation) will be completing this operation as it heads toward East Newton Street. As a result of unanticipated work stoppages, this work will now continue through 7/3/18, pending weather and project scheduling requirements.

The project’s structural steel subcontractor will continue to install the clips for the existing GSDM exterior walls. (The clips are used to secure the steel framing to the building for the new entrance canopy.) Following this operation, installation of new entrance-canopy structural steel is scheduled to begin on Monday, 7/2/18.

Excavation of the soil between the sheet piling and the foundation of the former cafeteria will begin.  This is the first step towards removing the building’s existing foundations to allow the new addition support piles to be installed.  Saw-cutting at the existing GSDM foundation along Albany Street will take place in order to connect the new foundation system (for the future entrance canopy) to the existing building.Installation of new piping and duct work to support the school’s mechanical systems will continue in the basement and on the first floor.

Certificate of Occupancy at PORT45

A certificate of occupancy has been issued at PORT45 in South Boston. The new-construction mixed-use LEED Silver-certifiable building features 105 contemporary residential condominiums ranging from one to three-plus bedrooms.

Condominiums at PORT45 are now for sale starting at $599,000 and continuing to $1.5 million. Amenities at PORT45 will include concierge service, a gym, common spaces, private outdoor spaces and a bicycle sharing program.

Construction Work Continues at BU's Goldman School of Dental Medicine

Pile-drilling continues around the perimeter of the existing GSDM building, including on the Boston Medical Center loading dock side of the building on the north, and on the west side of the building (between GSDM and the Boston Medical Center/Newton Pavilion) for the 7-story addition. Utility work on Albany Street continues, from the existing GSDM building on towards 609 Albany Street.

Investigation and rerouting of utilities around the site, allowing the installation of the earth-retention system (SOE) is being performed. Additionally, work on the new foundation system will continue along the East Newton Street side of the building in preparation for the first concrete installation in Phase 1. Interior demolition activities are ongoing in the basement and on the first floor of the School.

Building Permit Issued for Brighton Development Project

A building permit has been issued for the Saint Gabriel's Monastery Redevelopment project in Brighton, MA.

The project consists of the construction of two five-story high new 400 Residential units, referred to as building two and three. Building two has a maximum footprint of 28 200 square-feet and building three has 37 500 square-feet. The first floor consists of parking in building two and residential units in building three. and residential and amenity spaces on the second floor through 5th floors

Certificate of Occupancy Issued

The South End's highly anticipated 345 Harrison development has just been issued a certificate of occupancy. 

The development, a mixed-use project, consists of two new 14-story buildings totaling approximately 535,900 square feet of new space. Approximately 585 rental residential apartments, along with up to 40,000 square-feet of ground-floor retail including a 10,000-square-foot CVS Pharmacy and the Shore Leave tiki bar and restaurant.

Pile-drilling and Interior Demolition Continues at BU's Goldman School

Pile-drilling will continue around the existing GSDM building, on East Newton Street, Albany Street, and on the Boston Medical Center (Newton Pavilion) loading dock side of the building.

Interior demolition activities will continue in the basement and on the first floor of the School. Investigation and rerouting of utilities around the site will continue.

Unmarked utilities—that is, those not previously recorded on earlier building plans, but discovered during excavation and trenching—are being assessed, causing a slight delay on the start of installation of the earth-retention system (SOE). The project team is working to relocate these utilities and anticipates SOE installation during the week.

Foundation Progress at East Newton St

Basement Demolition

115 Winthrop Square moves forward, paving way for affordable housing and parks investments

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors approved a total of nine development projects representing $1.6 billion in investments at the May Board meeting.  Altogether, the projects will generate 1,171 residential units and 2,306 jobs once construction is complete.

Following a comprehensive public process, the Board approved the 115 Winthrop Square project, paving the way for a $163 million payment to the City of Boston that will be invested in affordable housing and open space. Mayor Martin J. Walsh has committed funds to the Boston Common ($28 million), Franklin Park ($28 million), the Emerald Necklace ($11 million), Boston Housing Authority's Old Colony development in South Boston ($25 million) Orient Heights development in East Boston ($10 million), and $5 million for a City-held fund to benefit the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The project is expected to generate over $15 million a year in property tax revenue and make significant investments in affordable housing and workforce training programs.

DotBlock Construction to Start in 2018

Despite delays, this past winter on pre-construction demolition, the mixed-use Dot Block project should begin construction in 2018. The project will bring 362 units and 37,000 square feet of retail space to the 4-acre block of Glover’s Corner in Dorchester.

Catherine O'Neill of Atlas Investment Group said that they planned to pull a demolition permit at Inspectional Services Department and the buildings on the four parcels should be coming down “soon.”

The Beat at 135 Morrissey gets BPDA approval

FROM THE BPDA:

The proposed project consists of the renovation and reuse of the approximately 695,000 square foot building located at 135 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester (the former Boston Globe Headquarters).

Live: A contribution of $4,772,723 in Housing Linkage to the Neighborhood Housing Trust (NHT), public community space
Work: 3,000 full-time jobs, STEM-focused campus, on-site career center
Connect: 275 bike storage spaces, building wifi, LEED Silver Certified
Size: 695,000 square feet

The 135 Morrissey Boulevard project is located in Dorchester at the former Boston Globe Headquarters building. The project includes a comprehensive renovation of both the inside and outside of the former Boston Globe Headquarters building. In addition, the project will include landscaping improvements throughout the project site.

Overall, the improvements will result in 695,000 square feet of refurbished space meant to attract creative office, technology, light manufacturing, warehouse, retail, and life science tenants, with approximately 868 off-street parking spaces and approximately 209 bicycle storage spaces. The envisioned building program is made up of the following uses: office/business, tech flex/light industrial, retail/restaurant, food service and fitness space.

In addition, the proposed 135 Morrissey Boulevard project will provide community benefits to Dorchester and Boston as a whole. These benefits  include 2,500 square feet of space located at the project site to be programmed and utilized as a community job training/employment center, open to the public. This space will be provided at no cost to a local non-profit organization. In addition, a contribution of $4,772,723 in housing linkage will be made to the Neighborhood Housing Trust (NHT), along with a commitment to adopt the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)-owned public open space known as Patten’s Cove for no less than 10 years.

Traffic Signal and Handicap Access Work

Continued infrastructural work on the relocation of the traffic signal at the corner of Albany Street and East Newton Street. (Weekend work, as directed by the City of Boston, reduces the impact on traffic.) Eversource will be on-site to provide power to the temporary signal. The existing signal will remain active until the temporary signal is operational.

installation of the handicap lift at the School’s East Newton Street entrance will continue. Testing and State inspection will follow over the next week before the lift is officially available for public use. This is an important milestone as it will allow the existing handicap ramp to be taken offline and demolished to clear the way for the new addition’s footprint.

A tent will be set up on the construction site in the space between the School and the Newton Pavilion, and other preparations will be made for the project’s Groundbreaking Ceremony to be held on April 5.

Investigation of the routing of the building’s existing utilities will continue, and utilities presently serving the former cafeteria will be disconnected to prepare for its demolition in the coming weeks.

Construction personnel will continue to be on site (inside and out) to prepare for the cafeteria demolition and the start of construction of Phase 1 in the School’s basement and first floor.

Work Continues at the School’s East Newton Street Entrance

Construction of an overhead canopy at the East Newton Street entrance will begin. It will provide cover for pedestrians as they enter the building, as well as protection for the handicap lift. 

The reworking of the East Newton Street entrance vestibule will begin, including the construction of a temporary storage room, along with the slight relocation of the security desk in the vestibule.

The Boston Fire Department’s emergency connection to the building on the Albany Street side will be extended so that the connection point is outside of the construction fencing.

Investigation of the routing of the building’s existing utilities will continue, and utilities presently serving the former cafeteria will be disconnected to prepare for demolition in the coming weeks.

Construction personnel will continue to be on-site at the interior and exterior of the building to prepare for the cafeteria demolition and the start of construction of Phase 1 in the School’s basement and first floor.

Updated renderings of Exchange South End from Stantec, the architectural firm on the project.  The $600 million commercial development is aiming to begin construction in the fall of 2018, transforming 5.6 acres of South End real estate into a massive mixed-use opportunity for the neighborhood.

Renovation and expansion of Boston University - Henry M. Goldman School of Dentistry. The work will include; new fire alarm's,  MEP upgrades, sprinkler work, architectural finishes and landscape work. Interior renovation of 1st, 5th, and 6th floors. The expansion will consist of a 2 story addition to the northside and a 7 story addition to the westside. There will also be exterior facade upgrades to the existing building. 

Shore Leave tiki bar coming to 345 Harrison in South End

The proponents of the Upper South End’s successful Bar Mezzana Italian restaurant will open Shore Leave, a tiki bar and restaurant, on the ground floor of the neighborhood’s new-construction 345 Harrison apartment development. The island-inspired Shore Leave will be located across from Ink Block, home of Bar Mezzana, and is expected to open later this year. Details of Shore Leave’s menu have not yet been revealed. The Shore Leave space will be designed by Hacin + Associates, and fit out by Cafco Construction. Opening this Spring, 345 Harrison will feature 585 luxurious apartment residences, as well as 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail that will also be home to CVS/Pharmacy.

$160 million construction financing secured for The Archer Residences luxury condominiums on Beacon Hill

The Archer Residences, an upcoming luxury condominium building located on Beacon Hill at 33-61 Temple Street, has secured $160 million in construction financing, allowing the project to proceed. Financing has been provided by a joint venture of GTIS Partners, Golden Tree Asset Management and The Union Labor Life Company. “We were attracted to this investment principally because The Archer Residences Beacon Hill is destined to become a much sought-after development in one of Boston’s most elite areas,” said Herb Kolben, Senior Vice President of Union Labor Life's Real Estate Investment Group, in a prepared statement. “There’s nothing else comparable to it in the neighborhood.”

The Archer Residences is Beacon Hill’s largest luxury condominium development currently under construction. Developed by Center Court Partners, the building will feature 70 residences anticipated to be available for sale by the end of this month. Amenities at The Archer Residences will include on-site parking, concierge service, a fitness center, a kids room and a common roof deck.

Finishing touches underway at South End’s new-construction 345 Harrison luxury apartments

The multifaceted facades of both buildings of 345 Harrison, a 14-story, 535,900-square-foot mixed-use development located in the burgeoning Upper South End, have been just about fully installed, bringing a bright new multicolored array of red, yellow, orange, grey and white exterior finishes, in addition to blue floor-to-ceiling windows, to the growing neighborhood. Inside the buildings, luxurious finishes including California Closets, Italian cabinetry, quartz and granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, USB outlets and wood plank flooring are being installed within residences.

Finishing touches are also being put upon 345 Harrison’s amenity spaces, including a 13th floor Sky Lounge with an indoor lounge and outdoor roof deck, an outdoor, resort-style rooftop pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga room. On the development’s ground floor, glass is being fit along retail spaces, which will total 40,000 square feet and include a 10,000-square-foot CVS Pharmacy. In the coming weeks, landscaping of 345 Harrison’s central pedestrian plaza will begin. 345 Harrison is expected to open early this year. The following is a photograph of 345 Harrison:

The BEAT to provide Dorchester with creative office and industrial hub

Nordblom Company and Alcion Ventures, who acquired the former Boston Globe property in Dorchester for $81 million in December 2017, propose to transform the property into The BEAT, a $200 million office and industrial innovation hub that would bring over 3,000 new jobs to the Dorchester economy. The BEAT would repurpose the existing building on site, creating a total of 695,000 square feet including 360,000 square feet of office space and 300,000 square feet of flex/light industrial space.

At The BEAT’s center would be a natural light-laden atrium open to the public during working hours, including a food hall and collaborative meeting and gathering spaces. The BEAT would also include a 10,000-square-foot fitness space, a 100-seat restaurant and a micro craft brewery with a food component, including an outdoor beer garden.

Nordblom and Alcion hope to start construction of The BEAT in the third quarter of 2018; construction would last 12 to 14 months. The City of Boston is now reviewing the proposed project plans.

Revamped Winthrop Square tower would start construction Q2 2018

Millennium Partners has thoroughly redesigned its’ proposed $1.3 billion Winthrop Square tower, shrinking its’ height to 53 stories and 691 feet from 775 feet as originally proposed. Under the new proposal, upper condominium residences have increased from 460 to approximately 500, and office space has increased from 635,000 square feet to approximately 750,000. The tower would also include approximately 31,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and 21,000 square feet of public meeting space centered about the previously proposed three-story ground-floor Great Hall public space. A previously proposed 14,620 square foot startup accelerator on the tower's second floor has eliminated, though Millennium may consider a similar concept for the project’s final design. A rendering of the project’s latest design is posted above.

Given the increase in condominium count, the Winthrop Square tower would generate up to $166 million in payments to the City of Boston, more than the nearly $153 million the original tower would have generated. Millennium’s deal to acquire and develop the City-owned Winthrop Square Garage, which the tower will replace, consists of a $102 million upfront payment and $100 per sold condominium square foot. Millennium will also create 115,000 square feet of new affordable housing as part of the project, most likely in Boston’s Chinatown in collaboration with the Asian Community Development Corporation. Additionally, Millennium has agreed to pay the Friends of the Public Garden $125,000 per year for 40 years following the project’s completion in order to maintain and enhance Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden.

Millennium began demolishing the dilapidated Winthrop Square Garage in Fall 2017 in order to make way for the proposed tower, and aims to start construction of the tower in the second quarter of 2018 targeting initial occupancy by the first quarter of 2022. Millennium has filed plans for the revised tower with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), who is now reviewing the proposal.

321 Harrison office development in South End could break ground by March

The 321 Harrison office development in the South End will reportedly move forward on a speculative basis, with developers Nordblom Company and CIM Group seeking to start foundation work by March. Per an update by The Boston Sun, the proponents have sought their building permit for the approved eight-story, 232,500-square-foot project and, pending the permit’s issuing, could complete the building by summer 2019. 321 Harrison will be built using a pile system that screws into the building’s foundation, as opposed to noisier pile driving.

321 Harrison will be constructed atop the three-story parking garage of the existing 11-story, 235,000-square-foot 1000 Washington Street office building. CIM Group acquired the 1000 Washington Street property for $114.2 million in cash in September 2017 from a partnership of Nordblom Company and Rubinstein Partners. Nordblom remains a stakeholder in 321 Harrison Avenue and will remain involved with developing 321 Harrison and managing the property.

CVS Pharmacy coming to ground floor of 345 Harrison development across from Ink Block in South End

CVS Pharmacy will reportedly open a 10,000-square-foot store within the 40,000-square-foot retail component of 345 Harrison, a nearly-complete mixed-use development opening early 2018 across from Ink Block in the South End. Per an update by The Boston Sun, the CVS lease is finalized, and developer UDR is also in discussions with retail tenants including a bar and restaurant concept. UDR is also considering opening a dog day care at 345 Harrison given neighborhood demand. 345 Harrison will feature 585 luxurious apartment residences with amenities including a 13th floor Sky Lounge with an indoor lounge and outdoor roof deck, an outdoor, resort-style rooftop pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga room.

Skanska sells ownership stake in Watermark Seaport luxury apartments for about $60 million

Skanska, in partnership with project co-developer Twining Properties, has announced the sale of its’ Watermark Seaport luxury apartment tower in the Seaport District to CLPF Residences at Seaport LLC. The sale of Skanska’s equity ownership in the development, 42.75%, will reportedly amount to about $60 million. The transfer of ownership of Watermark Seaport to CLPF will reportedly occur in the first quarter of 2018.

The 17-story Watermark Seaport was completed in the first quarter of 2016 and features 346 luxurious apartment residences, including 65 lofts in a six-story building adjacent to the main tower. Watermark Seaport, which is LEED Gold sustainability certified, also includes 25,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, including an 11,590-square-foot CVS Pharmacy and multiple dining options. Resident amenities at Watermark Seaport include a roof deck with views of the Financial District and Boston Harbor, a wellness studio, a resident lounge, an innovation lab and underground parking.

Sale of Boston Globe’s former Dorchester headquarters closes for $81 million

Nordblom Company and Alcion Ventures, who propose to develop The Boston Globe’s former headquarters at 135 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester into a hub for high-tech jobs, have acquired the property for $81 million. The sale of the 815,000-square-foot office and industrial building, which stands on 16.5 acres located just off of Interstate 93, amounts to about $99 per square foot. Acore Capital Mortgage LP provided $75 million in financing towards the acquisition.

Nordblom and Alcion plan to construct an urban innovation campus on the property, renovating and reusing the existing building to create 690,000 square feet of creative office space for technology and life sciences companies, light industrial space and food & beverage-oriented retail including a craft brewery. The adjacent Patten’s Cove public park would also be overhauled, and improvements would be made to the connectivity of the Savin Hill neighborhood to the nearby JFK/UMass MBTA Red Line station. The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is now reviewing Nordblom and Alcion’s proposed plans for 135 Morrissey Boulevard.

Winthrop Square Garage demolition underway to make way for 700+ foot tower

After standing vacant and decrepit in the heart of Downtown Boston since 2013, the Winthrop Square Garage is coming down to make way for Millennium Partners’ proposed 700+ foot tall tower. Significant portions of the garage have been demolished, allowing passersby to see directly between Winthrop Square and Federal Street. With the garage demolished, excavation of the proposed tower’s three-level underground parking garage and construction of the tower's foundation will be able to begin.

Millennium will file detailed plans for the proposed tower with the City of Boston in the coming months to begin the tower’s official review process. The tower’s proposed height was recently reduced to 702 feet from 775 in light of concerns regarding flight paths to and from Logan Airport. The tower will contain luxury condominium residences on upper floors, with office space below and a 65-foot-tall ground-level public "Great Hall" lined with three levels of retail. Millennium will pay the City of Boston $153 million to acquire the Winthrop Square Garage site. The following are photographs of the Winthrop Square Garage's demolition:

Construction of exclusive Archer Residences condominium development on Beacon Hill begins

Work has begun on The Archer Residences, an exclusive 71-unit luxury condominium development on Beacon Hill. Set within two historic buildings, The Archer Residences will be located across from the State House and steps from the Financial District. Demolition of existing finishes within the two buildings, former Suffolk University academic buildings located at 33-61 Temple Street, is now underway. The buildings will be improved with state-of-the-art luxury finishes, a new penthouse level, a renovated facade and underground garage parking. Sales of condominiums at The Archer Residences are expected to begin before the end of 2017. The following are photographs of work underway on The Archer Residences:

Initial demolition underway at future site of Harrison Albany Block development in South End

Demolition of existing buildings is underway at the future three-acre site of Harrison Albany Block, a 710,000-square-foot mixed-use development in the South End. A total of four buildings are being demolished to make way for Harrison Albany Block’s two new-construction 11-story buildings. Two existing buildings at 575 Albany Street and 660 Harrison Avenue (Gambro Building) will be retained and improved as part of the project. In total, Harrison Albany Block will feature approximately 650 apartment residences, 80,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following is a video of demolition underway at Harrison Albany Block:

. @universalhub insane demo of 123 East Dedham St today. #HarrisonAlbanyBlock #SouthEnd #Demolished pic.twitter.com/zXkvz6sOcV

— John Hanzl (author) (@JohnHanzl) November 25, 2017

Nordblom begins city review process for 135 Morrissey commercial development in Dorchester

Nordblom Company has submitted a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) for 135 Morrissey, the proposed redevelopment of the former Boston Globe Headquarters in Dorchester into a hub for high-tech jobs, kicking off the project’s official review process. As previously reported, the existing building would be renovated and reused, resulting in approximately 690,000 square feet of uses including creative office space for technology and life sciences companies, light industrial space and food & beverage-oriented retail. Significant landscaping and pedestrian realm improvements would be made to the 16.61-acre site, including an overhaul of the adjacent Patten’s Cove public park and increased connectivity of the Savin Hill neighborhood to the nearby JFK/UMass MBTA Red Line station. Nordblom will reveal additional details of the 135 Morrissey proposal in a Project Notification Form (PNF) filing in the coming months.

Interior renderings of 345 Harrison luxury apartments in South End, opening early 2018, revealed

Developer UDR has revealed renderings of residences and amenity spaces at 345 Harrison, a new 585-unit South End luxury apartment community with 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail slated to open in early 2018. 345 Harrison will offer residents exclusive amenities including a 13th floor Sky Lounge with sweeping views of the Boston skyline featuring an indoor lounge and an outdoor roof deck with a fireplace and sweeping views; an outdoor, resort-style rooftop pool; and a 4,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga room. Residences at 345 Harrison will feature custom finishes with “sleek, contemporary designs and cinematic views” per UDR. The latest renderings of 345 Harrison are posted above.

Widett Circle seafood vendors propose new South Boston Waterfront facility

After listing their longtime home at Widett Circle in South Boston for sale, the seafood vendors of New Boston Food Market, in conjunction with Boston Global Investors, propose to construct a new 79,000-square-foot multi-tenant facility for seafood processing, storage and refrigeration on the South Boston Waterfront. The proposed building would be a two-story, light industrial building of approximately 56,000 gross square feet on the first floor, with an office mezzanine area on the second floor of approximately 23,000 gross square feet. The building would be constructed on the vacant Parcel M of the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park, located at 3 Dolphin Way. The proponents have filed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) to construct the proposed facility and anticipate filing a Project Notification Form (PNF) for the project upon completion of negotiations with the BPDA, Parcel M’s owner, for a ground lease.

BPDA approves renovation and expansion of Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine in South End

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) approved the renovation and expansion of Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) in the South End at last Thursday’s board meeting. The existing 7-story, 84,200-square-foot GSDM building will be renovated, and a new 7-story, 41,900-square-foot addition will be constructed, expanding the GSDM’s total floor area to 126,100 square feet. The expanded GSDM will include office, instructional, clinical and student collaborative spaces. Construction of the project is expected to commence in early January 2018, starting with construction of the addition followed by renovation of the existing building. Completion of the project is expected in Spring 2021. The project will require additional approval by the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in order to proceed with construction.

Plans unveiled for former Boston Globe headquarters in Dorchester

Developer Nordblom Company, who has an agreement in place to acquire the 16.5-acre former Boston Globe headquarters at 135 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester, plans to transform the existing three-story building into a hub for high-tech jobs. Existing structures would be retrofitted for new uses including large labs and offices for robotics, life sciences and high tech manufacturing. Per a Dorchester Reporter report, MassRobotics and Cambridge Innovation Center are interested in opening a joint workspace at 135 Morrissey Boulevard.

Some smaller outbuildings would be removed from the existing 815,000-square-foot 135 Morrissey Boulevard building, resulting in 690,000 square feet of available space. A portion of the property would become a micro craft brewery with a food component. As part of the project, a multi-use path would be created around the site, renovating the underutilized adjacent Patten’s Cove park. Nordblom’s deal to acquire 135 Morrissey Boulevard is expected to close in mid-November. The latest details and renderings of the proposed project are posted above.

Abbey Group reveals plans for 1.6-million-square-foot Exchange South End commercial development

The Abbey Group has revealed its’ plans to redevelop the 5.6-acre Boston Flower Exchange site in the South End into Exchange South End, a commercial, technology, and life science research hub totaling nearly 1.6 million square feet. Pegged at $600 million and representing an over $1 billion total investment in the South End neighborhood, The Abbey Group’s proposed development would feature four new buildings up to 20 stories and 282 feet tall, featuring 1,481,350 square feet of commercial space in addition to 42,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space and 30,000 square feet of civic and incubator space.

Over one acre of public open space would be constructed at Exchange South End. Construction of the Exchange South End’s first phase, which would construct two buildings, would start in Fall 2018 and last approximately two years. Additional buildings would be constructed based upon demand. The Abbey Group has filed plans for Exchange South End with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), who is now reviewing the proposed project.

CIM Group acquires 321 Harrison Avenue in South End, site of approved office development, for $114.2 million

Los Angeles, CA-based CIM Group has acquired 321 Harrison Avenue in the South End’s New York Streets neighborhood, site of an existing 11-story, 235,000-square-foot office building and three-story, 300-car garage as well as an approved eight-story, 232,500 square foot office development, for $114.2 million in cash. 321 Harrison Avenue’s seller is a partnership of Nordblom Company and Rubinstein Partners, who received approval in 2016 to construct the eight-story office development atop the garage as well as 2,500 square feet of retail or gallery space along the garage's ground floor. Nordblom remains a stakeholder in 321 Harrison Avenue and will continue to manage the property.

CIM Group has made a series of major acquisitions in Boston since 2016, most recently acquiring the 826-space 200 Stuart Street Garage in Bay Village, which serves the Revere Hotel, for $95 million and jointly acquiring 2.16 acres of developable land in the Fenway neighborhood with Cabot, Cabot & Forbes for $51 million. CIM Group also acquired the 1,037-space Motor Mart Garage, located across from the 200 Stuart Street Garage, for $162.5 million in October 2016, and 95 Berkeley Street, a 114,000-square-foot South End office building, for $43 million in March 2016.

Millennium drops proposed Winthrop Square tower height due to flight path concerns

In light of concerns regarding flight paths to and from Logan Airport, Millennium Partners has dropped the height of its' proposed Winthrop Square tower from 775 feet to 702. The 775-foot-tall tower would have stood in the path of a major airport runway, diverting planes to other runways and decreasing Logan Airport's efficiency. “We will not be proposing a building that has any impact on flight paths in or out of Logan International Airport,” said Millennium Partners Principal Joe Larkin in a Boston Globe interview.

The height reduction, likely five to seven floors, will likely be taken from the tower's office component as opposed to condominiums; Millennium Partners' $153 million payment to the City of Boston to acquire the Winthrop Square Garage site is partly contingent upon condominium sales. The tower could be made wider in order to compensate for the height loss. With the decreased height, the proposed tower would likely cause shorter shadows upon Boston Common and the Public Garden, a controversial consequence of the previously proposed 775-foot tower. However, added tower width could result in its' own shadow impact. Millennium Partners plans to reveal updated tower plans this Fall.

New England Conservatory completes $85 million Student Life and Performance Center

New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) has completed its’ new $85 million, 135,000-square-foot Student Life and Performance Center (SLPC), located on St. Botolph Street in the Fenway. The building will be fully occupied starting this Fall, and will feature educational and theatrical space along with housing for approximately 252 students, doubling NEC’s on-campus housing capacity. The SLPC’s opening marks NEC’s 150th anniversary; the building will be officially dedicated at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, September 14th at 11 AM. The contemporary 10-story building features terra cotta tile with broad expanses of glass, showcasing NEC’s programs and performances. The SLPC is designed to foster collaboration, spark creativity and nurture a student community, featuring multiple new common spaces including a raised stage to support student-led ensemble performances, a two-level library consolidating NEC’s print material and audio resources collection in a central, accessible location and a new black box theater. The following are photographs of the SLPC:

Construction starting on 710,000-square-foot Harrison Albany Block development in South End

Initial demolition work to make way for the 710,000-square-foot Harrison Albany Block mixed-use development in the South End is scheduled to begin this Tuesday (August 22nd). Three existing buildings will be demolished over three weeks, after which work will begin on the foundation of the development’s first phase. The foundation will feature a slurry wall, eliminating the need for noisy driving of piles or foundation sheets in the residential neighborhood. Slurry wall work is expected to commence in November. Suffolk Construction will be Harrison Albany Block’s general contractor.

Phase 1 of Harrison Albany Block, which will construct the first of two new 11-story buildings, will take 28 months to construct. Construction of the second 11-story building, Phase 2 of the project, could commence in the middle of Phase 1 depending upon market conditions. Two existing buildings at 575 Albany Street and 660 Harrison Avenue (Gambro Building) will be retained and improved as part of Harrison Albany Block. In total, the development will feature approximately 650 apartment residences, 80,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.

New conference and meeting center proposed in Kendall Square, preserving and expanding existing warehouse

Alexandria Real Estate Equities proposes to restore and expand an existing three-story, 12,654-square-foot historic brick warehouse in Kendall Square, located at 41 Linskey Way adjacent to the 100 Binney Street development, constructing a new four-story, 28,505-square-foot conference and meeting center with two restaurants. The conference and meeting center would span 41 Linskey Way’s second and third floors, with restaurants on the building’s first and fourth floors; the fourth floor restaurant would feature a roof deck with outdoor seating. On 41 Linskey Way’s ground floor would be a public transportation hub featuring waiting areas and information about nearby transit and car-sharing programs. Alexandria has filed plans for 41 Linskey Way with the City of Cambridge, who is now reviewing the proposed project.

General Electric takes two-phase construction approach to Fort Point headquarters, completion pushed to 2021

General Electric will now construct its’ Fort Point headquarters in two phases, pushing full completion of the project to 2021. Renovation of the two existing brick warehouses at 5 and 6 Necco Court, now dubbed “North Point”, by Consigli Construction is on schedule for delivery in the first half of 2019. Construction of the new 12-story office building, now dubbed “South Point”, by Suffolk Construction on a former section of the Procter & Gamble parking lot along Fort Point Channel is now scheduled for completion in mid-2021, along with new public open space along Fort Point Channel.

The simultaneous renovation of the warehouse and construction of the office building was reportedly deemed too costly, which caused GE to take the cheaper two-phased approach instead. The decision follows John Flannery assuming the role of CEO at GE last week, and Flannery’s subsequent announcement that he would review all of GE’s operations in order to cut costs. “As with any construction project of this scope and complexity, we have been periodically reviewing the schedule and budget. Based on that review, we have decided that it makes more sense and is more cost-effective to construct the campus in two phases,” said Ann Klee, GE’s Vice President of Boston Development and Operations, in a prepared statement. The renovated warehouses will have capacity for approximately 300 employees; the new building will house an additional approximately 500 employees, for a total of approximately 800 employees across the headquarters at completion.

Nordblom acquiring 16.5-acre Boston Globe headquarters in Dorchester

Local real estate developer Nordblom Company will reportedly acquire the 16.5-acre former Boston Globe headquarters site at 135 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester. The Boston Globe and Nordblom reportedly signed an agreement for the acquisition this past Tuesday, August 1st; the deal will likely close this Fall. Development plans for the site have not yet been revealed. A vacant three-story, 815,000-square-foot building currently stands on the site, with the site's remainder comprised of surface parking. The Boston Globe has moved its' operations to a 75,000-square-foot office at Exchange Place in the Financial District, and its' printing and distribution to a 330,000-square-foot industrial building in Taunton.

Facade installation underway at 345 Harrison apartments in South End

The multifaceted brick, metal panel and glass curtain wall facade of 345 Harrison's east tower has been nearly fully installed. Inside the building, metal studs have been erected to partition individual apartment residences, allowing for interior finishing to begin in the coming months. Throughout the recently topped off west tower, concrete floors are being poured on upper floors and fireproofing is being sprayed on completed lower levels. Installation of the west tower's facade will begin in the coming months. 345 Harrison will open in early 2018 and will feature 585 luxurious apartment residences with 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following are photographs of 345 Harrison:

Proposed Winthrop Square tower moves forward with Governor’s approval of revised shadow laws

Governor Charlie Baker has approved revisions to state laws that limit casting shadows on Boston Common and the Public Garden, allowing Millennium Partners’ proposed $1.02 billion, 775-foot-tall Winthrop Square tower in the Financial District to move forward with Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) review. Under the revised law, which replaces a law that banned constructing buildings that cast shadows on the parks during the day, Millennium Partners will be able to build the tower pending BPDA approval.

The previous law only allowed new buildings to cast shadows on the parks either during the first hour after sunrise or before 7 AM, whichever was later, or during the last hour before sunset. Under the new law, which makes an exemption for Millennium Partners’ proposed tower, a shadow bank for new buildings in the Midtown Cultural District, which would have allowed for new shadows to be cast on the parks after 10 AM, has been eliminated, limiting height of future buildings in the neighborhood. Millennium Partners’ proposed Winthrop Square tower would cast no more than 90 minutes of shadows across part of Boston Common on the morning of September 10th, and no more than 26 minutes of shadows across the Public Garden on the morning of August 24th, with shorter shadows cast across the parks throughout the rest of the year.

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the BPDA both expressed support for the revised law, officially dubbed “An Act protecting sunlight and promoting economic development in the City of Boston.” “This common sense change will better protect the Boston Common and Boston Public Garden for years to come, while allowing a project that will generate hundreds of millions of dollars for Boston’s neighborhoods, parks and public housing to move forward. We look forward to continuing to work with the many community stakeholders and local legislators as this project moves through the Article 80 process,” said BPDA Director Brian Golden in a prepared statement. In addition to BPDA approval, the proposed tower will also require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reach its’ proposed height of 775 feet tall.

Millennium Partners would pay the City of Boston a total of $153 million to acquire the Winthrop Square garage site. Mayor Walsh has pledged the money towards public space improvements, including to Boston Common, and creation of new affordable housing. Millennium Partners has also reached an agreement with the Friends of the Public Garden to pay $125,000 per year for 40 years towards parks improvements. Millennium Partners’ 775-foot-tall tower would feature 36 floors of luxury condominium residences above 14 floors of office space and a 65-foot-tall ground-floor public "Great Hall" lined with three levels of retail. The proponent aims to break ground on the tower in 2018.

Structural framing nearing completion, weatherproofing underway at PORT 45 luxury condos in South Boston

Framing of PORT 45’s five-story structure is nearing completion, and the first windows and weatherproofing sections have been installed. PORT 45’s first balconies have been fitted along the building’s facade. Inside the building, framing of individual residences is underway, and concrete is being poured to construct floors. PORT 45’s 105 one-to-three-bedroom luxury condominiums are 65%-reserved and will feature desirable amenities including concierge service, a gym and private indoor and outdoor common spaces. PORT 45 residences are on sale ranging from $599,000 to $1.5 million; approximately 3,400 square feet of ground-floor retail at the building will be available as well. The following are photographs of PORT 45:

345 Harrison mixed-use development in South End tops off

A topping-off ceremony was held last Wednesday (July 12th) for 345 Harrison, an upcoming mixed-use development in the South End featuring 585 apartment residences and 40,000 square feet of retail. The two-building development has topped off at 14 stories tall and is on schedule to open in early 2018. Located across from the Ink Block development and steps from multiple new and planned buildings, 345 Harrison is set to further activate a rapidly-growing corner of the South End with increased residential presence and a walkable, engaging streetscape. “The owner and architect took an innovative approach to this ultra-urban site by creating ground level open spaces that extend under building elements many floors above and connect to the public streets,” said Mark Junghans, Principal and Managing Director of the Boston office of 345 Harrison engineer VHB. “It gives it the feeling of a village space and creates the perfect spot for restaurants, sidewalk cafes and passive spaces for the residents and public alike.” The following is a photograph from the 345 Harrison topping-off ceremony, courtesy VHB:

Interior finishing underway at 728 East Broadway, new South Boston condominiums

All bricks and exterior finish panels have been installed along 728 East Broadway's facade, and finishing of the building's 18 condominium residences and common spaces is now underway. All windows have been installed along the building's facade; the building is fully weather-tight. A glass curtain wall will soon be installed along 728 East Broadway's ground-floor retail space, which will total 6,400 square feet. The following are photographs of 728 East Broadway:

212 Stuart Street, 19-story tower featuring 133 apartments and ground-floor retail, approved in Bay Village

212 Stuart Street, a new mixed-use tower located in Bay Village featuring 133 apartment residences and 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, was approved at last night (June 15th, 2017)’s Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board Meeting. Resident amenities at 212 Stuart Street will include an outdoor landscaped rooftop deck with a southern exposure and sweeping city views, in addition to common space. 11 residences at 212 Stuart Street will be designated affordable; developer Transom Real Estate will also make a $3,309,507 contribution towards the creation of affordable housing in Boston. As part of the 212 Stuart Street project, public realm improvements will be made to the adjacent Church Street public plaza. 212 Stuart Street will require additional approval by the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in order to proceed with construction.

Beach House waterfront luxury apartments in Revere near full framing, exterior finishing begins

The south wing of Beach House, a new 234-unit luxury apartment building overlooking picturesque Revere Beach, has been fully framed, with weatherproofing, windows and balconies all installed. The building's north wing is now being framed with wooden panels and has reached the future six-story building's second floor. Beach House will feature luxurious amenities including a rooftop pool and terrace with scenic ocean views, a state-of-the-art gym and a movie room. The following are photographs of Beach House:

Exterior finishing underway at 345 Harrison, upcoming South End luxury apartments

The east building at 345 Harrison has topped off at 14 stories tall, and installation of the building’s exterior facade is well underway. Brick and metal exterior finish panels have been installed up to the east building’s top floor at sections. Finishes, in addition to windows, are nearly fully installed along the east building's base facing Harrison Avenue. Remaining sections of the east building are now being weatherproofed. Construction of the steel frame of 345 Harrison’s west building along Washington Street is well underway, and has risen to as high as seven stories at sections. Opening in early 2018, 343 Harrison will feature 585 apartment residences with 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following are photographs of 345 Harrison:

Wood framing underway at PORT45, new South Boston luxury condos now on sale

Framing of PORT45’s five-story superstructure is well underway and has reached full height along A Street. The building's steel base has been fully framed, with the concrete foundation fully poured. Installation of prefabricated wood panels is underway above the base in order to frame PORT45's 105 contemporary luxury condominium residences, which are on sale and 60%-reserved. Located in South Boston steps to Broadway Station, the South End, the Seaport District and Downtown Boston, PORT45 will feature residences ranging from one to three-plus bedrooms, in addition to 3,400 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following are photographs of PORT45:

GE unveils adaptive reuse plans for historic pedestrian bridge at Innovation Point

General Electric (GE) has unveiled plans for the adaptive reuse of the four-story historic pedestrian bridge over Necco Court at Innovation Point, GE's upcoming headquarters campus in Fort Point. The bridge will be converted into four lounges and quiet workspaces for GE employees. GE will restore the bridge’s existing green metal wall on the east site of the bridge facing Fort Point. A new glass facade will be installed along the west side of the bridge facing Fort Point Channel and Downtown Boston, providing natural lighting for the lounges and workspaces. By restoring the bridge, GE is preserving Fort Point’s industrial heritage for years to come. The Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission is now reviewing GE’s plans for the bridge. The following is a rendering of the restored bridge:

Boston University proposes renovation and expansion for Goldman School of Dental Medicine in South End

Boston University proposes to renovate its' existing Goldman School of Dental Medicine in the South End and construct a new 41,900-square-foot addition, expanding the building's total area to 126,100 square feet. The university has filed plans for the project with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), who is now reviewing the proposal.

Developer backs out of deal to acquire 16.5-acre Boston Globe headquarters in Dorchester

Center Court Properties has reportedly backed out of a deal to acquire the 16.5-acre Boston Globe headquarters in Dorchester for over $80 million. “We’re enthusiastic about exploring other possibilities,” said Globe Chief Operating Officer Sean Keohan in the Globe's report. Center Court's abandonment of the deal follows Winstanley Enterprises pulling out of its' agreement to acquire the Globe property in 2015. The Globe will still move forward with its' move to a new 75,000-square-foot office at Exchange Place in the Financial District this June.

General Electric breaks ground on new Boston headquarters

General Electric has broken ground on Innovation Point, its’ new $200 million, 390,000-square-foot headquarters campus located on the banks of Fort Point Channel in the heart of Boston’s Innovation District. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Innovation Point on Monday (May 8th, 2017), with speakers including Jeff Immelt, GE’s Chairman and CEO, Ann Klee, GE’s Vice President of Environment, Health & Safety and Boston Development and Operations head, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh.

At Monday’s ceremony, GE announced that it will contribute $50 million towards Boston Public Schools, opioid addiction and other community causes. Mayor Walsh also announced that, over the next 25 years, GE will increase city taxes by $67 million. "This is a big day and a big statement, and one more step forward in the continuing evolution of Massachusetts as a global player on so many fronts and in so many ways," said Governor Baker.

Approximately 800 GE employees are expected to work at Innovation Point, and construction of the campus will generate approximately 1,500 jobs. State and city government officials offered GE $145 million in incentives to relocate its’ headquarters to Boston. Boston’s “great innovation ecosystem, huge talent pool, great leadership and wonderful quality of life” made the city an “obvious choice” for GE, said Klee. “What we're bringing here together is one of the country's oldest companies, in GE, has moved its headquarters to one of the country's oldest cities, in Boston, for the purpose of creating the future,” said Immelt.

Pictures from GE’s groundbreaking ceremony are posted below, and newly revealed renderings of Innovation Point are posted above.

Finishing touches underway at New England Conservatory’s new Student Life and Performance Center

Finishing touches are being made to the interior and exterior of the New England Conservatory (NEC)’s new Student Life and Performance Center (SLPC) in the Fenway in anticipation of the building’s opening in time for the start of the Fall term. The SLPC will provide the NEC with new state-of-the-art educational and theatrical space and housing for approximately 252 students. The following are photographs of New England Conservatory Student Life and Performance Center:

City Council approves 775-foot-tall Winthrop Square tower

Boston’s City Council voted Wednesday to approve Millennium Partners’ proposal to build a $1.02 billion, 775-foot-tall tower on the site of the shuttered Winthrop Square Garage in the heart of the Financial District. The tower, which would be Boston’s third-tallest, was approved by a 10-3 margin.

Because the proposed tower would cast a new shadow on Boston Common and the Public Garden, the tower will also require approval from Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the State Legislature and Governor Charlie Baker. Mayor Walsh has expressed support for Millennium’s proposal. Shadow coverage would be no more than 90 minutes across part of Boston Common on the morning of September 10th, and no more than 26 minutes across the Public Garden on the morning of August 24th; shorter shadows would be cast across the parks the rest of the year.

Millennium’s proposal calls for 36 floors of luxury condominium residences above 14 floors of office space and a 65-foot-tall ground-floor public "Great Hall" lined with three levels of retail. Millennium would pay the City of Boston a total of $153 million to acquire the garage site.

Archdiocese, WS Development swap Seaport District chapels, investing $25 million in neighborhood

The Archdiocese of Boston and WS Development have swapped ownership of the old and new Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapels in the Seaport District, allowing for development of the old chapel site on Northern Avenue and ensuring the chapel’s continued presence in the Seaport District with the newly completed Seaport Boulevard house of worship. The swap represents a total investment of nearly $25 million in the Seaport District. WS Development acquired the 0.85-acre Northern Avenue site from the Archdiocese for $17,952,490, or $21,120,576.50 per acre. The Northern Avenue chapel will be demolished in the coming months to make way for a 499,400 square foot mixed-use building featuring 425,000 square feet of office/research space atop 69,400 square feet of retail, 4,000 square feet of cultural/educational space and underground parking. The Archdiocese acquired the 6,200 square foot new chapel from WS Development for $6,952,490, or $1,121.37 per square foot. The new chapel will officially open this Sunday (April 23rd, 2017).

345 Harrison apartments in South End reach full height

345 Harrison’s east tower along Harrison Avenue has reached its’ full height of 14 stories and will soon top off in full. The concrete elevator core of the west tower along Washington Street has reached its’ full height; construction of the west tower’s steel frame will commence imminently. Two active tower cranes now stand in place over the 345 Harrison site. Opening in early 2018, 345 Harrison will feature 585 apartment residences with 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following are photographs of 345 Harrison:

New Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel in Seaport District opening this month

The new Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel in the Seaport District is finished and will open this month on St. George’s Day (Sunday, April 23rd). The new 250-seat chapel, located at 51 Seaport Boulevard, will replace the current chapel on Seaport Square Block D, freeing the approximately 0.85-acre parcel for development and ensuring the presence of a place of worship in the Seaport District for years to come.

Following the new chapel’s opening, the former chapel will be demolished to make way for future development. The most recent preliminary development plans for Block D, detailed in proponent WS Development’s Notice of Project Change (NPC) for Seaport Square submitted to the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) in February 2017, call for a 499,400 square foot mixed-use building featuring 425,000 square feet of office/research space atop 69,400 square feet of retail, 4,000 square feet of cultural/educational space and underground parking. In conjunction with Block D’s development, a new head house for the Silver Line rapid transit service will be constructed at the corner of Seaport Boulevard and Seaport Common with direct visual and pedestrian access to Boston Harbor, promoting public access to the waterfront. A new street connecting Seaport Boulevard and Northern Avenue, Pier Street, will also be constructed. Completion of the Block D development is expected in 2020. Detailed plans and renderings for this development have not yet been revealed.

The following are photographs of the new Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel:

Initial demolition underway at General Electric Headquarters in Fort Point, groundbreaking set for May 8th

Interior demolition is underway at the two long-abandoned historic Necco Court warehouses that will become part of General Electric (GE)’s new $200 million Fort Point headquarters. An official groundbreaking for GE’s 390,000 square foot headquarters is set for May 8th. GE will fully restore the two existing warehouses and construct a new 12-story, 293,000 square foot building topped off by a sweeping solar panel on the adjacent parking lot. The new headquarters will be occupied by approximately 800 GE employees. As part of the project, approximately 1.5 acres of public space, as well as a ground-floor coffee bar and waterfront restaurant, will be constructed. Full completion of GE’s headquarters is expected by early 2019; completion of the restoration of the existing warehouses is expected by mid-2018. The following are photographs of the General Electric Headquarters site:

1.6 million square foot office and retail hub envisioned at South End's Boston Flower Exchange

Developer The Abbey Group has unveiled preliminary development plans for the 5.5-acre Boston Flower Exchange site in the South End. Per a Boston Globe report, The Abbey Group presented a vision for four lab and office buildings with ground-floor retail and restaurant space oriented about "Albany Green", a 1-acre "European [public] plaza", at a Wednesday night community meeting this week; a newly revealed rendering is posted above.

The Boston Flower Exchange project, which would total approximately 1.6 million square feet and rise about 200 feet, would also construct a new cultural center and improve the nearby South Bay Harbor Trail. “We want to extend public space across the entire ground floor of the project”, said Abbey Group Managing Partner Bill Keravuori. The Abbey Group has not yet filed plans for the project with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA).

Waterfront restaurant nears completion at East Boston’s The Eddy, luxury apartments now leasing

Interior fit out of Reel House, the upcoming 5,000 square foot waterfront seafood restaurant at The Eddy in East Boston, is nearly complete in advance of Reel House’s opening this Spring. Reel House will serve a “globally coastal seafood menu” and will feature a dining area with seating for over 200 people, two mahogany bars and a large outdoor patio. Sweeping views of the Boston skyline will be visible throughout the Reel House space.

Luxury apartment residences are now leasing at The Eddy. With unparalleled resident amenities including a top-floor roof deck with sweeping views, a second-floor pool deck with a fire pit and barbecues, a fitness center and a communal lounge space as well as the upcoming Reel House restaurant, The Eddy will conveniently enable a live, work and play lifestyle. For more information about leasing apartments at The Eddy and to schedule a private showing, please call 866-318-2748 or click Contact Broker above. The following are photographs of The Eddy and the upcoming Reel House restaurant:

Harrison Albany Block, 700,000 square foot mixed-use development, approved in South End

Harrison Albany Block, a new 4-building mixed-use development featuring approximately 650 residential units and 80,000 square feet of office space in addition to ground-floor retail, was approved at last Thursday (March 2nd)’s Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board Meeting. The development team anticipates to start construction of the project in the second quarter of this year.

Wood framing underway at Revere Beach's Beach House luxury apartments

Wood framing of Beach House's 6-story structure has begun, with the building's first floor concrete base nearly fully poured. At Beach House's south end, wood framing has reached the building's 5th floor, and the base is fully poured. Concrete pouring is wrapping up at Beach House's north end, and wood framing will begin thereafter. When complete, Beach House will feature 234 luxury apartment residences fronting Revere Beach featuring sweeping ocean views. The following is a photograph of Beach House:

Exterior finishing underway at 728 East Broadway condominiums in South Boston

Windows have been installed across 728 East Broadway's facade, and exterior wood framing is being weatherproofed in preparation for installation of finish panels. Located in the heart of South Boston, 728 East Broadway will feature 18 condominium residences and 6,400 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following are photographs of 728 East Broadway:

Facade complete, interior finishing underway at New England Conservatory Student Life and Performance Center

All facade finishes and windows have been installed at the New England Conservatory (NEC)'s new 135,000 square foot Student Life and Performance Center (SLPC) in the Fenway, and fit out of interior spaces is underway. The SLPC is expected to open in the coming months and will feature new educational and theatrical space as well as housing for approximately 252 students. The following is a photograph of the SLPC:

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Reel House, globally-inspired waterfront seafood restaurant, opening at The Eddy in East Boston this spring

Reel House, a new waterfront restaurant featuring a "globally coastal seafood menu," will open this spring at The Eddy, the East Boston Waterfront's newest luxury building. Led by award-winning Executive Chef Marc Orfaly and owned by Navy Yard Hospitality Group, Reel House will serve a distinctive seafood menu with "a fusion of flavors" and "approachable plates" inspired by worldwide waterfront cuisines.

Designed by Sousa Design Architects, Reel House's 5,000 square foot waterfront space overlooking Boston Harbor will be open 7 days a week for lunch, brunch and dinner. The space will accommodate over 200 seated diners across a main dining room, 2 mahogany bars and a large outdoor patio facing the Boston skyline. A complimentary boat shuttle will connect Reel House and The Eddy to the Charlestown Navy Yard and Navy Yard Hospitality Group's Pier 6 waterfront restaurant. Visit ReelHouseBoston.com for more information about Reel House.

Luxury apartment residences are now leasing at The Eddy. In addition to the upcoming Reel House restaurant, Eddy residents have access to amenities including a top-floor roof deck with unparalleled views of the Boston skyline and Boston Harbor, a second-floor pool deck and more. Click "Contact Broker" above or call 617-561-9600 for more information about leasing apartments at The Eddy. The following are renderings of the Reel House restaurant space:

345 Harrison in South End nears topping off

Framing of 345 Harrison's 14-story steel superstructure has reached the mixed-use development's 10th floor and is rising rapidly. Both of 345 Harrison's elevator cores have now reached their full height. Pouring of concrete floors has commenced at 345 Harrison's base. Opening in early 2018, 345 Harrison will feature 585 residential apartments with 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following are photographs of 345 Harrison:

Hotel developer acquires approved Loftel Boston site for $14.75 million

Hotel developer Boston Trade International, owned by brothers Pravin and Sudhir Patel, has acquired the approved Loftel Boston site in East Boston for $14.75 million as recorded in the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds. A 75,000 square foot boutique hotel is approved for construction on the site and will incorporate an existing gutted historic industrial building. The site last sold in October 2013 for $2.1 million prior to the hotel's approval. Boston Trade has acquired $10.3 million of financing for the hotel project through Northern Bank & Trust Company.

Revised renderings revealed of 321 Harrison Avenue office building in South End

The facade of the approved 321 Harrison Avenue office development in the South End has been revised to incorporate a striking glass curtain wall. The curtain wall subtly nods to the building’s address, featuring the Roman numerals “III II I” shaped in glass facing the Massachusetts Turnpike. 321 Harrison Avenue presents the opportunity for prime visibility for an office tenant and is located in the heart of the South End’s New York Streets neighborhood across from the Ink Block development. Construction of 321 Harrison Avenue is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2017. The latest 321 Harrison Avenue renderings can be found above.

Dorchester’s DotBlock obtains financial backing, could break ground this summer

Investment group Wintergold LLC is financially backing the approved 388,400 square foot DotBlock mixed-use development in Dorchester. Wintergold has acquired the approximately 4-acre DotBlock site at the corner of Hancock and Pleasant Streets for $19.1 million and also acquired an adjacent 1/4-acre parcel for $1.9 million. DotBlock developer Atlas Investment Group will remain involved with the project’s design and construction. The development team is reportedly in conversations with the owners of adjacent parcels to acquire the properties and expand DotBlock. The team hopes to start construction of DotBlock in Summer 2017.

Fit out underway for waterfront restaurant opening Spring 2017 at The Eddy

Interior fit out work is underway for Navy Yard Hospitality Group and Chef Marc Orfaly’s waterfront destination restaurant opening Spring 2017 at the iconic new Eddy apartment building in East Boston. The restaurant will be located on The Eddy’s ground floor and will feature sweeping views of Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline. Open since Fall 2016, The Eddy features 258 luxury residential apartments with picturesque views. Call 855-534-3833 for information about leasing apartments at The Eddy. The following are photographs of The Eddy:

New Bay Village residential tower renderings released

Developer Transom Real Estate has released new renderings of the proposed 19-story 212 Stuart Street apartment tower in Bay Village. The new renderings released provide perspectives of the tower’s ground floor and massing along Stuart Street. The latest 212 Stuart Street renderings are posted above.

Foundation work underway at South Boston's Port 45 condominiums

Foundation work is well underway at South Boston’s Port 45 condominium and retail building, with concrete poured along large excavated sections of the foundation wall. Steel grating has been loaded on site for additional concrete pouring to complete the foundation. Excavation is also underway to prepare for construction of Port 45’s below-grade parking structure. The following are photographs of the Port 45 site:

General Electric Headquarters Fort Point land sale closes for $83 million

General Electric and MassDevelopment closed Friday (December 16th) for $83 million on the acquisition of the 2.5-acre future site of General Electric’s $200 million headquarters in Fort Point. The site was sold in two separate transactions.

MassDevelopment paid $57.4 million to acquire the historic warehouses at 5 and 6 Necco Court, which will be renovated and incorporated into the future headquarters facility. MassDevelopment's acquisition is part of the State of Massachusetts' $120 million incentive that is being used to build General Electric's headquarters. MassDevelopment also closed Friday on $90 million of financing through Citizens Bank, which will be used to acquire and renovate the Necco Court warehouses.

General Electric paid $25.6 million to acquire the remaining land on which a new 12-story, 293,000 square foot building will be constructed. General Electric’s new facility will total 390,000 square feet. It was also announced Friday that Suffolk Construction will be the facility’s construction manager.

Superstructure rising at South End’s 345 Harrison

Construction of 345 Harrison’s 14-story superstructure is well underway for both of the mixed-use development’s buildings. The northeast concrete elevator core has topped off, and the final story of the northwest core nears completion. Steel framing has reached 345 Harrison’s second floor and continues to progress quickly across the development site. 345 Harrison is expected to open in early 2018. Retail space at 345 Harrison is now leasing. The following are photographs of 345 Harrison:

Former Related Beal executives propose 19-story Bay Village apartment tower

Transom Real Estate, a newly formed real estate development entity comprised of three former Related Beal executives, proposes to construct a 19-story apartment tower in Bay Village. The tower, 212 Stuart Street, would feature 131 residential apartments with 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The development team has submitted a Project Notification Form (PNF) for 212 Stuart Street to the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA). 212 Stuart Street is now under official review.

Over 40% of Port 45 condos reserved pre-construction

Over 40% of future condominiums at Port 45, a 105-unit condominium development in South Boston featuring “sleek and contemporary homes,” have been reserved pre-construction per an update from the sales team. Initial site work is now underway at Port 45; the building is anticipated to open in Late Fall 2017:

Enjoy luxurious waterfront living with sweeping skyline views at The Eddy

The Eddy, a luxurious new 258-unit waterfront apartment tower overlooking the Boston skyline, is now leasing. Eddy residents will enjoy amenities including a waterfront resident lounge graced with exquisite artwork, a panoramic furnished roof deck and sweeping skyline views from every corner. A new waterside restaurant will open at The Eddy in Spring 2017. Call 855-534-3833 for more information about leasing apartments at The Eddy and to schedule a tour of the building. The following are photographs of the Eddy roof deck:

The following are photographs of an apartment at The Eddy:

The following are photographs of amenities at The Eddy:

The following are exterior photographs of The Eddy:

BPDA designates Millennium Partners as Winthrop Square Garage developer

At last night's board meeting, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) officially tentatively designated Millennium Partners as the developer of the Winthrop Square Garage in the Financial District. Millennium Partners will pay the BPDA about $153 million for the Winthrop Square site, including $10 million upfront for the site, $92 million when a building permit is obtained and approximately $51 million when condominium closings commence.

Millennium Partners expects to break ground at Winthrop Square by September or October 2017, The Boston Globe reports. “We’re eager to get going,” says Millennium Partners executive Joe Larkin. The BPDA selected Millennium Partners as the Garage's developer in August 2016 from a pool of six contestants. Millennium Partners' proposal will now undergo official review for construction approval.

BPDA approves General Electric Headquarters

At last night's board meeting, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) approved the $200 million General Electric (GE) Headquarters project in Fort Point. Pending zoning and environmental approvals, GE's new headquarters is expected to break ground in Early 2017 and open at least partially in 2018, The Boston Globe reports.

Port 45 condos hit market starting at $599K, new renderings released

Condominiums at Port 45, a 105-unit condominium development in South Boston, have been listed for sale pre-construction starting at $599,000 for a 658 square foot one-bedroom/one-bathroom unit. Prices will continue to $1.5 million for a three-plus bedroom unit. Six condominiums are currently listed for sale.

New renderings have been released of Port 45, located at 45 West Third Street steps to the Seaport District and Downtown Boston; these renderings can be found above. Expected completion of Port 45 is in Late Fall 2017. Visit Port45Boston.com for more information.

Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel nears Easter opening

Exterior finishes are fully installed at Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel, and interior finishing is underway. An anonymous source confirmed that the chapel is anticipated to open in April 2017 in time for Easter. The following are photographs of Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel:

Baystone Development secures $50 million construction financing for Beach House

Baystone Development has secured $50 million in construction financing through First Niagara Bank for Beach House, an under-construction 234-unit luxury apartment building fronting Revere Beach with sweeping ocean views. John Kelly, Kyle Juszczyszyn, Chris Coutts and Lenny Pierce of CBRE/New England arranged the financing with First Niagara Bank Senior Vice President David Yesue and Market Executive Doug MacLean.

“We are pleased to have assisted Baystone Development with the construction financing and look forward to the grand opening of this exciting new development,” noted Kelly of CBRE/New England in an interview with Boston Real Estate Times. "This new development should provide an attractive option to renters seeking a well-located and well-appointed home with great amenities at a discount to downtown Boston options,” said Yeuse of First Niagara Bank. The following is the mortgage for Beach House's construction financing as recorded in the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds:

Harrison Albany Block proposed height decreases, massing increases

The Harrison Albany Block development team has submitted a Draft Project Impact Report (DPIR) to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) for the proposed Harrison Albany Block mixed-use development project in Boston's South End with a revised development program and updated renderings; the following is a link to the DPIR. Most notably, the peak height of Harrison Albany Block, which would have been the tallest development in Boston's South End, has been reduced from 200 feet to 120 feet. The total development has increased from approximately 710,500 square feet to 722,000 square feet. Residential units have decreased from approximately 710 units to 687 units. Office space has increased from approximately 40,100 square feet to 76,800 square feet. Retail space has increased from approximately 14,100 square feet to 19,700 square feet. The number of proposed spaces in Harrison Albany Block's underground parking garage has decreased from approximately 745 spaces to 703 spaces.

The existing five-story 575 Albany Street, previously proposed to be renovated to include office space, would now include residential units along with a new five-story vertical addition. The existing three-story 660 Harrison Avenue (Gambro Building), previously proposed to be retained as is, would now be renovated and improved with an addition on the building's east side and a two-story vertical addition; 660 Harrison Avenue would continue to contain office space. Associated adjustments have also been made to the project's open space plan; proposed open space has increased from approximately 41,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet.

The development team anticipates that construction of Harrison Albany Block will commence in the second quarter of 2017. Improvement of 660 Harrison Avenue would occur in no less than seven years following expiration of existing leases. The following are renderings of Harrison Albany Block:

The following are elevations, sections and aerial views of Harrison Albany Block:

321 Harrison Avenue approved, construction could commence Q1 2017

At last night's board meeting, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) approved 321 Harrison Avenue for construction. Located in the South End’s New York Streets neighborhood across from Ink Block, 321 Harrison will be a new eight-story, 230,000 square foot office building that will be constructed above an existing three-story, 300 car garage, creating a new 11-story building. Retail or gallery space will be added to the ground floor of the existing garage. The garage's capacity will be reduced to 240 cars. Construction is anticipated to commence in the first quarter of 2017. Additional information about 321 Harrison Avenue can be found above.

345 Harrison elevator core rising, tower crane installed

345 Harrison’s one-level, 275-car underground parking garage along William Mullins Way has been fully excavated. A concrete elevator core is under construction at the garage’s base; the core has risen two stories above grade. A PERI Skydeck system is being used to frame concrete pouring to construct the core. A tower crane has been installed on site in anticipation of impending steel superstructure construction. Mockup finishes have been posted along Traveler Street as a preview of 345 Harrison’s future exterior.

A sheet pile wall has been driven along the garage’s perimeter, and concrete piles have been driven into the garage’s base for structural support. Concrete piles have also been driven at the Traveler Street end of the project site. Large concrete footings are being poured above concrete pile caps at the garage’s base.

345 Harrison will feature two buildings containing approximately 585 residential units and 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Resident amenities will include a 14th floor Sky Lounge with sweeping skyline views, a resort-style pool and a fully-equipped fitness center. Retail space at 345 Harrison is currently for lease, and residential unit pre-leasing is underway. Visit developer UDR’s 345 Harrison page for more information about residential unit pre-leasing. The following are photographs of the 345 Harrison site:

The Eddy, opening September on the East Boston Waterfront, ready to welcome residents

The Eddy, a 16-story, $135 million mixed-use tower on the East Boston Waterfront, is ready to welcome its first residents this coming month. Visit the Eddy website for residential leasing information. The Eddy will feature 258 studio, one and two-bedroom residences with a ground-floor waterfront destination restaurant operated by Navy Yard Hospitality Group and Chef Marc Orfaly. State-of-the-art residential unit finishes are designed in keeping with the building’s waterfront location, with blue kitchen tiles, an open floor plan and oversized windows throughout. With sweeping harbor and skyline views from every corner, and a particularly breathtaking vista from the top-floor communal roof deck, The Eddy is a uniquely positioned offering that is sure to be a great place to call home.

Matt Edlen, Director of Acquisitions and Development at Gerding Edlen, sees being able to invite people to experience the East Boston neighborhood as “a tremendous opportunity.” In addition to “very cool, show-stopping” water views that will be “a huge part” of the Eddy resident experience, explains Edlen in an interview with BLDUP, East Boston is “contextually is not the same [experience] you would find in Back Bay or downtown,” with unique culture, art and food and an inherent sense of community. Kelly Saito, a Partner at Gerding Edlen, notes in an interview with BLDUP that while East Boston “seems distant across [Boston Harbor], it is actually really well connected.” With Downtown Boston one subway stop away, Saito notes, East Boston is a “very viable place to live for downtown workers” that is close to, but outside of, downtown and surrounded by water, parks and beaches. “The most unique thing about [The Eddy] is the views,” explains Saito, but “the biggest surprise will be its’ convenience.”

The following are photographs of views from The Eddy’s top-floor roof deck:

The following are photographs of the Eddy building:

The following are photographs of a unit at The Eddy:

The following are photographs of the pool deck at The Eddy:

The following are photographs of the Harborwalk and waterfront park at The Eddy:

Demolition by J. Derenzo Companies complete at 45 West 3rd Street

J. Derenzo Companies’ JDC Demolition division has completely demolished the pre-existing industrial building at 45 West 3rd Street in South Boston. The construction team is clearing piles of scrap material and rubble from the construction site to prepare for excavation and foundation work. 45 West 3rd Street will be a four-story mixed-use building with approximately 105 residential units and 3,400 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Structural steel beams from the pre-existing industrial building have been set aside for salvaging. With the building demolished, J. Derenzo Companies will begin excavation of 45 West 3rd Street’s 109-space underground parking structure. The following are photographs of the 45 West 3rd Street site:

J. Derenzo Companies demolition rig

View from West 3rd Street

J. Derenzo Companies demolition rig

View from A Street

J. Derenzo Companies demolition rig

Salvaged structural steel beams

View from the rear of the site on Athens Street

View from the rear of the site on Athens Street

View from the rear of the site on Athens Street

View from West 3rd Street

More information about 45 West 3rd Street can be found below.

Millennium Partners selected to construct Winthrop Square tower

In an official release today, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and the City of Boston announced that Millennium Partners has been selected as the developer of the 115 Winthrop Square site and that negotiations for sale of the site will commence imminently; the following is a link to the release. Millennium Partners proposes to construct a 55-story, 750-foot tall tower containing 36 upper floors of condominiums across 612,000 square feet, 14 floors of office space across 442,400 square feet and a 65-foot high, 13,000 square foot ground-floor public "Great Hall" lined with three levels of retail. A 14,620 square foot startup accelerator would be built on the tower's second floor. Millennium Partners' tower would cost a total of approximately $1.02 billion to build. Per Millennium Partners' proposal submission, the firm has access to the approximately $331 million of equity required to develop the tower without a financial partner; the following is a link to the proposal submission. Construction of the tower could commence in summer of 2017, with initial occupancy in summer of 2020.

Millennium Partners was one of six contestants who vied to develop 115 Winthrop Square, the site of the long-shuttered Winthrop Square Garage, in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in March 2016; the following is a link to more information about the RFP and the six proposals submitted. Millennium Partners submitted a purchase price offer of approximately $150.8 million paid to the city to acquire the 115 Winthrop Square site, the highest offer received. The next highest offer was for $100 million; the following is a link to all six price offers for site acquisition. Per the BRA and the City of Boston's official release, Millennium Partners was selected based upon the following factors:

• Longstanding collaboration between the firm and Handel Architects, who designed Millennium Partners' RFP submission in addition to Millennium Tower and multiple other Millennium Partners projects
  

• Sustainable and environmentally-friendly design, as evidenced by the submission's targeted LEED Platinum certification. If achieved, Millennium Partners' tower at 115 Winthrop Square would be Boston's second LEED Platinum residential tower, the first being Atlantic Wharf.

• Public space improvements anchored by the ground-floor "Great Hall," which would host arts performances and community events and would be lined with multiple retail options.

• Dynamic uses in Downtown Boston including residential units, retail, office space and a startup accelerator.

• Benefits to the local economy including:
• Nearly 3,000 construction jobs
• Capacity for approximately 2,200 office workers and 390 retail and restaurant jobs
• Creation of approximately 82 building management and operations jobs
• Partnership with the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) for and contribution of $25 million towards creation of new affordable housing in Chinatown.

General Electric releases renderings and details for Boston headquarters

General Electric (GE) and development partner Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (MassDevelopment) today released renderings and details for GE's future Boston headquarters campus along Fort Point Channel in an Expanded Environmental Notification Form/Project Notification Form (EENF/EPNF) filed with the Boston Redevelopment Authority; the following is a link to the full EENF/EPNF. The Boston Business Journal reports that on August 22nd, approximately 175 GE employees will begin working at GE's temporary Boston headquarters facility at 33-41 Farnsworth Street in Fort Point. The following is a building section of GE's new campus showing intended uses:

Building Section w/ Intended Uses

The following is a graphic showing environmentally-friendly and sustainable features:

Campus Sustainability Elements

The following is a site plan showing proposed conditions:

Proposed conditions

New details and renderings for proposed Saint Gabriel's Monastery Redevelopment in Brighton

Developers Cabot, Cabot & Forbes and Peak Campus have submitted an Expanded Project Notification Form (EPNF) to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) with new details and renderings for the proposed 663,000 square foot redevelopment of the 11.6-acre Saint Gabriel's Monastery site in Brighton. The following is a link to the EPNF. Per the EPNF, approximately 679 rental residential apartments marketed to "graduate students, young professionals and other university affiliates such as residents, faculty and staff" would be constructed on site. The developers anticipate to start construction in mid-2017; construction would last approximately 24 months.

Apartments would range from studios to three-bedrooms and would be constructed across five buildings. The existing monastery building would be restored, and four new buildings would be constructed ranging from one to seven stories tall. The existing Pierce House fronting Washington Street would be restored and would contain one residential unit. A new building would also be constructed on site for the active Shrine to Our Lady of Fatima. The existing Saint Gabriel’s Church and dormitory structures would be demolished. The following is a site plan of the proposed Saint Gabriel's Monastery Redevelopment:

Resident amenities could include "a fitness center, indoor basketball court, common lounges, kitchens, games room, café, outdoor pool, outdoor grills, and a generous amount of hard and soft landscaped areas." A new public courtyard would be constructed on site providing "vistas of Boston and Cambridge." A total of approximately 7.3 acres of open space would be constructed, representing 62% of the Saint Gabriel's Monastery site. A total of approximately 395 parking spaces would be constructed on site. The following are renderings of the Saint Gabriel's Monastery Redevelopment; the project's architects are Cube3 Studio and Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype:

Aerial Perspective

View from Washington Street

Center Court Properties acquiring Boston Globe’s Dorchester headquarters

Banker & Tradesman reports that David Ridini of Center Court Properties, based in New York, will acquire The Boston Globe’s 16.5-acre Dorchester headquarters facility for approximately $80 million. The sale price would top the $70 million that John Henry paid to acquire The Boston Globe in 2013.

Ridini is a partner in JDMD Owner LLC, developer of the 71-unit Archer | Donahue condominium project on Beacon Hill approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority for construction this month. Ridini is also a partner in 171 Tremont LLC, developer of the 18-unit 171 Tremont Street condominium project in Downtown Crossing. Ridini is also a partner in CC Bunker Hill Owner LLC, who acquired the 52,944 square foot Bunker Hill Business Center at 440 Rutherford Avenue in Charlestown for $14.725 million in September 2015.

Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel exterior nearing completion, new cross installed

Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel's exterior is nearing completion, with brick finishes and slate roofing just about fully installed. Windows are installed as well, and a cross was lifted to the steeple's top in June. Work is now underway to prepare the Chapel's interior. The chapel, located at the gateway to Boston's Seaport District, could be completed this summer, with a possible Christmas opening. The following are photographs of Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel:

Chapel along Sleeper Street

Chapel along Seaport Boulevard

More information about Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel is posted below.

Boston Globe reaches agreement to sell 16.5-acre Dorchester headquarters

The Boston Globe reports that it has reached an agreement to sell its 16.5-acre headquarters facility located along Morrissey Boulevard and Interstate 93 in Dorchester. A locus map of the facility is posted above. The 16.5-acre facility includes the 815,000 square foot Boston Globe headquarters building in addition to surface parking lots.

Citing a confidentiality agreement, The Boston Globe has not disclosed the facility's buyer. The Boston Globe's headquarters will move to Exchange Place (53 State Street) in Downtown Boston, and printing and delivery operations will move to a new facility in Taunton, MA. This page will be updated with additional details as they become available.

Archer | Donahue on Beacon Hill approved for construction

The Boston Redevelopment Authority approved Archer | Donahue on Beacon Hill for construction at last Thursday’s board meeting. Developed by JDMD Owner, LLC of Dedham, the $162 million Archer | Donahue will feature 71 residential condominiums with approximately 5,700 square feet of undetermined resident amenities. The project will fully restore two existing buildings at 33-61 Temple Street and construct a new penthouse level. Construction of Archer | Donahue could commence this summer. A rendering of Archer | Donahue is posted above.

Since the project's Expanded Project Notification Form (EPNF) filing, Archer | Donahue's penthouse level height has been reduced and will not exceed the height of the existing structure. Residential unit count has decreased by four; 75 units were originally proposed. Parking space count has been reduced to 54 from 60. More information about Archer | Donahue is posted below.

General Electric Headquarters acquisition deal moving forward, construction could start this fall

The Boston Globe reports that General Electric (GE)’s acquisition of its’ future Fort Point headquarters site is moving forward. On Thursday, the board of MassDevelopment, the state economic development and finance agency, reportedly authorized the purchase of the two historic warehouse buildings at 5 and 6 Necco Court, which will be incorporated into GE’s headquarters facility, and an acre of land that will be used for open space. The MassDevelopment board also authorized MassDevelopment on Thursday to apply for up to $120 million in state grants that would be used for the purchase and improvement of GE’s headquarters site.

MassDevelopment Chief Executive Marty Jones states that GE aims to start construction work at the the historic buildings as soon as this fall, with completion and occupancy of the entire facility expected in 2018. GE executives will move this summer to 33-41 Farnsworth Street in Fort Point, which will serve as GE’s temporary headquarters.

GE’s acquisition of the headquarters site is expected to close in September. The approximately 2.5 acre site will reportedly be subdivided into an acre of open space, approximately half an acre where the historic buildings stand and approximately one acre where GE’s new 293,000 square foot building will be erected. MassDevelopment will reportedly own the open space and historic buildings parcels, and GE will own the new building parcel. GE will lease the historic buildings from MassDevelopment.

More information about the General Electric Headquarters project is posted below.

Beach House, 234 new Revere Beach apartments, breaks ground

We had the honor and privilege of attending the official Beach House groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, June 2nd. We would like to extend huge congratulations and thanks to Baystone Development on this important milestone. Beach House will further enliven beautiful Revere Beach with hundreds of new residents. Beach House will be a 234-unit luxury apartment building. Resident amenities will include a rooftop pool and terrace with sweeping ocean views, a 2,000 square foot gym, a movie room and on-site vehicle parking. The following are renderings of Beach House:

View along Revere Beach Boulevard

View along Revere Beach Boulevard

View along Revere Beach Boulevard

View along Revere Beach Boulevard

Rooftop pool

Speakers at the Beach House groundbreaking ceremony included Roy MacDowell Jr. of Baystone Development, Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo, Ward 5 Councillor John Powers and Bob Upton of RevereBeach.com.

Roy MacDowell Jr. of Baystone Development

Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo

Ward 5 Councillor John Powers

Bob Upton of RevereBeach.com

Speeches were followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking and reception on the construction site.

Shovels fly at Beach House

Baystone Development team

Ceremonial shovels

Beach House renderings

Members of project team with renderings

Groundbreaking reception

More information about Beach House is posted below.

New England Conservatory Student Life and Performance Center topped off, fireproofing underway

Construction of interior and exterior finishes is underway at the New England Conservatory (NEC) Student Life and Performance Center (SLPC). The building is topped off, and installation of fireproofing and sheathing along the facade is underway.

View from Gainsborough Street

View from Columbus Avenue parking garage

Second floor structural elements

East corner of SLPC

View along Saint Botolph Street

With the building topped off, the construction team is at work framing interior spaces and roughing in mechanical and electrical systems. Central air units are visible on the roof of the SLPC.

View of mechanical systems

View of roof from the north

USG Securock Sheathing (green) is being installed along the SLPC’s facade to provide a moisture and mold resistant air/water barrier system. Carlisle fire resistant sheets (silver) are being installed atop the green sheathing to fireproof the building.

View from Huntington Avenue

Carlisle fire resistant sheets (silver)

Ground floor

More information about the New England Conservatory Student Life and Performance Center is posted below.

Letter of Intent filed for General Electric Fort Point headquarters, designed by Gensler

General Electric has filed a Letter of Intent to construct its new headquarters facility fronting Fort Point Channel in Boston. As previously reported, the existing warehouse buildings at 5 and 6 Necco Court will be rehabilitated. The buildings will be connected by a new shared lobby and atrium. A new 293,000 square foot, 12-story building will be built next to the existing buildings. The new building will be connected to the buildings by a pedestrian bridge as well as a new pedestrian passageway, GE Plaza, that will connect Necco Street and the Fort Point Channel harborwalk. Part of GE Plaza will be located underneath a transparent canopy.

Global architecture firm Gensler is designing General Electric's new headquarters facility. Contrary to prior reports, the State of Massachusetts, not the Boston Redevelopment Authority, will own General Electric's facility. Uses and amenities at the facility will include "office, maker space, bistro-cafe, cafeteria, coffee bar, museum, convener space, community co-work lounge, and laboratory" per the Letter of Intent. The following is a preliminary rendering of what General Electric's facility may look like: 

Source: Steve Adams/Twitter

General Electric's new facility will include approximately 42,430 square feet of new public waterfront open space along Fort Point Channel. Improvements will also be made to the existing Harborwalk.

The following is a link to the Letter of Intent for the General Electric Headquarters. More information about the General Electric Headquarters is posted below.

New details for proposed South End garage redevelopment across from Ink Block

Nordblom Company submitted a Project Notification Form to the Boston Redevelopment Authority last week proposing to construct a new eight-story office building above the existing parking garage at 321 Harrison Avenue. Construction could commence in the first quarter of 2017.

A rendering of the proposed building is posted above. The following is a link to the full Project Notification Form.

New housing proposed at former Brighton monastery

The Boston Business Journal (BBJ) reports that Cabot, Cabot & Forbes (CC&F) proposes to construct a 680­-unit, 610,000 square foot graduate student housing facility at the 11.6-acre former Saint Gabriel’s Monastery at 159­-201 Washington Street in Brighton. The proposed project would include four new residential buildings and renovation of the existing monastery building.

The new residential buildings would be three to seven stories tall. The project would be designed to accommodate over 4,100 residents. The renovated monastery building would house co­-working space, a cafe and the project’s leasing office. The project would include approximately 400 parking spaces.

No proposed timeframe for the project has been reported at this time. John Moriarty & Associates would be the project’s general contractor. The new buildings would be built using wood­-frame construction, a first for large­-scale unionized projects in Boston.

345 Harrison officially breaks ground

We had the honor and privilege of attending the official 345 Harrison groundbreaking ceremony this past Wednesday, May 25th. We would like to extend huge congratulations and thanks to UDR on this important milestone. 345 Harrison will further enliven the rapidly developing South End New York Streets neighborhood with hundreds of new residents in addition to new retail space. Above and below are the latest renderings of 345 Harrison.

Nighttime view of 345 Harrison from Traveler Street towards Downtown Boston

View of 345 Harrison at corner of Harrison Avenue (right) and Traveler Street (left)

View of 345 Harrison at corner of Traveler Street (right) and Washington Street (left)

Speakers at the 345 Harrison groundbreaking ceremony included UDR Vice President of Development Robert McCullough, UDR Development Associate Elizabeth Likovich, City of Boston Chief of Civic Engagement Jerome Smith, CBT Architects Principal David Hancock and John Moriarty & Associates CEO David Leathers.

UDR Vice President of Development Robert McCullough

UDR Development Associate Elizabeth Likovich

City of Boston Chief of Civic Engagement Jerome Smith

CBT Architects Principal David Hancock

John Moriarty & Associates CEO David Leathers

Speeches were followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking on the construction site.

Shovels about to fly at 345 Harrison

Shovels fly at 345 Harrison

UDR development team

CBT Architects team

View of the ceremonial groundbreaking tent

Pile driving and excavation are underway at 345 Harrison. A large section of the project’s sheet pile wall is in place. The sheet pile wall will reinforce 345 Harrison’s foundation and underground parking garage. Two new buildings will be built at 345 Harrison.

Excavators parked along a section of 345 Harrison's sheet pile wall

View of 345 Harrison sheet pile wall along Harrison Avenue (right) towards Downtown Boston

View of 345 Harrison sheet pile wall construction facing Harrison Avenue and Ink Block

Concrete piles are being driven for additional structural support. Approximately 650 concrete piles will be driven at 345 Harrison. A number of H piles will also be driven. A number of piles have been driven along the north side of the project site fronting William Mullins Way. Pre-trenching is underway to remove debris and stone and prepare the south side of the site fronting Traveler Street for pile driving.

Concrete pile driving underway at the corner of Harrison Avenue and William Mullins Way

View of pile driving at 345 Harrison including concrete piles, H piles and sheet piles

The 345 Harrison construction team drives concrete piles along Harrison Avenue

Pre-trenching underway at the south side of 345 Harrison

Excavation of 345 Harrison’s underground parking garage is well underway. A one-level underground garage with parking for 275 cars and 325 bicycles will be built along William Mullins Way. Approximately 10 more vertical feet will be excavated prior to the garage’s completion.

View of partially excavated section of 345 Harrison's underground parking garage along William Mullins Way looking towards Harrison Avenue

UDR is looking for suggestions for potential names and building amenities for 345 Harrison. Tweet your suggestions with #Lovefor345Name and #Lovefor345Amenity, respectively, and you could win up to $10,000!

UDR #Lovefor345 graphic

345 Harrison is expected to open in early 2018. Pre-leasing of residences at 345 Harrison has begun, visit UDR’s 345 Harrison page for more information and to join the interest list. A live camera has been installed showing progress at 345 Harrison. More information about 345 Harrison is posted below.

The following are photographs of 345 Harrison taken earlier in May showing excavation and sheet pile driving underway:

Panoramic view of 345 Harrison site from corner of Washington Street and William Mullins Way

Panoramic view of 345 Harrison site from corner of Harrison Avenue and William Mullins Way

View of excavation underway in background and sheet piles ready for driving in foreground

View of sheet pile wall along Harrison Avenue towards SoWA

Abbey Group confirmed as Boston Flower Exchange developer

In today's Boston City Council meeting, Boston Flower Exchange developer The Abbey Group gave a brief overview of the potential redevelopment program. The Abbey Group hopes to construct a commercial component to the project that would include space for technology companies. The project could also include residential and retail components.

The Abbey Group has not yet closed on the acquisition of the 5.5 acre Boston Flower Exchange parcel. This page will be updated with additional details as they become available. A live stream of the Boston City Council meeting is available here.

DotBlock approved for construction

The Boston Redevelopment Authority approved DotBlock for construction at last night's board meeting. Located at the juncture of Dorchester's Meeting House Hill, Savin Hill and Jones Hill neighborhoods, DotBlock will contain approximately 362 residential units and 37,000 square feet of retail space across five new buildings. Construction of DotBlock could start this summer.

Renderings of DotBlock are posted above. More information about DotBlock is posted below.

Four contiguous vacant Bay Village parcels sell for $13.5 million

A total of four contiguous vacant parcels located in Bay Village sold today for a combined $13.5 million as recorded in the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds. The parcels sold total approximately 7,736 square feet of land area and include the following:

• 212 Stuart Street (3,183 square feet)
  
• 222 Stuart Street (3,151 square feet)
  
• 17 Shawmut Street (702 square feet)
  
• 19 Shawmut Street (700 square feet)
  

212 Stuart Street was sold today for $6 million to Stuart Acquisition 12 LLC, a limited liability company (LLC) registered in Massachusetts. The other three parcels were sold today with a separate deed for $7.5 million to Stuart Acquisition 22 LLC, a LLC registered in Massachusetts. The registered agent for both LLCs is law firm Sherin and Lodgen. The official buyer of the four parcels has not been disclosed.

Development has been proposed for the parcels in the past. An eight-story residential building was approved for construction by the Boston Redevelopment Authority for 212 Stuart Street in 2006; the approved building was never built. 212 Stuart Street's then-owner was Metropolitan Housing Partners of New York.

Hera Development Corporation of Brighton, MA acquired the 212 Stuart Street site in 2007 for $6.5 million and had an agreement to buy the other three adjacent parcels. Hera Development Corporation proposed to construct a 10-story office building in 2008; the proposed building was never built. The following is a rendering of the proposed building:

Rendering by Hendren Associates

212 Stuart Street was sold in 2012 for $3.3 million by Hera Development Corporation to Northwood Investors, then-owner of Boston's Revere Hotel. A preexisting three-story commercial building at 212 Stuart Street was demolished in summer 2014. 212 Stuart Street changed hands again in December 2014 when it was sold for $5 million to Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, who also bought the Revere Hotel around the same time. 222 Stuart Street, 17 Shawmut Street and 19 Shawmut Street were owned by Vasilios Kotzampaltiris since 1983 and have been used as a parking lot.

The following is the deed for today's sale of 212 Stuart Street (sold for $6 million):

Approved South Boston development, first acquired for $7.8M, sold for $17.25M to new developer

Local general contracting and development firm Metric Corporation has acquired the approved development site at 45 West 3rd Street in South Boston for $17.25 million. Former owner Spaulding & Slye Investments purchased the site for $7.8 million. Spaulding & Slye Investments guided the site through approval of a new-construction mixed-use building. Ground has not yet been broken on the new building, which was approved for construction in July 2015.

Metric Corporation is owned by builder and developer Geoffrey S. Caraboolad. The 45 West 3rd Street site is located steps to the Seaport District and Broadway Station on the MBTA Red Line. The following is the deed for the sale of the site to Metric Corporation (E & T LLC) for $17.25 million on Friday, April 15th, 2016:

Spaulding & Slye Investments also closed on its' acquisition of the 45 West 3rd Street site on Friday, the same day the site was sold to Metric Corporation. The main parcel, 41 West 3rd Street, was acquired for $7 million. An adjacent home at 68 Athens Street was acquired for a total of $800,000. A single deed, posted above, subsequently transferred ownership of both parcels to Metric Corporation. The following are the deeds for former owner Spaulding & Slye Investments' (SSI West Third Boston LLC) acquisition of the site for a total of $7.8 million:

More information about the approved 45 West 3rd Street project is posted below.

New details and renderings for proposed condominium conversion of former Suffolk University buildings

JDMD Owner, LLC has submitted an Expanded Project Notification Form (EPNF) for the proposed Archer | Donahue project on Beacon Hill. The development team hopes to start construction in late summer 2016; Consigli Construction is the project's construction manager.

The following is a link to the full EPNF. The following are EPNF renderings of Archer | Donahue:

General Electric reaches deal to acquire Fort Point parcel

General Electric will develop the new facility in partnership with the Boston Redevelopment Authority. The Boston Redevelopment Authority will own the facility, and General Electric will lease. Sale of the 2.5-acre parcel is expected to close in nine to 12 months; General Electric hopes to occupy the new facility by 2018. General Electric has not yet filed development plans; an architect for the new facility is yet to be hired.  Approximately 800 people will work at General Electric's new facility.

An official project website has been created for the Harrison Albany Block project with information and renderings. The Expanded Project Notification Form (EPNF) filed on Monday is also now available. The Bozzuto Group is serving as the project's development advisor; CBT Architects is the project's architect. Construction could commence in the first quarter of 2017. The following are renderings of Harrison Albany Block:

The following are aerial views and site plans of Harrison Albany Block:

The Boston Globe reports the developers of the Harrison Albany Block in Boston's South End have submitted a filing to the city with additional proposal details. Two new buildings—one with 11 stories, another with 19—are currently proposed; two existing buildings at 575 Albany Street and 660 Harrison Avenue would be retained. The developers of the Harrison Albany Block submitted a Letter of Intent for the project in November 2015; the developers acquired the project site in December 2014 from Boston Medical Center for $80 million.

Exterior finish installation underway at Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel

Exterior finish installation is underway at Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel. Moisture-resistant cladding and fireproofing have been installed along much of the Chapel's completed steel frame. The future Chapel bell was installed in the future steeple on February 12th.

Chapel along Sleeper Street

Steeple

Chapel along Seaport Boulevard

Baystone Development proposes 234 new luxury apartments along Revere Beach

Weston, MA-based Baystone Development proposes to build a six-story residential building along Revere Beach located steps to the Waterfront Square development and the MBTA Blue Line. The building would contain 234 luxury rental apartments ranging from studio to two-bedroom configurations.

Resident amenities would include a rooftop pool, a 2,000 square foot gym and a movie room. The building would include a 368-space parking garage. Start of construction is anticipated by summer 2016.

Representatives of the DotBlock team gave an update on the $150 million mixed-use project at a public meeting held Tuesday, February 23rd at the Dorchester Boys and Girls Club. A Second Supplemental Filing for DotBlock was submitted to the Boston Redevelopment Authority earlier this month on Wednesday, February 10th. Latest project renderings and plans from the filing were presented at Tuesday’s meeting. DotBlock’s design was approved earlier this month on Tuesday, February 2nd by the Boston Civic Design Commission.

DotBlock will contain 362 residential units and 37,000 square feet of retail space. Maximum building height at DotBlock will be six stories. A parking garage will be built on site containing 450 car spaces. 100 spaces will be designated for retailers; retail-resident parking balance is subject to change depending upon retail demand. Garage parking spaces will be made available to neighborhood residents in the event of a snowstorm or other emergency-related street parking ban.

DotBlock was originally proposed to occupy the entire block bounded by Dorchester Avenue, Hancock Street, Pleasant Street and Greenmount Street. The modified project excludes some parcels that were not acquired by the developer. Project size has accordingly been reduced by approximately 120 residential units and 40,000 square feet of retail. A gas station located at the corner of Dorchester Avenue and Hancock Street is currently under agreement for acquisition by the DotBlock team. The gas station parcel may be incorporated into a future phase of DotBlock.

DotBlock will be a middle-income urban housing development. According to Demetri Dasco, CEO of DotBlock developer Atlas Investment Group, market-rate rents at DotBlock will range from $2,100 per month for a one-bedroom unit to the “$2,600 per month to $2,700 per month range” for a two-bedroom unit. Rents have been reduced to “minimum amounts to meet lender requirements for [construction] financing.” 48 units at DotBlock (13%) will be designated affordable at 70% area median income (AMI).

The DotBlock team has consulted with Boston-area general contractor Lee Kennedy Company on DotBlock’s design for over two years. Given that DotBlock has not yet been approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority for construction, a general contracting deal has not yet been signed.

Overall urban planning of the DotBlock site has been completed. The DotBlock team is now working towards finalizing construction details including lighting, security and sidewalk pavement. Streetscape design will utilize the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s complete streets guidelines, which encourage walkability and accommodations for a variety of street users including pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The DotBlock team will contribute $250,000 to a community fund; funds will be made available to community non-profit organizations.

The DotBlock team is also working to lease retail space at DotBlock. The Dartmouth Company is coordinating retail leasing. A 31,500 square foot retail space fronting Dorchester Avenue is being marketed towards a grocery store tenant. According to a Dartmouth Company representative, there are “two or three genuinely interested” grocery store partners. Other envisioned retail options include restaurants, coffee shops and a bank.

Retail will be built along Dorchester Avenue and Hancock Street. A public pedestrian-only corridor will be built through DotBlock’s center lined with several retail options. There will be an acre and a half of usable open space, including a playground, located on the DotBlock site. All public space will have 24-hour security monitoring. A representative of RODE Architects spoke for DotBlock’s mission to "knit together [surrounding Dorchester neighborhoods of] Meeting House Hill, Savin Hill and Jones Hill” through open pedestrian space usable by all.

Building massing:



Ground floor plan:



Site plan:



Full Second Supplemental Filing:

Construction has commenced at 728 East Broadway in South Boston. J. R. Vinagro Corporation is at work demolishing the former parking garage on site. Cedarwood Development, 728 East Broadway's general contractor, will soon begin construction of a new four-story building with 18 condominiums. Empire Realty Trust, an affiliate of The Cronin Group, is 728 East Broadway's developer. New photographs of the 728 East Broadway site are posted above.

Cedarwood Development is also an area developer. Cedarwood Development is the developer and general contractor of Allure at 11 Dorchester Street, also under construction in South Boston.

Ten New's facade is just about complete. Interior work continues to progress on the 16-story building's apartments, resident amenities and ground-floor commercial space. Located on Boston Harbor, Ten New residents will enjoy sweeping views of the downtown Boston skyline. Ten New's ground floor is anticipated to house a waterfront restaurant.

The Boston Flower Exchange will likely be sold to local developer The Abbey Group, according to sources familiar with the deal. The Boston Flower Exchange has been told to move out by the end of 2016. Sale of the property has not yet closed.

New office building proposed in Boston's South End across the street from Ink Block

Nordblom Company filed a Letter of Intent with the Boston Redevelopment Authority on February 3rd, 2016 to construct a vertical addition to the existing South End parking garage at 321 Harrison Avenue. The addition would consist of office space. The garage is located across Harrison Avenue from the Ink Block development. The following is a link to the full Letter of Intent.

J. Derenzo Companies completes demolition at 345 Harrison

J. Derenzo Companies' JDC Demolition division has demolished the former Graybar Electric building at 345 Harrison. In spring 2016, construction will commence of two new mixed-use buildings with approximately 585 residential units and up to 40,000 square feet of retail.

345 Harrison site following demolition of Graybar Electric building

DotBlock's design has been unanimously approved by the Boston Civic Design Commission. The project team is now working towards approval by the Boston Redevelopment Authority board.

Dot Block received approval from Boston's Civic Design Commission! Learn more on our blog https://t.co/SHFmXsidVF pic.twitter.com/GxFEdDabm2

— RODE Architects (@RODE_Architects) February 3, 2016

DotBlock is moving ahead targeting a summer 2016 construction start. DotBlock went before the Boston Civic Design Commission earlier this month; a Boston Civic Design Commission board vote is scheduled for this coming Tuesday, February 2nd. Building permits could be acquired in March; DotBlock will likely go before the Zoning Board of Appeals in spring 2016. Developer Atlas Investment Group is also actively working with the Boston Transportation Department to finalize traffic flow plans.

The developer has received interest from a national grocery chain regarding opening a DotBlock location, according to a report by the Dorchester Reporter. The DotBlock project site totals nearly four acres. DotBlock is sure to be transformative, bringing new residents and retail options to a growing district and activating some long-vacant parcels. DotBlock project renderings are posted above.

DotBlock Site Plan:

Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel frame nearing completion

The frame of Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel is just about complete. Welding is wrapping up, and walls and finishes will follow shortly. Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel brings added character to Boston's growing Seaport District, serving as a unique and distinctive gateway to the neighborhood. The under-construction Chapel is being built in place of the existing Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel located on Seaport Square Parcel D, which will eventually be demolished to make room for additional development.

Exterior finishes and glass are just about fully installed at Ten New!

   

Letter of Intent submitted for condominium conversion of two Suffolk University buildings

We stopped by the 6-26 New Street, since officially named Ten New, construction site and were excited to see that installation of finishes had progressed significantly! We were able to gain a closeup view of the finishes as they were delivered on street level; see our photographs above. Ten New was officially topped off on Friday, November 13th; congrats to Gerding Edlen, Suffolk Construction and all involved!

   

We stopped by 6-26 New Street last week and were thoroughly impressed. The building has grown significantly and appears just about ready to top off. Finishes and windows are also beginning to be installed on the building's ground floors. With its added height, 6-26 New Street is now visible from all around, throughout East Boston as well as from downtown Boston.

   

Demolition at 345 Harrison underway

Demolition of Graybar Electric building underway

We stopped by 6-26 New Street on the East Boston Waterfront recently. Construction is progressing smoothly. We are excited to watch this game-changing development continue to take shape!

   

Construction starts at Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel

We stopped by 6-26 New Street recently. Construction appeared to be actively progressing. At the time, demolition of the structurally unsound nine-story building was not yet approved. (The Boston Redevelopment Authority approved the new development plans on April 16th, 2015.) The tallest building shown on site is the nine-story building that would have been renovated along with a seven-story height addition. Both buildings shown in our site photos will now be demolished, and new ones will be built in their stead.

   

The proposed Savin Hill development bordered by Pleasant Street, Hancock Street and Dorchester Avenue has an official name—DotBlock!