Nitsch Engineering

Facade Install Ongoing for A.O. Flats in JP

Facade install is ongoing for A.O. Flats as part of the Parcel U Development just outside Forest Hills Station in Jamaica Plain. This part of the development will include 78 mixed-income apartments along with 1,620 square feet of ground-floor retail. The project will also feature 1,040 square feet of community space, a 42-space underground parking garage, and a fitness center.

Taj Renovations Approved by BDPA

The Boston Planning Board has approved the large scale renovation project to the Taj Hotel across from the Boston Public Garden. The plans call to update the existing guest rooms and add 12 additional rooms.  Work will also be done to permanently enclose the existing seasonal rooftop restaurant.  The hotel's main entrance will also be relocated from Arlington Street to Newbury Street. This change will enhance the public realm by creating a raised, accessible entry, refurbishing the existing canopy on Arlington Street, and adding street trees.

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.

Preleasing Begins for NEMA Boston

With construction nearly complete on the building's exterior, preleasing efforts have begun for NEMA Boston, at 399 Congress Street in the Seaport. NEMA Boston's 414 apartments will be smart home ready and feature luxury finishes including Lutron Caseta, Caesarstone kitchen countertops, and Bosch and Blombert stainless appliances.

Resident amenities will span the top floor of the tower and include a heated skyline pool, fitness center, and game, and media lounges. The first units in the project are expected to welcome residents this fall.

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.

Cores Rapidly Rising for Omni Seaport

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

BC Athletics Support Building Approved

The Boston College Harrington Athletics Village Support Building has been approved by the BPDA.

The approved Harrington Athletics Village Support Building is a previously-deferred phase of the Brighton Campus Athletics Center Project (now called the Harrington Athletics Village) that will consist of an approximately 31,140 square foot building housing team locker rooms for baseball and softball; accessory spaces for sports medicine, strength training, and equipment storage; practice hitting tunnels; and meeting and utility rooms. 

Scape Acquires Fenway Property for $39 Million

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

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

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

Framing Rising for Redevelopment of Whittier Choice in Roxbury

Wood framing is ongoing for the redevelopment of the Whittier Choice public housing development in Roxbury. The first phase of the project will create a new 5-story building to contain 83 units. A second and third phase will house another 304 residential units along with over 7,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The new buildings will contain a mix of affordable and market-rate residential units. Both rental and condominium residential units will be constructed ranging from studios to four-bedrooms.

Modular Boxes in Place for 28 Austin Street in Newton

Over 100 modular boxes are in place for the residential portion of the 28 Austin Street development in Newtonville. The development will feature 68 mixed-income residences along with 5,000 square feet of retail space. Unit sizes will range in size from one to two bedrooms and resident amenities will include a common roof terrace and garden. A public plaza will also be built on site along with 123 public parking spaces at ground level and 90 new spaces below grade. 

Framing Ongoing for Modera Framingham

Wood framing is ongoing for the upcoming 270 unit Modera Framingham. The project will feature a mix of studio through three-bedroom units along with a fitness center and resident clubhouse. The building will also include parking for 411 cars. The Waverly Street location is just a few blocks from Framingham's commuter rail stop and the Central Business District featuring numerous restaurants and breweries.  

Concrete Cores in Place and Wood Framing Started for HRI Concord Highlands Project

Two concrete cores are in place with wood framing going up for what will be Cambridge's largest new 100% affordable housing development in the last 40 years. The building at 671-675 Concord Avenue will feature 98 affordable apartments, a mix of one, two, and three bedrooms. Resident amenities will include a community room, a rooftop terrace and both front and rear outdoor recreational areas along with parking for 98 vehicles. Construction is expected to be complete in January 2020.

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.

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.

Construction Wrapping up For the Graphic in Charlestown: First Residents Expected to Move in May 1st

Construction is nearly complete for the Graphic Lofts in Charlestown, with first units expected to welcome residents on May 1st. This unique project combines the renovation of the existing Graphic Arts Building and a new construction four-story modular building. In total the building will include 171 apartments, ranging in size from studios up through 3 bedrooms. The project also includes around 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The Charlestown location offers easy access to the MBTA Orange Line and is also next to the Hood Business Park undergoing its own redevelopment.

Interior Finishing Ongoing for Micro Guest Rooms at Moxy Hotel

The glass and metal curtain wall facade for the Moxy Boston is in place as crews work to wrap up interior finishing for the expected opening in June of this year. The 143,000 square foot project will feature 346 micro guest rooms along with a rooftop bar and lounge, fitness center and meeting rooms. While the rooms are designed with a small footprint they still feature high-end finishes and edgy graphics to convey a theatre theme to match the location amidst Boston's Theatre District.

Demo Wrapping Up for Phase II of the Orient Heights Redevelopment

Demo of four existing buildings within the Orient Heights Development is wrapping up to make way for two new townhomes and one midrise building. The new buildings will include a total of 88 state public housing units. This is the second phase of the master plan to redevelop the 331 units of affordable housing located at the existing Orient Heights development in East Boston.

Construction Nearly Complete for Coppersmith Village in East Boston

Construction is wrapping up and leasing has started for Coppersmith Village in East Boston. The development includes two new apartment buildings along Border Street featuring 56 units and 15 condo townhomes on Liverpool Street. The site is located just a few minutes from the Maverick Square MBTA Station. A total of 37 parking spaces are included under the rental buildings and each townhome includes a one car garage. Coppersmith Village also features a 3,000 square foot ground floor retail/restaurant space.

Motor Mart Garage Under Official Review

The proposed redevelopment of Motor Mart Garage by CIM Group and Boston Global Investors is under official review.

The plans call for a 20 story tower to rise out of the existing building (for a total of 28 stories).  In total approximately 390 residential units (apartments and condos) would be created, ranging in size from studios to three bedrooms. 672 of the current 1037 parking spaces will be retained and around 46,000 square feet of retail space will be renovated.

Construction Nearing Completion at One Dalton: Expected Opening Late April

The tower crane for the 61-story One Dalton has started shrinking as construction is nearing completion for one of Boston's most anticipated projects. The 712,500 square feet development will include 180 luxury condos along with a 215 room Four Seasons Hotel. Residents and guests alike will have access to an array of amenities including a fitness center and spa with lap pool, Zuma Restaurant, and a 5,000-square-foot park designed by award-winning landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh. One Dalton is expected to open late next month.

Window Install Starts for First Building at The Residences at Forest Hills

With wood framing ongoing for the 2nd and 3rd buildings in the project, window install has started for the first building at The Residences at Forest Hills. When complete the project will feature around 250 apartment and just over 4,000 square feet of retail just across the street from The Forest Hills MBTA Station.  Resident amenities will include a fitness center, yoga studio, clubhouse with teaching kitchen, theater room, bicycle storage, and bicycle maintenance areas, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Avalon Brighton Approved by BPDA

Avalon Brighton, located at 139-149 Washington Street in Brighton has been approved by The Boston Planning Board.  The project will include 2 new buildings to contain a total of 228 residential units, with 34 units income-restricted. One building will include 180 rental units, and one will include 48 homeownership units. 

Work Begins on Cores for Omni Seaport

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

Taj Boston Renovations Under Official Review

The proposed renovations at the Taj Boston are now under official review.

The Project contemplates interior renovations that include updating the existing hotel guest rooms, creating 12 additional hotel guest rooms, modifying the interior corridors and the existing connection to an adjacent building, permanently enclosing the existing seasonal rooftop restaurant, and additional interior public space enhancements.

The Project also proposes to relocate the main entrance of the hotel from Arlington Street to Newbury Street. This new main entrance and related improvements will enhance the public realm by creating a raised, accessible entry, illuminating the public right-of-way, refurbishing the existing canopy on Arlington Street, adding street trees, and adjusting the existing grade change of the sloped sidewalk in front of the hotel to improve overall access.

Building Permit Issued for East Boston Development

A building permit has been issued for the development project at 125 Sumner Street in East Boston.

The approved mixed-income, a transit-oriented mixed-use development which will replace the East Boston Waterfront's aging 1.1-acre, 20-unit Clippership Apartments public housing development with 52 new residences. Two new 3-story wood-framed buildings will be constructed; one building will contain approximately 22 affordable rental apartment residences, and the other will contain 30 mixed-income condominium residences.

Apartments will include 3 and 4-bedrooms, and condominiums will include studio, one-, two- and three bedrooms. 14 condominiums will be designated affordable.

NEMA Boston Facade Nearing Completion 

Construction is fast progressing for NEMA Boston, at 399 Congress Street in the Seaport. Window and facade install is nearly complete, showcasing the mix of textures that will cover the 21 story tower. The development will include 414 units, 63 of which will be designated as affordable. NEMA Boston will offer an array of resident amenities housed on the building's top floor.
NEMA Boston is expected to welcome its first residents this fall.

Boston College's New Support Building Under Official Review

The proposed building at 149R Lake Street in Brighton, MA is a previously-deferred phase of the Brighton Campus Athletics Center Project (now called the Harrington Athletics Village) that will consist of an approximately 31,140 square foot building housing team locker rooms for baseball and softball; accessory spaces for sports medicine, strength training, and equipment storage; practice hitting tunnels; and meeting and utility rooms.

The Project will replace an existing 50-spot surface parking lot (66,933 square feet in area) located to the south and west of the existing softball and baseball fields.

With Modular Boxes Set in Place, Austin Street Mixed-Use Development Moves Forward

GreenStaxx’ latest modular building has begun to take shape as the installation of the 102 modular “boxes” that will form the residential portion of 28 Austin Street is well underway.

28 Austin Street is a four-story mixed-use development comprised of 68 one and two-bedroom apartments and 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail located in the village of Newtonville. The project is being developed by Austin Street Partners, a joint venture between GreenStaxx (formerly Oaktree Development), an award-winning developer of transit-oriented, mixed-use, multifamily developments, and Dinosaur Capital Partners, the Boston-based real estate developer and investor. The project will also feature a beautifully landscaped public plaza with trees and plantings, a fountain designed by renowned Newton sculptor Nancy Schon and outdoor seating. Twenty-three of the apartments (1/3 of the total project) have been designated as affordable.

Designed by Stantec, the project is being built using GreenStaxx modular building technology, a patented design system that utilizes a digital library of 25 pre-designed and pre-engineered units that are “stacked” in a 3D program, and are designed and engineered to be assembled like Lego blocks to fit any site. The 65’ long x 13’ wide units were built in a climate-controlled factory in Canada, transported to Newton by flatbed truck, and are now being set in place. The GreenStaxx system, designed by founder Arthur Klipfel, has been utilized in a number of transit-oriented, multifamily projects developed by GreenStaxx, including 30 Haven in Reading, MA, a mixed-use 53-unit complex selected as one of five national finalists for the Urban Land Institute’s Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award in 2014.

Austin Street Partners selected Stantec and NEI General Contracting as their development team based in part on their experience with modular construction. “The integral component for the GreenStaxx system is the vertical integration of the developer, architect, general contractor and the modular manufacturer, so that they’re operating as one company, marching to the same drummer, in order to achieve maximum efficiency for a project,” said Klipfel.

Built on a former municipal parking lot in conjunction with the City of Newton, the project will also replace 124 public parking spaces at ground level and add 90 new underground residential and retail employee parking spaces. A rooftop solar array will provide over fifty percent of the building’s electrical needs, and 28 Austin Street will be LEED certifiable, utilizing efficient heating and ventilation systems, fixtures and lighting. Electric car-charging stations are being installed, and all apartments will be equipped with EnergyStar appliances. Resident amenities include a common living room and roof terrace, a fitness center, and a play area for children and dogs. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019.

“The development of 28 Austin Street reflects Dinosaur Capital Partners’ philosophy: Invest for the long-term while enhancing the quality of life for our neighbors,” said Scott Oran, principal of Dinosaur Capital Partners. “And 28 Austin Street repurposes an underutilized public parking lot while providing energy-efficient affordable housing options for Newton residents.”

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.

Tower Crane in Place for Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport

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

Construction Ongoing for The Residences at Forest Hills

Various phases of construction are ongoing for the two new buildings that will make up the Residences at Forest Hills. The mixed-use project just across the street from Forest Hills station will feature 250 units along with 5,500 square feet of ground floor retail and restaurant space. 50 units within the project will be designated affordable. Resident amenities will include a fitness center with yoga studio, clubhouse with a teaching kitchen, and a theater room. 

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.

Facade Install Nearly Complete for The Graphic in Charlestown

Crews are wrapping up the install of final portions of the facade for the new modular building at The Graphic in Charlestown. The four-story building will feature 125 new construction residences. The development also includes the renovation of the Graphic Arts Building next door to the new construction to include 46 apartments. The project also features 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail and 113 parking spaces. Units are expected to be available for move in April 1st.

Final Sections of Glass Facade Install Underway on Penthouse Levels of One Dalton

With a spring opening fast approaching, the final pieces of One Dalton's glass facade are being put in place. These last sections will enclose the duplex penthouse homes on the building's 60 & 61st floors. One Dalton will be the tallest residential tower in New England at 740 feet with the upper floors containing 180 private luxury condos. Underneath will be a Four Seasons luxury hotel with 215 rooms. 

At the base of the tower, work is also being completed on the building's grand entrances, one for the hotel and one for residences.

Both residents and guests of the hotel will have access to numerous amenities including a fitness center, spa, and indoor pool. Construction is set to be complete in April.

Construction Ongoing for The Moxy Hotel: Set to Open this Summer

The glass facade is nearly complete for the 24-story Moxy Hotel in Boston's Theater District. Space is left for the two-story digital ad sign to be installed at the corner of Stuart & Tremont Streets. On the back side of the project, colorful panel install is beginning.

The tall skinny tower will feature 346 micro guest rooms, each coming in at around 175 square feet. The hotel will offer a rooftop bar, fitness center, and meeting rooms. Construction is scheduled to be complete in June of this year.

Serenity Apartments Acquired for $123.25 Million

Oxford Properties Group has acquired the property at 101 South Huntington Ave in Boston, MA for $123.25 million.

The property features a mixed-use building that sits on a long-vacant Mission Hill parcel. Serenity features 195 apartments including studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three bedrooms. 24 residences overlooking Olmsted Park feature private elevator access. A 2,100 square foot retail space fronts South Huntington Avenue. Amenities at Serenity include a swimming pool, a fitness center, and a green roof deck. Underground parking is located on site for 100 cars. 

Charter High School Proposed in Roslindale

Uncommon Schools and Upton + Partners have proposed a new, nearly 50,000 square foot high school along Belgrade Avenue in Roslindale. The new Roxbury Charter Prep High School would replace an existing commercial structure on the site. The project will feature a 3 story classroom wing, cafeteria, gym, admin offices, and two rooftop courtyards. The project is currently under review and the development team hopes to have the building complete for the 2020 school year.

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.

Structural Steel Work Ongoing for Affordable Housing Development in Cambridge

Structural steel work is ongoing along with decking install and foundation pours for HRI Concord Highlands, the upcoming 98 unit building in Cambridge. The project will feature a unit mix of one, two and three bedrooms, all designated as affordable. Resident amenities are set to include a community room and rooftop terrace. The building is located across from the Fresh Pond Reservation and just a few minutes from Alewife Station.

Exterior Work Ongoing for 206 West in South Boston

Exterior work is ongoing at 206 West Broadway in South Boston. The new project will feature 16 rental units and one ground floor commercial space. All units, a mix of studios and one bedrooms, will be designated as affordable housing.

Window Install Begins for NEMA Boston in The Seaport

As exterior work continues and framing is rising to full height window install has also started for NEMA Boston, at 399 Congress Street in the Seaport. The 22 story mixed-use building will include 414 apartments along with 2,500 sf of retail, innovation, and lobby space, and parking for 144 cars. The luxury residences will range in size from micro innovation units to three bedrooms. Construction is expected to be complete in Fall 2019.

Parcel U Phase B Mortgaged for $10.797 Million

Phase B of Parcel U | Forest Hills has been mortgaged by Urbanica Development for $10.797 Million via Wellesley Bank.

This development will feature 78 apartments along with 1,600 sq. ft. of ground floor retail. Resident amenities at A.O. Flats will include a fitness center, a common lounge and bicycle storage.

$26M in Construction Financing Secured for Phase II of Orient Heights Redevelopment

Citizens Bank announced today that its Community Development Group has provided $26 million in construction financing to Trinity Orient Heights Phase Two LP for the demolition of four existing buildings and replacement of 88 state public housing units, through the new construction of two townhomes and one midrise building. This effort, led by the Boston Housing Authority, East Boston CDC and Trinity Financial, is the second phase of a master plan to redevelop the 331 units of affordable housing located at the existing Orient Heights development in East Boston.

Nine of the units in phase two will be leased to tenants at or below 30 percent Area Median Income (AMI) and the remaining 79 units will be reserved for tenants at or below 60 percent AMI. All of the units will receive either state or federal housing subsidies. 

 “We greatly value our partnership with Citizens Bank and appreciate the Community Development Group’s market knowledge and excellent execution,” said Eva Erlich, vice president of development, Trinity Financial. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Citizens team as the construction of this second phase progresses.”

Fortis Property Group Acquires Stake in 47-55 LaGrange Street

Brooklyn-based Fortis Property Group has acquired a stake in the development at 47-55 LaGrange Street in Boston's Downtown Crossing neighborhood for $17.7 million.

The approved 21-story tower which will feature 176 luxury residential units including studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms in the heart of Downtown Crossing. The tower’s facade will feature a mix of glass and precast panels. Units will be graced with floor-to-ceiling windows. 20 vehicle parking spaces and 176 bicycle storage spaces will be located on site. 47-55 LaGrange Street is expected to achieve LEED Silver efficiency certification.

CO Issued for First 4 Floors of The Treadmark in Dorchester

A Certificate of Occupancy has been issued for floors 1-4 of the Treadmark in Dorchester. This certificate covers 51 of the 83 residential units. This project also includes around 5,000 sq. ft. of ground floor retail and parking for 30 cars. Completion of the project is a long time coming after a notorious fire destroyed the under-construction building in summer 2017.

Exterior Work Ongoing for A.O. Flats at Forest Hills

Exterior work and window install are ongoing for A.O. Flats at Forest Hills, part of the Parcel U development in Jamaica Plain.  This development will feature 78 apartments along with 1,600 sq. ft. of ground floor retail. Resident amenities at A.O. Flats will include a fitness center, a common lounge and bicycle storage.

Construction is expected to be complete in Summer 2019.

Framing Begins for The Residences at Forest Hills

Concrete cores for the three buildings that will make up the Residences at Forest Hills are rising and wood framing has also begun. The project is set to include around 250 apartments, 50 of which will be affordable. Unit sizes will range from studios through three bedrooms.  There will also be parking onsite for 130 cars and 250 bicycles along with around 4,000sf of ground floor retail.

Project Change Approved for Downtown Crossing Tower

The project change will bring the previously approved project for "up to 130 dwelling units" to a new total of "up to 176 dwelling units." No other aspects of the 47-55 Lagrange Street project, such as building size, will change.

The 21-story tower will feature 176 luxury residential units including studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms in the heart of Downtown Crossing. The tower’s facade will feature a mix of glass and precast panels. Units will be graced with floor-to-ceiling windows. 20 vehicle parking spaces and 176 bicycle storage spaces will be located on site. 47-55 LaGrange Street is expected to achieve LEED Silver efficiency certification.

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.

BLDUP's Sneak Peek Inside One Dalton

One Dalton has been rising to its full height for the past several years, changing the face of the Boston skyline. Now BLDUP has been given a sneak peek inside the luxurious $750 million project and we were not disappointed.

First stop the construction elevator to the 61st floor.  At 740 feet, One Dalton will be the tallest residential tower in New England. The top floor along with the 60th below will be home to three ultra-luxurious Penthouse Estates. The 360-degree views, even on a cloudy day are nothing short of amazing. You’ve got Fenway Park, The Charles River, Cambridge, Downtown, and you could practically reach out and touch the Prudential Center. On a clear day, I’m told you can see the Berkshires.

View of Fenway Park from the 61st floor

Along with the views, the Penthouse Estates will each feature Blue de Savoie polished marble countertops and backsplashes paired with SieMatic cabinets, bathrooms featuring heated glazed marble floors and Dornbracht fixtures and a double-height terrace complete with outdoor fireplaces.  There is also a service corridor neatly tucked into the back of each unit that will allow the hotel staff to deliver packages, dry cleaning, or room service unnoticed.

Two of these homes are already sold, with the third remaining available at $40 million. Debbie Collins, Director of Sales for Carpenter & Company tells BLDUP the residences at One Dalton are the fastest selling residential development in Four Seasons history.  And this is without advertising or marketing. The developers at Carpenter and Company, have run a whisper campaign to date. This word of mouth coupled with the Four Seasons brand has brought in buyers from throughout Boston and beyond.

Floors 26 to 61 of the tower are residential space with no more than 6 units on a given floor.  There will be 6 elevators total allowing for easy access to these sky-high condos. The residents will have access to all the hotel amenities below along with the 50/50 Club, a private residents only space on the 50th floor.  The development team is converting what would have been a $12 million condo into additional amenity space for the elite homeowners.

After taking in the views, we venture down to the lower floors to check in on the hotel portion of the building.  Here finishes are being installed and a sophisticated blend of textiles and textures gives the hotel the opulent feel you would expect from a five-star resort.  Every attention has been paid to detail from the millwork on the closets to the door handles that are shaped to look like the building.

The One Dalton shaped door handle

There will be 215 hotel rooms in total in this prime location between Back Bay and the South End.

A corner suite featuring floor to ceiling windows

A spacious custom millwork closet

A stylish black vanity featured in the hotel bathrooms.

Next, we make a stop on the 7th floor, the entire space dedicated to Health and Wellness.  There will be a spa, fitness center, and 65 ft curved lap pool. Unfortunately, the pool was covered during our visit but you could still see the beautifully tiled walls and comfortable design of the space.  We also saw what will be the fitness space, as with the rest of the building it features numerous large windows for an airy, open feel. We were then able to see what will be one of the luxurious ballroom spaces.  Even through the construction, you can see how impressive these spaces will be when complete.

The 65-foot curved lap pool will offer guests and homeowners a year-round retreat.

A pre-function space leading to an opulent ballroom.

Heading downstairs again, we hit the 2nd floor, food, and beverage, which will feature Zuma, Izakaya-style Japanese dining.  Zuma’s culinary concept features a main kitchen, sushi counter and robata grill offering modern, sophisticated Japanese cuisine.

As we exit past the site of the upcoming 5,000sf park, I learn what might be my favorite little gem of information about the property, all the sidewalks surrounding the project will be heated.  It seems the development and design teams really have thought of everything. With an expected opening in just several months, April 2019, we can’t wait to see One Dalton complete.

One of what will be two grand entrances to One Dalton (separate for the hotel & residences).

Building Permit Issued for Phase Two of Orient Heights Redevelopment

Building permits have been issued for Phase Two of the Orient Heights Redevelopment in East Boston. The two new permits are for an 8 unit townhouse and 4-story, 72 unit building along Vallar Street.  In total, the project will be a complete overhaul of the l of the 15-acre, 331-unit public housing development, which originally opened in 1951.  Phase One of the project was completed this past summer.

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.

Exterior Work Ongoing at The Graphic in Charlestown

After modular boxes were stacked for the project earlier this summer exterior work is now underway in Sullivan Square in Charlestown. The Graphic will feature a total of 171 apartments (46 in the renovated Graphic Arts Building & 125 in the new construction building).  The project will also include 113 parking spaces and around 5,000sf of ground floor retail space.

Glass Facade Install Nearing Top of One Dalton

Install of the glass facade for the 61 story, 740-foot tower is nearing its apex at One Dalton. The massive new Four Seasons Hotel and Residences will include 180 luxury condominiums and a 215 room hotel. Building amenities will include a lap pool, fitness center, salon, and 50th-floor residents lounge. There will also be a new 5,000 square foot park built at the tower's base.

One Dalton is scheduled to open in Spring 2019.

Exterior Work Underway at NEMA Boston

As framing continues exterior work has also begun for NEMA Boston at 399 Congress Street in the Seaport.  The new 414 unit luxury building will include a suite of resident amenities housed on the 21st floor with stunning downtown Boston Views.  The project will also include around 2,500 sf of retail and a three-level parking garage with 144 spaces.
Construction is expected to be complete in Fall 2019.

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.

Rental Buildings at Coppersmith Village Nearing Completion

Construction on the two new multifamily buildings along Border Street is coming to a close with residents expected to move in during the coming months.  The 56 apartment units of Coopersmith VIllage will range in size from one to three bedrooms.  Along Liverpool Street, exterior work is ongoing for the 15 new townhomes that will be available for purchase. The East Boston development will also feature parking for 37 cars along with ground floor retail space. 

The upcoming new rental buildings along Border Street in East Boston.

The townhomes along Liverpool Street of Coppersmith Village.

Foundation Pile Install Underway for Omni Seaport

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

Glass Facade Install Ongoing at Moxy Hotel

As framing is nearly complete for the upcoming 24-story Moxy Hotel, glass facade work is also well underway.  The new hotel, located in Boston's Theater District will feature 346 micro guest rooms, each just around 175 sf. Guests of the hotel will have access to a rooftop bar as well as meeting rooms, and a fitness center.

The hotel is expected to open in June 2019.

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.

Framing Underway at 206 West Broadway in South Boston

Framing is underway for the upcoming mixed-use building located at 206 West Broadway in South Boston.  The project is set to include 16 rental units, all designated as affordable.  The units will be a mix of studios and one bedrooms.  The ground floor of the building will include around 1000 sf of commercial space.

Interior Finishing Underway at Treadmark 2.0 in Dorchester

Interior finishing is underway for the 83 residential units coming to Dorchester Avenue across from Ashmont Station. Treadmark 2.0 is expected to open in November 2018 after a fire destroyed the project last summer prior to initial opening. Of the 83 units, 51 are designated as affordable rentals and 32 will be condos. The ground floor of the project will include a 5,000 sf commercial space to feature specialty food market, American Provisions. 

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.

$250 Million Development of Motor Mart Garage

CIM Group and Boston Global Investors have submitted a detailed project notification for the redevelopment of the Motor Mart Garage. The plans call for a 20 story tower to rise out of the existing building (for a total of 28 stories).  In total approximately 390 residential units (apartments and condos) would be created, ranging in size from studios to three bedrooms. 672 of the current 1037 parking spaces will be retained and around 46,000 square feet of retail space will be renovated.

John Hynes of BGI tells BLDUP the team expects to start construction in October of this year with an anticipated completion in May 2022.

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.

The Benjamin & Via Refinanced for $468 Million

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

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

Framing Underway at NEMA Boston

The framing for NEMA Boston, 399 Congress Street, is rising in the Seaport district.  The upcoming, 414 unit luxury building will include residences ranging from "micro" innovation units to three-bedrooms. Luxury resident amenities at NEMA Boston will be housed on the 21st floor of the building, framed by stunning views of the Boston skyline.  Around 2,500 square feet of retail, innovation and lobby space will be located across NEMA Boston's ground floor. A three-level parking garage will sit underneath the tower containing 144 parking spaces.

NEMA Boston is set to open in Fall 2019.

Site Work Continues for Omni Hotel Seaport

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

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

Notice of Project Change for Parcel U in Jamaica Plain

Located on an approximately 126,070 square foot former MBTA site in Jamaica Plain and bound by Hyde Park Avenue, Ukraine Way, Tollgate Cemetery, and the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks, Parcel U will create 54 homeownership units, over the course of two phases.

Originally approved in 2014, the approval of this NPC will increase the number of units in Phase B of the project from 24 to 30. The project will also create two new pocket parks for the public. 

Hotel to Residential Conversion Approved in Brighton

The 40 Mount Road project will transform an existing hotel into 151 homeownership residential units. The project will be a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom residential units, and is located in proximity to the B Branch of the MBTA Green Line. 

The public realm surrounding the project will be improved with approximately 10,000 square feet of landscaped space lining the property on both Mount Hood and Egremont Roads, creating an active edge along a corridor that connects the residential neighborhood to Commonwealth Avenue. The area will be enhanced for pedestrians with new street furniture, trees, plantings, lighting and path patterning. 

40 Mount Hood Road exceeds the required IDP and will have 16 percent of units as income-restricted. This means 24 of the total units will be income-restricted, of which 10 will be made affordable to households earning no more than 80 percent AMI.

Included in the project is a robust transportation mitigation package, consisting of $75,000 toward the Allston-Brighton Mobility Study, $20/month per unit for five years for a shuttle service, MBTA, or other transit measure deemed appropriate by BPDA, and the installation of a Blue Bike Station on the project site or in close proximity. 

The developer will also contribute $75,000 toward public realm improvements along Commonwealth Avenue, including necessary upgrades to the pedestrian signals and accessible ramps at the Commonwealth Avenue and Mount Hood Road intersection. In addition, the developer will contribute $25,000 to the City of Boston's Parks and Recreation. 

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.

$750 Million One Dalton Tower Tops Off

The highly anticipated One Dalton tower has topped off on this sweltering August day. The $750 million project will be the tallest residential tower in New England at 740 feet and 61 stories tall and will consist of 712,500 square feet of residential, hotel and retail space. One Dalton's upper floors will contain 180 private luxury condominium residences. Underneath will be a Four Seasons luxury hotel with 215 rooms.

One Dalton building amenities will include a lap pool, a fitness center, a salon with manicure, pedicure and hair styling services, a private yoga and pilates studio, a golf simulator room with a wet bar and a private theater room. A 50th floor Private Residents’ Club Lounge designed by Thierry Despont will feature a dining room, a lounge area, a fully appointed bar and catering kitchen and a terrace with sweeping views of the Charles River and Boston skyline. A new 5,000 square foot park will be constructed at One Dalton's ground level.

Framing Started at A.O. Flats in Forest Hills

Framing is underway for the A.O. Flats, phase three of the development at Parcel U in Jamaica Plain.  This part of the project will include 78 apartments along with 1600sf of ground floor retail. Resident amenities at A.O. Flats will include a fitness center, a common lounge and bicycle storage.

Exterior Work Nearing Completion at Emmanuel College's Julia Hall

Electrical Work Underway at The Graphic

Certificate of Occupancy issued at Orient Heights

A Certificate of Occupancy has been issued at the Orient Heights Redevelopment in East Boston with phase one complete. Phase One, was budgeted at approximately $52 million and replaced four existing buildings containing 90 apartments with 120 affordable housing units across a series of townhouses and one mid-rise building. 

The four-phased Orient Heights Redevelopment will replace 331 public housing units built in 1951 with 415 housing units, including 373 affordable and 42 market-rate.

Orient Heights Redevelopment NPC approval keeps the project moving forward

Phase One of the Orient Heights Redevelopment was completed in Spring 2018. Phase Two of the revised project consists of the demolition of four structures on the northwestern edge of the project site and the construction of 88 residential units with a combination of the townhouse and mid-rise buildings, community space in the mid-rise building, 76 vehicle parking spaces, and open space and public realm improvements.

The NPC includes the following proposed changes to the project as it was originally approved:

• A decrease of four residential units to be constructed as part of the Phase Two project, bringing the total from 92 to 88 units.

• The elimination of two parking spaces, bringing the total from 78 to 76 parking spaces.

• The elimination of 42 non-public residential units from the project, bringing the total number of residential units from 373 (a combination of public and non-public residential units) to 331 units (all public housing units).

• The elimination of 49 parking spaces from the project, bringing the total number from 306 to 265 on-street and off-street parking spaces.

• The elimination of approximately 57 bicycle parking spaces from the project, bringing the total number from 388 to 331 bicycle parking spaces.

• An increase of approximately 73,290 square feet of open space from the project, bringing the total from 87,985 square feet to 161,275 square feet of open space.

• The elimination of a roadway connection from Waldemar Avenue to Vallar Road.

• The existing community center within the project site will be renovated instead of newly constructed, 1,000 square feet of community gathering space will be provided in Phase Two and 5,200 square feet of community gathering space will be provided in Phase Three.

Construction Complete At Stillings Street Garage Expansion

Construction is now complete at the Stillings Street Garage Expansion in Fort Point. The Expansion of the existing Stillings Street parking garage included new office and retail space that is now available for lease. The existing building features six stories of garage parking underneath two stories of office space. A two-story, 54,712-square-foot steel addition has been constructed atop the existing eight-story building, expanding the building to 10 stories high and expanding rentable office space to 109,807 square feet from 55,095. 

A section of the building's ground floor along Boston Wharf Road has been converted into 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. As part of the project, total parking spaces at the Stillings Street parking garage have decreased to 559 from 583.

Exterior Work Continues at Treadmark in Dorchester

The Treadmark in Dorchester has once again reached its full height of six stories after a fire last year forced the demolition of most of the original wood framing.  Exterior work now continues on the 83 unit project. Directly across from the Ashmont, MBTA Station, the development will include a common roof deck, underground parking, and around 5,000 square-feet of ground floor retail.

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.

City Hall Plaza Renovation Moves Forward

After years of planning, the renovation of City Hall Plaza is moving forward according to city officials. The $60 million plan will overhaul City Hall Plaza with construction expected to begin in 2019. As a result of the renovation, Boston Winter will not be open this winter at the plaza. 

The new designs plans call for a more accessible plaza, including plans for a seasonal fountain, tree-covered gathering spots and a small park near Cambridge Street. The plans could potentially include a 5,000-square-foot restaurant on City Hall’s third floor.

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.

Cambridge Affordable Housing Project Mortgaged

The property at 671-675 Concord Ave in Cambridge, MA has been mortgaged for $5,054,745 million. The proposed 6-story residential building which would be Cambridge’s largest new-construction 100% affordable housing development in over 40 years. 

HRI Concord Highlands would feature 98 affordable apartment residences including 1-, 2- and 3- bedrooms available to extremely low- (below 30% AMI), low- (up to 60% AMI), moderate- (60-80% AMI) and middle income (80-100% AMI) households. Residences would include 32 one-bedrooms, 45 two-bedrooms and 21 three-bedrooms.

Modular Boxes in Place at The Graphic Charlestown

With the modular boxes in place, work continues on the exterior of the new construction element of the The Graphic in Charlestown.  Renovations of the existing Graphic Arts Building are also ongoing.  The total project, located in Sullivan Square, will include a total of 171 residential apartments when complete.

Construction at One Dalton Reaches 60th Floor

Construction at One Dalton has reached the 60th floor and is proceeding at a clip of about one and a half floors per week.  Upon completion, One Dalton will be the tallest residential building in all of New England – transforming Boston’s skyline at 742 feet tall.  

One Dalton, which will house 215 Four Seasons hotel rooms and 160 luxury condominium residences, is scheduled top off in July 2018 and the new five-star Four Seasons hotel will be open for business in March 2019.

Exterior finishing continues on One Dalton

Work continues on the exterior of One Dalton with over half of the exterior glass facade now in place.  As the 61 story tower continues to take shape it's presence has already changed the iconic Boston skyline.

With an expected opening of first quarter 2019, pre-sales continue as buyers look to join this exclusive new community.

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.

Construction Continues at the Moxy

Construction continues at the Moxy Hotel.at 240 Tremont Street in Boston's Theater District.

The Moxy Hotel Boston is a 24-story hotel located in Downtown Boston's Theater District featuring 346 "micro" guest rooms. Each room at the Moxy Hotel will be approximately 175 square feet in size. Amenities will include a rooftop bar and lounge as well as meeting rooms, a kitchen and dining area and a fitness center.

Lovejoy Wharf Mortgaged For $125 Million

Related Beal, the developer of Lovejoy Wharf, has mortgaged the property via Deutsche Bank USA for $125 million.

The development features 160 North Washington Street, the completed redevelopment of the historic Hoffman Building into 214,000 square feet of office space housing the headquarters of the Converse footwear company. The property also features 100 Lovejoy Wharf, a 157-residence, 15-story, 250,000 square foot luxury condominium building with ground-floor retail space.

The Graphic to Live Stream Stacking of Modular Boxes

There will be a live stream of the stacking of the modular boxes which will make up the new four-story modular building on site. A total of approximately 171 residential apartments will be built at 32 Cambridge Street, including 46 apartments in the Graphic Arts Building and 125 in the new-construction building.

Residential apartments at The Graphic will include studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms. Approximately 5,000 square feet of retail space will be located on The Graphic's ground floor. A 97-space parking garage will be built underneath the new-construction building.

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

Omni Hotel Ground Breaking Ceremony

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

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

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.

Night Moves: Night Shift Opening Lovejoy Wharf Location

Everett-based, Night Shift, a locally loved and award-winning micro-brewery plans on opening a second location under the Converse Building at Lovejoy Wharf. As the North Station area continues to boom, with the Hub on Causeway and multiple mixed-use developments in the area, the brewery will be a welcomed addition.

The upcoming brewpub will amass 12,000 square-feet of space at 1 Lovejoy Wharf and hopes that the additional location can continue to help establish them as a Boston brand. Seating will accommodate about 300 people and weather pending, people will have access to a waterfront patio that overlooks the Harborwalk  Night Shift is excited about is the transit-oriented location, being right next to North Station and the MBTA.

According to Eater Boston, Night Shift’s production manager Anna Jobe will manage the Lovejoy brewery’s 10-barrel brewing system, which has a capacity of about 2,500 barrels per year. The taproom is set to have 30 draft lines with the majority of the beers brewed on-site and only poured out of the Lovejoy facility.

Modular Boxes Arrive as The Graphic Pushes Forward

Things are stacking up at The Graphic in Charlestown, MA as 129 modular boxes arrived at the site this week and will soon be craned into place to construct this new contemporary apartment building.

Gathering in front of one of the first modular boxes to land at the project site include (pictured in link below, left to right): Dave Stockless, ICON Architecture, Inc.; Patrick Leblanc, RCM Group; Young Park, Berkeley Investments; Kendra Halliwell, ICON Architecture, Inc.; and Bart Tocci, Tocci Building Corporation.

Each modular box is 60-65 feet in length, weighs approximately 30,000 - 35,000 pounds, and requires approximately 20 minutes to be lifted into position. On average, 14 boxes can be placed daily, which means a new building of this size will be erected in approximately one month. The modular box pictured here contains elements of three units at The Graphic, including sections of a two-bedroom, a studio and a one-bedroom apartment. Now under construction, The Graphic is currently the largest modular project in Boston.

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

Steel and Metal Decking Underway

Work continues at 399 Congress, an upcoming 22-story mixed-use tower featuring 414 apartment residences ranging from innovation units to three-bedrooms. Current work on structural steel and metal decking in garage levels is underway

Ares Management Acquires 105 West First Street

New York-based, Ares Management, has acquired the development site for $25 million. The approved seven-story, 250,000 square foot research and development (R&D) office building that will be located on a 42,219 square foot site in South Boston across from A Street Park steps to the Channel Center development and the Broadway MBTA Red Line station. 

The building will contain office, research, and development space, as well as ground-floor retail fronting West First Street, community-shared work or technology incubator space fronting West Second Street, convener space, and tenant amenities. A roof deck will be located on the building's top floor.

Oxford Properties Group $15 million Ground Lease

New York-based, Westbrook Partners, has agreed to a ground lease of their property at 73-79 Essex Street, Boston, MA. The $15 million lease has been granted to Essex Street Owner, LLC, a business entity of the Oxford Properties Group. Currently proposed is new-construction of a 17-story hotel building containing approximately 250 guest rooms. Amenities would include a fitness room, meeting rooms, a lounge and food service. The building would be located on an 8,095 square foot site; an existing 8-story building would be demolished.

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.

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

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

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

Site work continues at 399 Congress

Rebar and plumbing placement ongoing on upcoming 22-story mixed-use tower featuring 414 apartment residences ranging from innovation units to three-bedrooms. Additional work to include mud mat and foundation slab pours.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Thursday, March 15th at 545 Medford St, Charlestown, Massachusetts at 6 PM there will be a public council hearing regarding the development of One Charlestown. 

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. 

On Friday, March 2nd, the Los Angeles based, CIM Group filed plans with the Boston Planning & Development Agency to move forward with construction of a 17-story, 280-unit residential tower above the existing nine-story Motor Mart garage located in Boston's Back Bay. This comes two years after the group purchased the garage for $162.5 million in 2016.

178 residences proposed at site of Brighton motel

A newly proposed development would replace the existing Hotel Boston motel at 40 Mount Hood Road in Brighton with 178 residences. The proposed five-to-seven-story building, which would be located just off of Commonwealth Avenue steps from the MBTA Green Line, would contain 64 apartments and 114 condominiums. Amenities would include lounges, fitness space and an outdoor courtyard with a pool.

142 garage parking spaces would be located on site, including 114 for condominiums and 28 for apartments. Construction of the 40 Mount Hood Road development is expected to start in Spring 2019 and last approximately 24 months. Proponent 1650 Commonwealth LLC has filed plans for 40 Mount Hood Road with the City of Boston, who is now reviewing the proposed development.

Phase One of Whitter Choice public housing redevelopment in Roxbury breaks ground

The first phase of the $44 million redevelopment of the Whittier Choice public housing complex in Roxbury Crossing has broken ground. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday (March 1st), during which a building was ceremonially demolished to make way for a new five-story building containing 83 residential units, which will be the redevelopment's first building. In total, the redevelopment will create approximately 387 affordable and market-rate apartment and condominium residential units, 187 more than are currently located at the development, as well as a new 7,680-square-foot retail component. A total of three new buildings will be constructed. The following are photographs from the groundbreaking ceremony:

Thanks to all who came to the groundbreaking ceremony and shared these exciting times with residents and partners. The future looks bright! @marty_walsh @POAHCommunities @MadisonParkDC @HUDNewEngland @SoniaChangDiaz @MassEOHED @MassHousing #Boston #WhittierChoice #Roxbury pic.twitter.com/ghQP7pgGtq

— Boston Housing Auth. (@BHA_Boston) March 1, 2018

Work underway at The Graphic, 171 new apartments coming to Sullivan Square

Work is well underway at The Graphic, a 171-unit apartment development slated for completion this Fall that will bring new residential presence to Sullivan Square. The development consists of two components: the existing Graphic Arts Building, a brick-and-beam former factory, is being restored into 46 loft apartments with authentic beams and columns, and a new four-story modular building containing 125 apartments is being built on site.

Replacement of the Graphic Arts Building’s windows and sandblasting of the interior is complete, and the construction team is now at work installing HVAC utilities, framing individual apartments and installing interior finishes. Construction of the modular building’s foundation is nearing completion, and installation of individual modules to construct the building’s superstructure is expected to commence in April. The modular building will also contain The Graphic’s parking garage.

The Graphic will contain amenities including a Club Room, a game room, a fitness center, a yoga studio and outdoor spaces. The following is a photograph of The Graphic:

Aptiv leases 62,000 square feet at 100 Northern Avenue in Seaport District

British autonomous car and vehicle safety company Aptiv has leased 62,000 square feet across several floors at 100 Northern Avenue, a recently constructed 17-story, 534,000-square-foot office building located in Boston’s Seaport District. Aptiv’s space will house about 300 employees and open in mid-2018, joining anchor tenant law firm Goodwin, who leases 375,000 square feet across the seventh through 17 floors and a portion of the sixth floor.

Aptiv’s space will include the headquarters of nuTonomy, the autonomous car startup that has partnered with rideshare provider Lyft to test autonomous cars throughout the Seaport District. Aptiv, formerly known as Delphi, acquired nuTonomy for $450 million in October 2017. nuTonomy will relocate from its’ current office at the Seaport District’s Innovation and Design Building.

With Aptiv’s lease, about 79,000 square feet of office space remain for lease at 100 Northern Avenue. The building’s ground floor contains 18,000 square feet of retail home to a Sorelle cafe and a Wagamama restaurant. 100 Northern Avenue is located on the edge of Boston Harbor, with sweeping views of the water and the Boston skyline. The building was completed in Summer 2016 by The Fallon Company, and sold to Deutsche Bank of Germany for $447 million in March 2017.

Co-working space and software company lease space at expanded Stillings Street Garage in Fort Point

Co-working space provider Industrious and insurance software company Duck Creek Technologies have each leased approximately 30,000 square feet at the newly expanded Stillings Street Garage in Fort Point. Each tenant will occupy a full floor of the building; approximately 60,000 square feet of office space across floors eight and nine remain for lease.

Industrious' space will be its' first co-working space in Boston, and is expected to open this Winter. The space, located on floor seven, will feature amenities including a coffee bar and lounge, conference rooms and relaxation areas, as well as a rooftop terrace with panoramic city views. Duck Creek's space will be located on floor 10; the company is currently a tenant at nearby 51 Sleeper Street, also located in Fort Point.

Office space at the Stillings Street Garage has been expanded to about 110,000 total square feet with a new two-story addition totaling approximately 55,000 square feet, doubling available office space. Additionally, approximately 3,000 square feet of retail have been added along the garage's ground floor. Over 550 parking spaces are located at the garage following its' expansion.

Vertical construction of Theater District’s 24-story Moxy Hotel tower beginning

The 24-story concrete superstructure of the upcoming Moxy Hotel tower at the corner of Stuart and Tremont Streets in the Theater District will begin its’ rise into the Boston skyline in the coming weeks, with the project’s tower crane now in place. The crane will be used to support the superstructure’s construction, and will stand within the tower’s footprint in order to make optimal use of the small downtown project site, where space is limited.

The 346-room Moxy Hotel will be located across from the W Hotel and recently completed AVA Theater District apartments, surrounded by some of Boston’s top nightlife options and minutes from the Financial District, the South End and the Seaport District. At the Moxy Hotel’s summit will be a new rooftop bar overlooking the Boston skyline. The tower’s base will host a new two-story electronic billboard. The following is a photograph of the Moxy Hotel’s new tower crane:

Dan Lebiedz on LinkedIn: "The tower crane was erected...

The tower crane was erected this weekend on our Moxy Hotel project in Boston. This installation took nearly six months of planning and required a t...

Coppersmith Village apartments on East Boston Waterfront top off, condominium foundation work underway

Coppersmith Village’s two multifamily buildings along Border Street, which will feature 56 rental apartments located steps from the East Boston Waterfront, have topped off at five stories tall. Along Liverpool Street, the foundation of 15 ownership condominium townhouses are being constructed. Green Zip R sheathing has been fully installed along the multifamily buildings’ facades, and exterior balconies have been framed. Installation of the multifamily buildings’ windows is expected to begin imminently, and roofing work is nearing completion. Once the multifamily buildings are sealed, interior finishing work will be able to commence. Construction of the townhouses’ wooden structural frames is expected to begin later this month. The following are photographs of Coppersmith Village:

New-construction Class A office space completed at Two Wells Avenue in Newton

Newton’s Wells Avenue premier office district has received 135,000 square feet of new Class A office space with the completion of Two Wells Avenue, a new-construction office building featuring a floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall facade and a modern amenity package. Two Wells Avenue was constructed off of the bones of a single-story, 69,000-square-foot office building constructed over 40 years ago. About 20,000 square feet of the original building were preserved.

The original Two Wells Avenue was partially demolished and expanded to three stories in height, nearly doubling the property’s square footage. New utilities and underground storm water filtration were added, and the building was outfitted with exquisite finishes such as stone interior floors and wood exterior accents. A new grand lobby featuring a two-story waterfall and a cafe was constructed at the building’s entrance.

Office space at Two Wells Avenue is now available for lease. The building is located minutes from the new Kendrick Street exit on Interstate 95/128, as well as the Needham Street retail corridor. Downtown Boston and Cambridge are located a short drive away as well. The following are photographs of Two Wells Avenue:

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.

One Dalton hotel component tops off, work on upper floor condominiums begins

One Dalton’s 23-story, 215-key hotel component has topped off, and work has begun to construct the tower’s 180 luxury condominium residences and exclusive amenity spaces on floors 24 through 61. About 20 stories of One Dalton’s blue glass curtain wall facade have been constructed, and the tower is now beginning to surpass the height of the adjacent 30 Dalton and Sheraton Hotel towers on its’ way to becoming the Back Bay and Boston’s third-tallest tower at 61 stories and 740 feet high. One Dalton’s concrete superstructure is expected to top off in mid-2018, with completion expected by late 2018.

Condominiums at One Dalton are now on sale starting at $2.75 million. At the tower's summit will be three two-level Penthouse Estates, two of which are reportedly under agreement. One of the Penthouse Estates has reportedly sold to Dell Technologies Chairman & CEO Michael Dell, and one reportedly sold for about $40 million. A third Penthouse Estate is currently offered for $40 million.

Amenities at One Dalton will include a pool and fitness center, a salon, a yoga and pilates studio and a 50th floor Private Residents’ Club Lounge featuring an indoor lounge and dining area as well as an outdoor terrace with sweeping views of the Charles River and Boston skyline. The following are photographs of One Dalton:

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

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

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

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.

Rebuilding of Dorchester's fire-ravaged Treadmark mixed-use development begins

Trinity Financial has commenced rebuilding its' Treadmark mixed-use development across from Ashmont Station in Dorchester, after a fire destroyed the nearly-completed building last summer. Following the demolition of prior wood framing atop the building's base podium, new wood framing materials have been delivered onto the site to re-frame Treadmark's five upper floors. Upon completion, Treadmark will feature 83 residential units, including 51 affordable rental units and 32 ownership condominiums, as well as approximately 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space anchored by South Boston-based specialty food retailer American Provisions. The following is a photograph of Treadmark:

The framing materials delivered to @livetreadmark to rebuild its 51 affordable LIHTC rentals; 32 condos (4 affordable, 16 "workforce" priced); & 5K sf commercial space as seen from @CarruthCondos roof #TOD #smartgrowth #greatneighbhorhoods #completestreets pic.twitter.com/6kGWwtdmSM

— Greater Ashmont MS (@greaterashmont) December 19, 2017

Developer acquires site of approved 250-unit Forest Hills apartment development for $11.75 million

Criterion Development Partners has acquired the 2.2-acre site of its' approved 250-unit Residences at Forest Hills development, located across from Forest Hills Station, for $11.75 million. Criterion received approval from the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to construct the $101 million, 235,000-square-foot project last summer. The project site is currently used as a surface commuter parking lot. The Residences at Forest Hills will also include 4,070 square feet of ground-floor retail and will be composed of three new buildings.

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:

278-foot residential tower proposed atop Motor Mart Garage in Bay Village

CIM Group of Los Angeles, who acquired the nine-story, 420,000 square foot Motor Mart Garage at 201 Stuart Street in Bay Village for $162.5 million in October 2016, proposes to construct a 278-foot-tall residential tower above the garage. The existing facade would be renovated, and the garage would continue to be used as vehicle parking, including parking for tower residents; the garage currently contains 1,037 parking spaces. Per The Boston Sun, CIM hopes to start construction of the tower next summer and will likely file a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) formally proposing the project in the coming weeks.

CIM also acquired the 200 Stuart Street Garage, a seven-story, 826-space parking garage located across from the Motor Mart Garage adjacent to the Revere Hotel, for $95 million in July 2017. CIM has not disclosed plans to construct a tower atop the 200 Stuart Street Garage, which is currently home to the popular Rooftop@Revere rooftop outdoor bar and lounge. A 19-story, 199-foot-tall tower featuring 131 apartment residences and approximately 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail was recently approved for construction at 212 Stuart Street, next to the 200 Stuart Street Garage and across from the Motor Mart Garage. CIM also recently acquired 321 Harrison Avenue in the South End, a property featuring an 11-story, 235,000-square-foot office building and three-story, 300-car garage atop which an eight-story, 232,500 square foot office development is approved, for $114.2 million in September 2017. CIM is reportedly weighing speculatively constructing the office development.

Construction of 78 mixed-income apartments begins at Parcel U in Forest Hills

Construction of A.O. Flats, a five-story mixed-use building at the corner of Hyde Park Avenue and Ukraine Way in Jamaica Plain’s Forest Hills neighborhood, has begun. Developed by The Community Builders, the LEED Silver-sustainable A.O. Flats will feature 78 mixed-income apartment residences, including 38 designated affordable to middle-income households and 40 designated affordable to low-income households, with 1,620 square feet of ground-floor retail and 1,040 square feet of community space. Initial site excavation at the A.O. Flats site is now underway in order to construct the building’s 42-car underground parking garage.

A.O. Flats will be the third phase of the Parcel U development; the first phase, 24 energy-efficient townhouse condominium residences known as Tilia, is now complete, and the second phase, 24 additional townhouse condominiums, will soon begin construction. Phases One and Two are developed by Urbanica in partnership with Luzern Associates. The 2.9-acre Parcel U is located steps from the Forest Hills transit station. The following are photographs of work underway at A.O. Flats:

Exciting construction started at A.O. Flats at Forest Hills, a 5 story mixed use, transit-oriented affordable housing development at in #JamaicaPlain. This development will create 78 new units of mixed-income,energy efficient LEED-Silver “certified” housing & commercial space. pic.twitter.com/0jVByHprBf

— Boston's DND (@BostonNeighbor) December 7, 2017

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

Ground lease secured for Newtonville mixed-use development breaking ground Spring 2018

Dinosaur Capital Partners and Oaktree Development have secured a 99-year ground lease for the City of Newton-owned surface parking lot at 28 Austin Street in Newtonville, which the developers will transform into a mixed-use development breaking ground Spring 2018. The 28 Austin Street development will feature 68 apartment residences, including 23 (34%) affordable, with 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail including an innovation center. The development will also restore existing public parking and create new public space. Construction completion of the 28 Austin Street development is expected in Summer 2019.

Michael Dell scoops up second Boston penthouse at 61-story One Dalton tower

Dell Technologies Chairman & CEO Michael Dell has reportedly entered a contract to acquire one of three $40 million penthouse residences atop the 61-story One Dalton tower under construction in the Back Bay, which, following Dell’s acquisition of a Millennium Tower penthouse residence last year, would make Dell the owner of penthouses at both of Boston’s, and New England’s, tallest residential towers. Per a Wall Street Journal report, Dell’s penthouse will be approximately 7,300 square feet in size across two stories, with a 570-square-foot outdoor terrace.

Listed for sale at $40 million each, One Dalton’s penthouses are expected to be Boston’s most expensive ever sold, nearly 15% higher than the $35 million, 13,000-square-foot Millennium Tower penthouse acquired by billionaire John Grayken in 2016. Sales of condominiums at One Dalton have not yet closed. Dell purchased his 4,110-square-foot Millennium Tower penthouse for $10.9 million, closing on the residence in December 2016. Dell Technologies acquired Hopkinton, MA-based EMC Corporation for $60 billion in Fall 2016.

One Dalton will be Boston’s third-tallest building at 740 feet and 61 stories tall, featuring 180 private luxury condominium residences above a 215-room Four Seasons luxury hotel. Completion of One Dalton is expected in Fall 2018. The building has reached nearly half of its’ full height and is expected to top off in early 2018. The following is a photograph of One Dalton:

Looking forward to Back Bay’s new skyline addition, One Dalton, just over a year away from completion. Designed by the word-renowned Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and accomplished local firm Cambridge 7 Associates. Still hard to imagine even with the first 20 stories up! . . . . #luxuryresidentialboston #boston #bostonliving #backbayboston #fourseasons #fourseasonsboston #cityviews #cityliving #bostonskyline #luxuryliving #luxuryrealestate #luxurycondos #ultraluxury #newconstruction #followingboston #ig_boston #igersboston #bushari #bostonuncommon #onedalton #peicobbfreed #starchitect

A post shared by Mark Steinert (@luxuryresidentialboston) on Oct 27, 2017 at 1:22pm PDT

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

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

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

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

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.

Tilia condominiums, first phase of Parcel U development in Forest Hills, nearing completion

Construction of Tilia, a 24-unit condominium development across five new-construction buildings that is the first phase of the 200,000-square-foot Parcel U development in Jamaica Plain's Forest Hills neighborhood, is nearing completion. Exterior finishes have been just about fully installed along all five buildings' facades, and finishing touches are being placed upon kitchens, living areas and exterior roof decks and porches. 

Completion of Tilia is expected in November 2017. Residences are now on sale starting at $499,000 ranging from 1+bed, 1 bath to 3 bed, 2.5 bath configurations. The development, named after the Jamaica Plain neighborhood's abundance of flowering Tilia trees, is built to top sustainable standards. Each building features double insulated walls, triple pane windows, and high efficiency heating and cooling systems.

In total, the Parcel U development will construct 124 residences, including 48 condominiums and 76 apartments, as well as 1,620 square feet of ground-floor retail and 1,040 square feet of community space. The following is a photograph of Tilia, courtesy project general contractor Kaplan Construction:

Just a couple more months left of construction @ #TiliaJP. Thanks for the #drone shots @coolspacestv. #sustainablebuilding #transitcommunity pic.twitter.com/GOJKyyMZbT

— Kaplan Construction (@KaplanConstruct) October 17, 2017

Pre-leasing underway at Boston East apartments on East Boston Waterfront, opening this Fall

Pre-leasing has begun at the 200-unit Boston East new-construction apartment development opening this Fall on the East Boston Waterfront, which will feature studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments with rents starting at $1,950/month. Studios at Boston East range from $1,950 to $2,250 per month, 1-bedrooms begin at around $2,200 and cap out at about $2,800 per month, 2-bedrooms range from just under $3,100 to about $3,700 per month and 3-bedrooms can be rented starting at $4,800 per month. 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom loft-style apartments range from about $2,400 to just over $5,000 per month. Boston East apartments feature luxurious amenities including patios and balconies in select apartments, quartz countertops, hardwood flooring and oversized windows, with sweeping views of Boston Harbor throughout. Communal amenities include a top floor lounge and terrace, a courtyard with a fire pit and lounge areas, a state-of-the-art fitness center and on-site parking. The latest renderings of Boston East 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Foundation work nearing completion at East Boston’s Coppersmith Village, featuring rammed aggregate piers installed by Helical Drilling

The foundation of Coppersmith Village, a $33 million mixed-use development in East Boston featuring 71 residences and approximately 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, is nearing completion, with Helical Drilling about to complete installation of Geopier® Rammed Aggregate Pier® (RAP) elements in the development’s soil. RAP elements reinforce unsuitable soils, providing an improved subgrade in order to support conventional shallow footings and slab-on-grade floor loads. RAPs are particularly suitable for sites with caving soils, contaminated soils and/or shallow groundwater and provide enhanced stiffness of relatively soft soil layers, making RAPs an optimal choice to reinforce foundations of development projects built on sections of Boston, for instance the East Boston Waterfront, which were constructed through land-making with urban fill. RAP installation also generates little to no excess spoils and eliminates the need for casing or dewatering.

The foundation of Coppersmith Village’s south mixed-use building is complete; the building’s first-floor steel podium has been erected, and elevator shafts are about to top off at five stories tall. The south building’s concrete foundation base slab will be poured in mid-September, after which the top four floors will be framed with wood. Coppersmith Village's north mixed-use building’s foundation has been 80%-installed, and elevator shaft erection has begun. The north building’s steel podium will be erected starting the first week of September. Helical Drilling has completed installation of RAPs in the foundations of both mixed-use buildings, which are located along Border Street, and will install RAPs in the future foundation of Coppersmith Village’s 15 townhouse residences, which will be located along Liverpool Street, starting the first week of September. The following are photographs of Coppersmith Village, courtesy Tocci Building Corporation:

Boston East apartments facade nears completion, interior finishing underway

Nearly all brick and metal panel exterior finishes have been installed along the six-story facade of Boston East, an upcoming 200-unit luxury apartment building situated on the East Boston Waterfront. Boston East's exterior has been fully fireproofed, and all windows are in place. Inside the building, installation of luxurious reisdence and common space finishes is well underway. Boston East is expected to open this Fall. As part of the project, a new Harborwalk extension and public open space will be constructed along the waterfront. The following are photographs of Boston East:

Progress flying @LiveBostonEast 200 apartments, a kayak launch, and access to the publicly-accessible harborwalk #eastie #eastboston pic.twitter.com/HKkC5xijSK

— CranshawConstruction (@cranshawbuilds) August 24, 2017

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.

Weatherproofing and utility installation underway at Stillings Street Garage rooftop addition, office space now leasing

Weatherproofing of the facade of the two-story, 54,712-square-foot steel addition to the existing eight-story Stillings Street Garage in Fort Point is now underway, with moisture-resistant cladding installation beginning and steel infill wall installation complete. Moisture-resistant cladding will be installed along the infill walls in the coming weeks, after which silver exterior finish panels and windows will be installed. Parallel to Boston Wharf Road, the addition will feature a floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall. Inside the addition, pouring of concrete floors is complete, and HVAC utility installation is beginning. HVAC systems are ready for installation on the addition’s roof and will be installed in the coming weeks. The Stillings Garage Expansion Project will expand rentable office space at the Stillings Street parking garage to 109,807 square feet from 55,095 and convert a section of the building's ground floor along Boston Wharf Road into 3,000 square feet of retail. The following are photographs of the Stillings Street Garage Expansion:

Drilled shaft installation underway at Moxy Hotel, upcoming 24-story tower in Theater District

Drilled shafts extending nearly 100 feet below grade are now being installed on the future site of the 24-story, 346-room Moxy Hotel tower in the Theater District, strengthening the tower's foundation. Nearly 100-foot-deep holes are now being drilled, after which concrete is being placed within to construct the shafts. The tower's foundation will be completed in the coming months, after which construction of the tower's superstructure will begin. The Moxy Hotel will feature a top-floor rooftop bar overlooking the Boston skyline. A two-story electronic billboard will be integrated into the Moxy Hotel's facade at the corner of Stuart and Tremont Streets. The following is a photograph of construction underway at the Moxy Hotel:

Dan Lebiedz on LinkedIn: "Our partners at Hub Foundations...

Our partners at Hub Foundations have begun the installation of the drilled shafts on our Moxy Hotel project. These shafts extend nearly 100 ft thro...

Ribbon cut on Lovejoy Wharf luxury condos

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held last week for the new Lovejoy Wharf waterfront luxury condominiums in Bulfinch Triangle, marking the completion of construction and welcoming the building's first residents, who will take occupancy this Fall. Lovejoy Wharf developer Related Beal was joined by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack at the ribbon cutting. Lovejoy Wharf feautres 157 condominium residences now on sale, located steps from Downtown Boston and multiple dining and shopping options. Available residences include studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms and three-bedrooms, with prices starting at $750,000. Lovejoy Wharf residents will have access to exclusive amenities including a landscaped 12th floor rooftop terrace, a spacious wharfside health club, a fitness studio, a resident lounge, a waterfront event room, a distinctive fireside library lounge, a billiards room, a business center and a children’s room. The following is a photograph from the ribbon cutting ceremony, courtesy Related Beal:

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

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

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

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

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:

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

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

Concrete superstructure rising at One Dalton, New England’s future tallest residential tower

One Dalton future 61-story superstructure, which will be the tallest residential tower in New England, is rising rapidly and has reached over 10 stories high. At One Dalton’s base, the first glass curtain wall sections have been installed; the first glass panels were installed at One Dalton on June 22nd. Installation of mechanical systems is underway throughout the tower; on Level 7, installation of One Dalton’s pool is now underway. One Dalton is expected to top off in early 2018 and open in Fall 2018. The tower will feature 180 private luxury condominium residences above a 215-room Four Seasons luxury hotel. The following are photographs of One Dalton:

Spring 2018 groundbreaking anticipated for approved Newtonville mixed-use development

28 Austin Street, a mixed-income housing development with ground-floor retail that will transform an existing surface parking lot in the heart of Newtonville, is set to break ground in Spring 2018. A settlement has been reached with residents who sued to prevent 28 Austin Street’s development, ending over a year of delays. “With this settlement agreement, a major impediment to a timely construction commencement has been resolved,” said 28 Austin Street developer Scott Oran in a letter to Newton city officials. Terms of the settlement are confidential; the residents have agreed to drop all claims against the developers. The developers are now working with MassHousing to finalize financing for the project. 28 Austin Street was originally approved in December 2015 and will feature 68 mixed-income apartment residences with 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail; 23 residences at 28 Austin Street will be designated affordable. Completion of 28 Austin Street is expected in 2019.

399 Congress mixed-use tower in Seaport District starts foundation work, new rendering revealed

Preparations for foundation work are now underway at the future site of the 22-story 399 Congress mixed-use tower in the Seaport District, which will feature 414 apartment residences and approximately 12,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, innovation and lobby space. Foundation work, including excavation of the building’s three-level, 144-space underground parking garage, is scheduled to last through next April, at which point structural frame construction will begin.

399 Congress' facade will feature a mix of dark and light grey metal panels with glass curtain wall, as opposed to the originally-proposed tan finish panels; the latest 399 Congress rendering is posted above. The building will be located across from the $900 million, 1.3-million-square-foot Echelon Seaport mixed-use development, which broke ground last month, and steps from the $157 million, 325,000-square-foot Waterside Place Phase 1B mixed-use development, which is expected to start construction this year. Developer Crescent Heights acquired the 0.7-acre 399 Congress Street site for $36 million in January 2016. Crescent Heights recently closed on $157 million of construction financing for 399 Congress provided by The Union Labor Life Insurance Company.

Zoning Board approves The Residences at Forest Hills, 250 new apartments with retail

Last week, the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approved The Residences at Forest Hills, a new mixed-use development in Jamaica Plain featuring 250 apartment residences with 4,070 square feet of ground-floor retail. The project has now received all necessary approvals and can proceed with construction. The $101 million Residences at Forest Hills will replace an existing commuter parking lot located across from the Forest Hills rapid transit station with three new buildings.

32-story tower proposed at Huntington Theater site in Fenway, existing theater would be retained and expanded

QMG Huntington LLC proposes to construct an iconic 32-story, 405,500-square-foot mixed-use tower at the 0.76-acre Huntington Theater site in the Fenway, creating new residential and retail space while expanding and preserving the Huntington Theater Company (HTC)’s existing 890-seat, 35,654-square-foot theater. The theater would be gifted to HTC, allowing the company to keep its’ prime location on Boston’s Avenue of the Arts for the foreseeable future. 14,000 square feet of new theater space would be constructed across the first two floors of the proposed tower; the space, which would be leased to HTC at a nominal rent, would be connected to the existing theater and would include a new accessible entrance.

The proposed tower would serve as a symbol of pride for the Avenue of the Arts, with a facade inspired by Greek drama masks. The tower would feature 426 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment residences and approximately 7,500 square feet of retail and restaurant space across the first and second floors. QMG aims to start construction of the proposed project in the fourth quarter of 2018; construction would last approximately 26 months. A Project Notification Form (PNF) formally proposing the project has been filed with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), who is now reviewing the proposed project plans.

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

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

Rooftop office addition tops off at Stillings Garage in Fort Point, concrete floor construction underway

The steel frame of the two-story rooftop addition to the Stillings Street parking garage in Fort Point has been fully erected, with the final steel beam now installed. Steel decking is nearly fully installed at the bases of the addition's two office levels and roof, as well as the base of the addition's mechanical penthouse. Concrete will be poured atop the decking in the coming weeks in order to construct the addition's floors. Floor construction will be followed by installation of exterior finish panels along the addition's facade. The Stillings Garage Expansion Project will expand rentable office space at the Stillings Street parking garage to 109,807 square feet from 55,095 and convert a section of the building's ground floor along Boston Wharf Road into 3,000 square feet of retail. The following are photographs of the Stillings Garage Expansion project:

47-55 LaGrange Street, new mixed-use tower in Downtown Crossing, approved

47-55 LaGrange Street, a new 21-story mixed-use tower in the heart of Downtown Crossing featuring 176 residences, was approved at last night (June 15th, 2017)’s Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board Meeting. Construction of the 47-55 LaGrange Street tower is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2017, with expected completion in the fourth quarter of 2019. 47-55 LaGrange Street will require additional approval by the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in order to proceed with construction.

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.

105 West First Street, new 250,000-square-foot office building, approved in South Boston

105 West First Street, a new seven-story, 250,000-square-foot research and development (R&D) office building located in South Boston steps to Broadway Station, was approved at last night (June 15th, 2017)’s Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board Meeting. In addition to office space, 105 West First Street will feature 1,600 square feet of ground-floor retail, 2,400 square feet of convener space, 10,000 square feet of innovation space and 3,000 square feet of tenant amenity space. 105 West First Street will require additional approval by the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in order to proceed with construction. Construction of 105 West First Street is subject to finalization of necessary financing and leasing commitments.

Construction complete at Serenity Apartments, new Mission Hill luxury residences now leasing

Construction is complete at Serenity Apartments, a new 15-story luxury tower in Mission Hill featuring 195 distinctive residences now leasing. Move-ins at Serenity began earlier this month; the building was 40% pre-leased prior to opening. Churchill Corporate Housing, a short-term corporate housing provider, has leased 24 apartments at Serenity, which is managed by Greystar. Serenity is located steps to Brookline Village and the Longwood Medical Area and features the latest in-demand amenities, including Wi-Fi enabled common areas, a billiard room, meeting and collaborative areas, a private courtyard, a rooftop pool and lounge deck, a barbecue deck and a green roof. Direct-access garage parking with electric car charging stations is available on-site, in addition to Zipcars and bicycle storage. Serenity presents an unprecedented green living option, with LEED Gold energy-efficiency certification and direct access to the MBTA Green Line.

“As we designed the community, we knew we needed to create something special to draw tenants to this corridor from Fenway and other nearby neighborhoods,” said Anthony Nader, Vice President of Serenity developer Longwood Group. “The rooftop pool and amenity area are really something to be seen.” Serenity residents will be located in an area seeing tremendous growth, with a number of development projects planned, under construction and recently completed. “The leasing demand is showing that with a destination asset, that provides a great living experience, prospective residents are willing to move to this side of the Longwood Medical Area,” said Nader. “The growth coming down the Brookline Avenue corridor, with the Children’s Hospital expansion at Brookline Place, Homewood Suites and potentially an additional hotel at Brookline Avenue, has created an exciting area of the city to be in. More restaurants will activate the streetscape, but the neighborhood is already beginning to come alive.”

521 middle-income apartments envisioned on multi-acre Hyde Park site near commuter rail

The Noannet Group has revealed new details of its’ proposed Readville Campus 521-unit middle-income apartment development in Hyde Park, which would provide the City of Boston with much-needed middle-income housing located steps to the MBTA commuter rail with rents meaningfully below those in new developments in core neighborhoods. The development would include multiple amenities targeted towards innovative millennial residents, including a two-story workshare space encouraging residents to work from home, a large gym with multipurpose rooms and a half-court basketball court, a coffee house and a rooftop pool and hot tub. Readville Campus would be oriented about a central pedestrian plaza; 36% of the development would be comprised of landscaped green space. Readville Campus would open Sprague Pond to the public for the first time in decades, constructing a new park, waterfront restaurant and pondside lounge. Additional information about Readville Campus is posted above.

“The City of Boston is desperately in need of new housing designed not for the top or bottom ends of the income spectrum but for everyone in the middle,” said Jordan Warshaw, Founder and Principal of The Noannet Group, in a prepared statement. “By creating a development with over 500 new residences on an underutilized site surrounded by train tracks and directly adjacent to the Readville commuter rail station, we will not only help make a significant dent in the City’s middle income housing crisis but do it in a transit-oriented manner that will help minimize its impact on the surrounding community.” The Noannet Group has filed a Project Notification Form (PNF) with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) proposing to construct Readville Campus; the BPDA is now reviewing the project.

Brick finish installation underway at Boston East waterfront apartments in East Boston, artist residence applications begin

Brickwork has been installed along a large section of Boston East’s six-story facade facing Border Street. The building is fully framed, and fireproofing, weatherproofing and windows have all been installed along Boston East’s facade. Inside the building, fit-out of residences and common spaces has begun.

Developer Trinity Financial has begun accepting applications for Boston East’s six artist live-work residences, which will be rented to households earning no more than 70% of Area Media Income (AMI); Boston East will include a ground-floor local artwork gallery. Artist residences will be available for $1,450 per month; rents for market-rate residences at Boston East will range from $2,000 to $4,700 per month, averaging $2,900 per month. Opening in September, Boston East will feature 200 apartment residences along with a new Harborwalk extension and public waterfront space. The following are photographs of Boston East:

Initial demolition nears completion at East Boston’s Coppersmith Village mixed-use development

Initial demolition work is just about complete at Coppersmith Village, with only one partially-demolished structure left to clear. Following completion of demolition, work to construct foundations for Coppersmith Village’s two rental apartment buildings and 15 individually-owned townhouses will commence. In total, Coppersmith Village will feature 71 residences and approximately 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following are photographs of Coppersmith Village:

Early 2018 construction start eyed for Avalon Brighton luxury residences

AvalonBay is aiming to break ground early next year on Avalon Brighton, a proposed luxury residential development featuring 210 apartment and condominium residences. AvalonBay has officially filed revised plans for the project with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) in response to community feedback, reducing overall density and increasing public open space. Proposed rental apartments have been reduced by 40 units to 180 in response to concerns regarding resident transiency; 30 homeownership condominiums remain proposed. AvalonBay is exploring opportunities to increase the number of homeownership condominiums at Avalon Brighton. Approximately 51% of the Avalon Brighton site is now proposed to be open space. Construction of Avalon Brighton as proposed would last approximately 24 months. The BPDA is now reviewing AvalonBay’s revised plans.

Construction complete at Lovejoy Wharf luxury condominiums, new renderings revealed

Construction operations at 100 Lovejoy Wharf, a new 157-residence waterfront luxury condominium building in Bulfinch Triangle, are complete, and residences are now on sale. JM Electrical Company, Inc. has put the finishing touches upon 100 Lovejoy Wharf, installing a complete building automation system. Residences at Lovejoy Wharf will feature advanced in-unit HVAC controls, tailoring to residents’ specific needs and ensuring utmost comfort. The building’s state-of-the-art automation system will control heating ventilation and air conditioning across the new building, ensuring top-notch energy-efficiency.

Amenities at the now-complete Lovejoy Wharf condominium building include a private 12th floor terrace with sweeping views, a spacious wharfside health and wellness space, resident lounge space, a business center and more. Residences are now on sale, ranging from a 10th floor, 750-square foot 1-bedroom/1-bathroom residence offered for $915,000 ($1,220 per square foot; $915,000 per bedroom) to a 5th floor, 1,601-square-foot 3-bedroom/3-bathroom residence offered for $2.6 million ($1,623.99 per square foot; $866,666.67 per bedroom). New renderings, posted above, have been revealed of Lovejoy Wharf’s stunningly luxurious interior spaces.

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:

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

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

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.

125 Sumner Street, 52 waterfront mixed-income residences with ground-floor retail, approved in East Boston

125 Sumner Street, which will replace the aging Clippership Apartments public housing development with 52 waterfront mixed-income residences and 3,400 square feet of ground-floor retail, was approved at last night (May 11th, 2017)’s Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board Meeting. The building can now proceed with construction, which is anticipated to commence in the 4th quarter of this year and last approximately 15 months

Lovejoy Wharf luxury condos hit market, new renderings revealed

Sales have begun for the 157 new luxury condominium residences at Lovejoy Wharf, and stunning new renderings of the distinctive waterfront property have been revealed. Condominium prices start at $750,000; condominiums for sale average $1,343.26 per square foot, ranging from $755,000 for a 629-square-foot 7th floor studio to $2.6 million for a 1,601-square-foot 5th floor 3-bedroom/3-bathroom. The 15-story Lovejoy Wharf condominium building will feature state-of-the-art amenities; more information about amenities is posted above. Construction of the building is just about complete, with occupancy expected in Summer 2017. The following are the latest renderings and photographs of the Lovejoy Wharf condominium building:

Renderings

Photographs

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.

Sales start at Tilia condominiums, first phase of Parcel U development in Forest Hills

Sales have launched at Tilia, a 24-unit sustainable luxury condominium development located in Jamaica Plain’s Forest Hills neighborhood. Tilia is the first phase of the 200,000 square foot Parcel U development, which will construct 124 residences, including 48 condominiums and 76 apartments, as well as 1,620 square feet of ground-floor retail and 1,040 square feet of community space. Tilia condominiums start at $499,000 for an 828 square foot, 2-bedroom/1-bathroom unit, with units available up to 1,825 square feet in size.

Tilia is developed by a joint venture of Urbanica and Luzern Associates. Eastern Bank is providing $8.545 million of construction financing for Tilia, on which the development team closed in October 2016. Expected completion of Tilia is in late 2017. Renderings of Tilia, as well as more information, are posted above.

1,054-room Omni Hotel coming to Seaport District

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

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

One Dalton residence sells for $40 million, setting new Boston condominium sale record

A luxury residence at the Back Bay’s upcoming 61-story One Dalton tower has reportedly sold for $40 million, which would surpass Boston’s current condominium sale record by $5 million. The sale of a 13,000 square foot penthouse at Downtown Crossing’s Millennium Tower closed last August for $35 million, claiming Boston’s current sales record. The Millennium Tower penthouse sold for nearly $2,700 per square foot; square footage of the One Dalton residence which sold for $40 million has not yet been revealed.

Sales of One Dalton’s 180 luxury residences have not yet closed; a number of residences are reportedly under agreement with sale prices starting at $2.5 million. In an interview with Bloomberg, Richard Friedman, CEO of One Dalton developer Carpenter & Company, said that One Dalton is “the fastest-selling residential project in Four Seasons history,” and that about 90% of One Dalton buyers are American, with a large majority hailing from Boston. “We’ve sold to no Russians. Maybe one person from China, but they have a relationship to Boston, and a few units to people from Europe or the Middle East,” said Friedman.

Plans revised for proposed 105 West First Street office development in South Boston

Developers Ares Management and CV Properties have revised the proposed 105 West First Street office development in South Boston in response to community feedback. The proposed building’s height has been reduced from 8 stories to 7; as a result, total proposed square footage has been reduced by 15,000 square feet to approximately 250,000 total gross square feet, and height has been reduced to 102 feet high at West First Street and approximately 90 feet high at West Second Street. For comparison, the adjacent Channel Center Garage is 102 feet high.

105 West First Street's proposed entrance along West Second Street has also been altered to have more of “a sense of presence,” mirroring the entrance to the adjacent Artists For Humanity building. Updated renderings of the proposed 105 West First Street are posted above. The developers would also financially support a community request to add a pedestrian-only cycle to the nearby intersection of West Broadway & A Street, and improve signage and crosswalk striping at the nearby intersection of West Second Street & B Street.

Avalon Brighton plans revised to include less residences, more open space

AvalonBay Communities recently presented revised plans for the proposed Avalon Brighton residential development in response to community feedback. The revised plans call for a reduction in residences to 210 total, down from 250 as proposed in October 2016. 40 apartments have been eliminated from the development plan in response to concerns regarding resident transiency; accordingly, the project would now feature 180 apartments and 30 condominiums. Likewise, project density has been reduced by over 20%, and on-site open space coverage has been increased to 51% from 37%, reducing the project’s floor-area-ratio (FAR) to 1.7 from 2.1.

Under the revised plans, 210 parking spaces would be provided for residents, in addition to 10 newly-added visitor spaces, down from 250 spaces as previously proposed. Building design has been modified to provide an increased setback from neighborhood streets. As part of the project, a new bus shelter would be constructed at the intersection of Washington Street and Fidelis Way, and streetscape improvements would be made. Updated renderings of Avalon Brighton are posted above; the project remains under review by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA).

Fireproofing underway at Boston East, framing just about complete

Fireproofing and windows have been installed along a large section of Boston East’s topped-off north wing, and moisture-resistant cladding is in place along large sections of both the north and south wings. Wood framing of the south wing is just about topped off. Interior metal framing of individual apartment residences is underway across Boston East. Opening this Fall, the mixed-use development will feature 200 apartment residences with a Harborwalk extension and public waterfront amenities including art galleries, historic exhibits and a boat launch. The following are photographs of Boston East:

Finishing touches underway at Serenity Apartments, opening this Spring in Mission Hill

Serenity Apartments’ 15-story facade is nearly fully installed, and interior fit-out of luxury apartments and common spaces is nearly complete. Just about all exterior finish panels and windows have been installed, and nearly the entire interior has been plastered. State-of-the-art finishes and appliances are now being installed in apartments and common spaces. Opening this Spring, Serenity Apartments will feature 195 apartments including studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedrooms and amenities including a swimming pool, a fitness center and a green roof deck. The following are photographs of Serenity Apartments:

100 Northern Avenue Class A office building in Seaport District trades for $447 million

RREEF Property Trust, a division of Deutsche Bank of Germany, has acquired the recently opened, 515,000 square foot 100 Northern Avenue Class A office building in the Seaport District from developer The Fallon Company for $447 million. The sale amounts to about $868 per square foot. 100 Northern Avenue was developed for $300 million and opened in July 2016. The building is 75% occupied by lead tenant Goodwin LLP, with Sorelle Bakery & Cafe now open on 100 Northern Avenue's ground floor.

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:

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

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

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

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

New renderings revealed of planned Huntington Theater tower in Fenway

New renderings have been released of the tower planned at the site of the Huntington Theater in the Fenway. The latest renderings, which are posted above, show a 32-story structure with floor-to-ceiling windows on all floors as well as a large communal rooftop outdoor space. A fitness center is shown on the tower's 3rd floor, and a lounge area is shown on the tower's 4th floor. Current plans for the tower call for 350 to 400 residences above 2 stories of retail. The Huntington Theater building is planned to be retained and restored; two additional existing buildings would be demolished. Plans for the tower have not yet been filed with the City of Boston.

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.

Luxury apartments now leasing at Back Bay's 30 Dalton, Flour Bakery opening this Spring

Luxurious apartment residences with sweeping Boston skyline views are now leasing at the Back Bay's newly built 30 Dalton, which opened last Fall. On 30 Dalton's ground floor, fit out work is well underway for a new location of Flour Bakery, which will open this Spring. 30 Dalton features 218 apartment residences and 1,400 square feet of ground-floor retail space, in addition to a striking top-floor Skyline Suite resident lounge. The following are photographs of 30 Dalton:

One Dalton concrete superstructure pouring underway

One Dalton's 61-story, 740 foot tall concrete superstructure, which will be New England's tallest residential building upon completion, has risen 2 full stories. The construction team is now at work pouring One Dalton's 3rd floor concrete slab. Concrete will continue to be poured at a rate of 1 floor per week; One Dalton is expected to top off in early 2018. One Dalton will feature 180 private luxury condominium residences positioned above a 215-room Four Seasons luxury hotel. The following are photographs of One Dalton:

Lovejoy Wharf luxury condominium sales launching in April, new amenity details revealed

Related Beal has announced that sales of the 157 new luxury condominium residences at Lovejoy Wharf will commence in April, with occupancy slated for Summer 2017. Sales are expected to start at $750,000, with residences ranging from studios to three-bedrooms. New details of condominium amenities at Lovejoy Wharf have been released; the latest details are posted above. Distinctive amenities at Lovejoy Wharf will include a landscaped 12th floor rooftop terrace with sweeping views, as well as 34-bottle wine coolers by Gaggenau and Kaldewei deep-soaking tubs in each residence.

Demolition underway to make way for East Boston's Coppersmith Village

Demolition of existing buildings has commenced at the future site of East Boston's 71-unit mixed-income Coppersmith Village residential development. Once the buildings are cleared, foundation work will begin for Coppersmith Village's 2 main rental apartment buildings and 15 individual ownership townhouses. In addition to residences, Coppersmith Village will include approximately 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The following is a photograph of demolition underway at Coppersmith Village:

The demolition of rundown buildings on Border St. is making progress. Coppersmith Village, with 49 affordable units, will take its place! pic.twitter.com/fmTXuQuV7K

— NOAH (@NOAHCDC) February 21, 2017

Homeowner's Rehab proposes largest Cambridge affordable housing development in over 40 years

Cambridge-based affordable housing developer Homeowner's Rehab is proposing to construct HRI Concord Highlands, a 98-unit residential building which would be Cambridge's largest new-construction 100%-affordable housing development in over 40 years. HRI Concord Highlands would be located on a 1-acre site a short walk to the Alewife MBTA Red Line station. Homeowner's Rehab has filed plans for the project with the City of Cambridge, who is now reviewing the project.

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:

Lookin Good NEC #igersnewengland#architecture#architectural#igersnewengland#archimasters#igersboston_cathaypacific#justgoshoot#expirienceboston#freedomthinkers#sundaymorning#streetdreamsmag#streetphotography#pulseofboston#visualsgang#ic_architecture#vscocam#bldgbos#scenesofnewengland#visitma#scenesofnewenglandma#killeverygram#shoottokill#freedomthinkers#shoottokill#visualsgang#neverstopexploring#IGersboston#igers#igersnewengland#agameoftones#igboston617

A post shared by @apas_architect on Feb 2, 2017 at 2:17pm PST

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:

Facade finish installation underway at Treadmark in Dorchester

The first exterior facade finishes are being installed at Treadmark, a $45 million mixed-use development located across from Ashmont Station in Dorchester. Treadmark's 6-story frame has been nearly fully weatherproofed, with window and fireproofing installation just about complete. Treadmark is slated to open this summer; luxury residences are now on sale, and apartment leasing will commence in the coming months. The following is an aerial photograph of Treadmark:

New view of the progress at Treadmark! pic.twitter.com/2GAeKCOR2L

— ResCo Homes (@ResCoHomes) February 14, 2017

Updated plans revealed for proposed Chestnut Hill mixed-use building

Plans for the proposed mixed-use building at 1180 Boylston Street in Chestnut Hill have been updated to include new resident amenities. Plans now call for new private outdoor terraces along apartments on upper floors. These terraces would be incorporated into the building’s façade. Approximately 1,000 square feet of additional tenant amenity space are also now proposed. Ground-floor retail space has been reduced by 1,490 square feet to 5,560 square feet, down from 7,050 square feet as originally proposed. The proposed building’s height has also been reduced by 4 feet, and on-site parking spaces have been reduced to 69 from 80. The updated plans are now being reviewed by Brookline’s Planning and Zoning Boards.

Lovejoy Wharf condominiums near completion, sales start expected this spring

The 17-story, 162-unit luxury condominium building at Lovejoy Wharf, located at 131 Beverly Street in Bulfinch Triangle, is nearing completion. Facade finishes and windows have been fully installed, and condominium interior fit out is well underway. Condominium sales are expected to start this spring. The following are photographs of 131 Beverly Street:

East Boston Waterfront public housing redevelopment proposed

Lend Lease and WinnCompanies propose to redevelop the 20-unit Clippership Apartments public housing development on the East Boston Waterfront, constructing 50 new mixed-income residences with new public space and retail. All existing buildings would be demolished; the existing 20 public rental housing units would be replaced, and an additional 30 mixed-income condominiums would be constructed. Construction of the redevelopment, located at 125 Sumner Street, would commence in the 4th quarter of 2017 and last approximately 15 months. The developers have filed plans for 125 Sumner Street with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), who is now reviewing the proposed project.

Weatherproofing underway at East Boston's Boston East development

The 6-story Boston East superstructure on the East Boston Waterfront is being weatherproofed and prepared for installation of windows. Boston East’s north wing has topped off, and wood framing of the south wing has reached the third floor. Hardscaping has been installed at Boston East’s ground level for the public pedestrian atrium that will connect Border Street to the East Boston Waterfront. Opening this fall, Boston East will feature 200 apartment residences, a Harborwalk extension and public waterfront amenities including art galleries, historic exhibits and a boat launch. The following are photographs of Boston East:

8-story office building proposed near Broadway Station

CV Properties has revealed new details and renderings of the proposed 266,000 square foot office building which would be located at 105 West First Street in South Boston near Broadway Station. The developer has filed plans with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA). These plans are now under official review. The following are renderings of 105 West First Street:

The Benjamin & VIA near full exterior completion and summer opening

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

Serenity Apartments facade nearly complete, new drone footage released

Serenity Apartments’ facade is nearly fully fit out with exterior finish panels and windows in advance of the 15-story Mission Hill building’s opening this spring. Bricks are fully installed along the building’s base. Interior fit out of Serenity’s common spaces and 195 apartments and common spaces is well underway. New aerial drone footage of Serenity has been released:

Weatherproofing underway at Dorchester’s Treadmark

Weatherproofing has begun at the $45 million Treadmark mixed-use development, opening Summer 2017 in Dorchester across from Ashmont Station. Windows and fireproofing have been installed along a large section of the building’s facade. Framing of interior spaces is also underway. Treadmark has reached its’ final height of six stories. Luxury residences at Treadmark are now on sale. The following is a photograph of Treadmark:

#Treadmark is really beginning to take shape. Windows are in for north side phase! Units still available! #Ashmont #Dot #newconstruction pic.twitter.com/jQKIslMwyM

— ResCo Homes (@ResCoHomes) January 19, 2017

Plans filed for 21-story luxury residential tower in Downtown Crossing

Plans for a 21-story luxury residential tower proposed at 47-55 LaGrange Street in the heart of Downtown Crossing, first preliminarily revealed in Fall 2016, have been officially filed with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA). The tower would feature 176 luxury residences. Owing to the tower's walkable location and the close proximity of public transit, only 20 vehicle parking spaces would be constructed on site. Construction of the tower is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2017. Plans for the tower are now under official review.

250 new Forest Hills residential apartments approved

The Residences at Forest Hills, a 235,000 square foot mixed-use development located across from Forest Hills Station in Jamaica Plain, was approved at last Thursday (January 12th)’s Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board Meeting. The $101 million project will construct three new buildings containing 250 residential apartments and 4,070 square feet of ground-floor retail on an existing commuter surface parking lot. The Residences at Forest Hills will now go before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for review. Approval by the ZBA is required in order for the project to proceed.

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.

American Provisions opening market at Dorchester’s Treadmark in Summer 2017

South Boston specialty food retailer American Provisions has received official approval to construct a new retail location at Dorchester’s new Treadmark mixed-use development across from Ashmont Station. The new 2,500 square foot American Provisions store will open in Summer 2017 and will feature 1,500 retail square feet with a 1,000 square foot kitchen. American Provisions is now seeking a license to sell beer and wine at the new store.

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:

Boston East superstructure nears topping off

Wood framing of Boston East’s six-story superstructure is well underway and has reached as high as the fifth story at the north wing of the East Boston Waterfront development and the second story at the south. Steel erection of Boston East’s ground-floor podium and center pedestrian atrium is complete. Masonry elevator cores have topped off for both building wings. Opening in Fall 2017, Boston East will feature 200 residential apartments and will activate the East Boston Waterfront with a Harborwalk extension, a boat launch and exhibition space. The following are photographs of Boston East:

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.

266,750 square foot R&D office building proposed in South Boston

CV Properties is proposing to construct a new 266,750 square foot research and development (R&D) office building in South Boston, which would be located steps to the Broadway MBTA Red Line Station. The proponent has filed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to develop the building with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) and will soon file a Project Notification Form (PNF) with additional information.

Moxy Hotel tower construction starting in Downtown Crossing, new renderings released

Preparations are now underway at the Moxy Hotel site in Downtown Crossing to start construction of the upcoming 24-story Moxy Hotel tower. Construction is expected to start in earnest in Spring 2017. New renderings of the tower have been released; these renderings are posted above. Expected completion of the Moxy Hotel is in late 2018. Lee Kennedy Company is the project's general contractor.

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:

East Boston’s Coppersmith Village development closes financing, site work starts

Coppersmith Village developer Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, Inc. (NOAH) closed Friday (December 16th) on over $26 million of funding, allowing the 71-unit mixed-income East Boston Waterfront development to proceed. Financing for Coppersmith Village is provided by the State of Massachusetts and East Boston Savings Bank. Site work at the Coppersmith Village site is now underway following completion of the project’s construction agreement earlier this month. Construction will last 18 to 24 months and will replace a vacant, deteriorating industrial site with housing and retail. Demolition of the industrial building will commence later this month or in early January. Tocci Building Companies is the project’s general contractor.

$30 million grant awarded to redevelop Whittier Choice public housing in Roxbury

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant to help fund the approved $44 million Whitter Choice public housing redevelopment in Roxbury. The redevelopment will include both affordable and market-rate housing units, creating new affordable units and introducing new market-rate units. Construction of the first phase of the project could commence in September 2017.

"As we shape Boston's growth, we must make sure our progress benefits everyone, especially long-term residents of the City," said Mayor Walsh at a ceremony held Monday to announce the grant. "I'm extraordinarily proud of the dedication of our partners who have come together to create a brighter future for the residents of Whittier Street and the surrounding neighborhood." "These game-changing investments will breathe new life into our neighborhoods and offer real opportunities for the families who call these communities home," said HUD Secretary Julián Castro at the ceremony. "What we do today will leverage private investment and bear fruit for generations of families looking for an opportunity to thrive in neighborhoods that are connected to the economic and social fabric of their communities." "This is great news for the City of Boston and the Lower Roxbury neighborhood," stated Congressman Mike Capuano at the ceremony. "The Choice Neighborhoods federal grant will help transform the Whittier Street Housing Development by renovating existing affordable housing units and creating additional housing opportunities." The following is a photograph from Monday's ceremony:

This is one of the best announcements I’ve ever made in my political life: Whittier St housing development will receive a $30M @HUDgov grant pic.twitter.com/MvUYhrVUxl

— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) December 12, 2016

First phase of Orient Heights public housing redevelopment breaks ground

A groundbreaking ceremony was held last Wednesday (December 7th) for the first phase of the redevelopment of the aging 15-acre Orient Heights public housing development in East Boston. Phase One, budgeted at approximately $52 million and expected to open in early 2018, will replace four existing buildings containing 90 apartments with 120 affordable housing units across a series of townhouses and one mid-rise building. Upon completion, the four-phased Orient Heights Redevelopment will replace 331 public housing units built in 1951 with 415 housing units, including 373 affordable and 42 market-rate.

“This public housing facility has been the home of many families for decades, and I am proud that with the support of our state and federal partners we are revitalizing current facilities, while creating new living spaces for future residents,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh at the groundbreaking. The development team hopes to build off of the success of past public housing redevelopment in East Boston. “We are looking forward to working with our development partners Trinity Financial to revitalize the community as we successfully did together at the Maverick development in Eastie several years ago,” stated Boston Housing Authority Administrator Bill McGonagle. The following is a photograph from the Orient Heights groundbreaking:

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.

Two Wells Avenue, new Newton office space now leasing, tops off

A topping-off ceremony was held yesterday (December 6th) for Two Wells Avenue, a new state-of-the-art office building now leasing in Newton. Two Wells Avenue is expected to open in 2017 and will feature contemporary interior design with amenities including a "grab and go" lobby cafe. The following is a photograph from the Two Wells Avenue topping-off ceremony:

Topping Off Ceremony for Two Wells @sgaarch #architecture

A photo posted by Kristen O'Gorman (@kogorman475) on Dec 6, 2016 at 10:02am PST

New The Benjamin & VIA details and renderings revealed

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

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

Serenity Apartments nearly fully sealed, new aerial footage released

Windows and exterior finish panels have been installed along a large section of Serenity Apartments’ facade as the building nears its’ Spring 2017 opening. At Serenity’s base, brick finishes have been just about fully installed. The construction team is now plastering Serenity’s apartments and installing interior finishes. HVAC utilities have been installed on Serenity’s roof and throughout the building. Serenity General Contractor Suffolk Construction has released two new aerial videos of Serenity, a new drone flyover and a time-lapse showing Serenity’s progression since the start of construction in Winter 2015:

New Drone Flyover

Time-lapse

Goodwin installs sign at new Seaport headquarters

Law firm Goodwin has installed a new sign at the summit of its’ newly opened headquarters at 100 Northern Avenue in the Seaport District. The sign is a fixture of the Boston skyline prominently visible from Boston Harbor. The newly built 17-story 100 Northern Avenue opened this past summer and features Class A office space with sweeping views of Boston Harbor and the Boston skyline. Goodwin Procter occupies 75% of the building. A Sorelle cafe will soon open on 100 Northern Avenue’s ground floor. The following is a photograph of the new Goodwin sign at 100 Northern Avenue:

Loving the new @goodwinlaw sign, can't wait to see it in lights at night! #lawfirm #seaport #spacematters pic.twitter.com/z5XNXUfJqM

— Andy Hoar (@AWHoar) November 22, 2016

Residential tower planned at Huntington Theater site

The Matteson Companies, a member of the investment group who acquired the Huntington Theater property in the Fenway, has released preliminary renderings of a 350 to 400-unit residential tower planned at the Theater site. Two existing buildings on site would be demolished to construct the tower. The theater building is currently planned to be retained. The following are renderings of the tower:

152-unit luxury residential tower planned in Downtown Crossing

Development partner The Matteson Companies has released preliminary renderings of a 152-unit luxury residential tower planned for the 7,500 square foot parcel at 47-55 Lagrange Street in Downtown Crossing. Retail space would be located on the tower’s first floor. The tower would be constructed on a 7,500 square foot parcel currently used as a surface parking lot.

Transformative transit-oriented development proposed in Readville

The Noannet Group has filed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) proposing to construct Readville Campus, a 556,625 square foot mixed-use development that would transform a primarily industrial section of Hyde Park's Readville neighborhood; the following is a link to the LOI. The development would be transit-oriented and would be built on a 6.16-acre site fronting Sprague Pond located steps to the MBTA commuter rail. Four new buildings would be constructed containing 521 residential apartments and a 5,980 square foot, 150-seat restaurant. Construction of Readville Campus is expected to commence in late 2017.

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:

New Serenity aerial footage released, finish installation underway

Suffolk Construction has released new aerial footage of Serenity, a 195-unit apartment building with 2,100 square feet of retail opening Spring 2017 in Mission Hill. Exterior finish panel installation is well underway, and moisture-resistant cladding is fully installed along the building’s frame. Per an update by Prellwitz Chilinski Architects, interior unit finishing is underway on lower level units. Steel framing is being installed on upper floors to lay out units. The following is the latest aerial footage of Serenity, courtesy Suffolk Construction:

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.

AvalonBay proposes 250 residential units on Washington Street in Brighton

AvalonBay Communities has filed a Project Notification Form (PNF) with the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) proposing to construct 250 residential units, including 220 apartments and 30 condominiums, on Washington Street in Brighton located steps to the MBTA Green Line and Brighton Center; the following is a link to the PNF. AvalonBay anticipates to start construction by the end of 2017; construction would last approximately 24 months. Two large development projects, 101-105 Washington Street and the Saint Gabriel's Monastery Redevelopment, are proposed next to the AvalonBay site. The following are renderings of Avalon Brighton:

One Dalton interior revealed

Developer Carpenter & Company has released an updated One Dalton website revealing the interior of One Dalton's exclusive condominiums. New interior and exterior renderings have been released along with a One Dalton video; these can be found above. Carpenter has also released a 360-degree animation showing views from the top of One Dalton.

CIM closes on Motor Mart Garage acquisition for $162.5 million

CIM Group closed yesterday (October 24th, 2016) on its' acquisition of the Motor Mart Garage in Bay Village for $162.5 million as recorded in the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds. Citibank provided $90,135,000 of financing towards CIM Group's acquisition.

CIM Group is based in Los Angeles and invests in parking garages as well as hotel, industrial and office space. The firm acquired 95 Berkeley in the South End in March 2016 for $43 million. The following is the deed for CIM Group's acquisition of the Motor Mart Garage:

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.

252 apartments proposed across from Forest Hills Station

Criterion Development Partners submitted a Project Notification Form (PNF) to the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) yesterday (October 20th, 2016) with new details and renderings for The Residences at Forest Hills, a proposed 280,000 square foot development that would be located across from the Forest Hills rapid transit station; the following is a link to the PNF. The Residences at Forest Hills would construct three new buildings in one phase containing approximately 252 residential rental apartments and 5,500 square feet of ground-floor retail. Additional information about the proposed Residences at Forest Hills can be found above.

New One Seaport Square video released

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

One Dalton foundation wall complete, elevator core construction underway

Treviicos has completed One Dalton’s slurry wall, which has been fully excavated by The Welch Corporation. One Dalton’s foundation wall is fully built; a slurry wall is in place along Belvidere and Dalton Streets, and secant piles are in place along the Christian Science Center. The foundation cap beam, which holds the top of the foundation wall together, has been installed. Both the slurry wall and secant piles tie into bedrock over 150 feet below the building.

The 61-story elevator core is now being built. Metal formwork is being arranged at the foundation’s base to frame the concrete pour to construct the core. A 7 foot thick, 900 cubic yard wide concrete mat slab is now being poured at the core’s base. The following are photographs of the One Dalton construction site:

One Seaport Square nearly fully glassed in

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

Moxy Hotel groundbreaking anticipated this December, Norwich Partners taking over project

Per an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) submitted to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Moxy Hotel at 240 Tremont Street in Downtown Crossing will break ground in December 2016 with estimated completion in Late 2018; the following is a link to the ENF. Norwich Partners, developer of the Envoy Hotel, will take over the approved project from Abbott Development; the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) will grant Norwich Partners a long-term lease of the 0.13-acre BPDA-owned project site. Abbott Development received approval from the BPDA in July 2015 to construct the 23-story, 346-room Moxy Hotel; the Moxy Hotel is already listed on Norwich Partners’ website. General Contractor Lee Kennedy Company, who also built the Envoy Hotel, will construct the Moxy Hotel. Additional information about the Moxy Hotel can be found above.

Serenity website released with new renderings and drone footage, apartments opening Spring 2017

Developer Longwood Group and Property Manager Greystar have released a new website, TheSerenity.com, for Serenity, a 195-unit residential apartment building with 2,100 square feet of ground-floor retail opening Spring 2017 in Mission Hill. Per the website, Serenity will feature studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom residences. 24 residences overlooking Olmsted Park will feature private elevator access. With the website, new interior renderings of Serenity and a building logo have been released along with drone footage of the under-construction building. Renderings of Serenity and additional information can be found above; the following is the drone footage video:

One Charlestown detailed plans filed with BPDA

Proponents Corcoran Jennison and SunCal have filed a Project Notification Form (PNF) with the Boston Planning & Development Authority (BPDA) containing detailed plans for One Charlestown, the proposed $1 billion, 3.3 million square foot redevelopment of the existing 27.6-acre, 1,100-unit Bunker Hill public housing project in Charlestown; the following is a link to the PNF. One Charlestown would reconfigure the project site, replacing the existing low-rise buildings with new ones ranging from six to 21 stories tall containing a total of 3,200 mixed-income residential units and approximately 100,000 square feet of civic and retail space. All 1,100 public housing units would be preserved, and all current residents would have the right to return. One Charlestown housing units would include 750 affordable rentals, 350 senior affordable rentals, 1,500 market rate rentals and 600 market rate ownership condominiums ranging from studios to four-bedrooms.

Two new public parks would be constructed at One Charlestown along with streetscape improvements. One Charlestown would be built in three phases over an approximately ten year period beginning in 2018. Additional information about and renderings of One Charlestown can be found above.

100 Northern Avenue listed for sale, could fetch $515 million

100 Northern Avenue, a 17-story, 515,000 square foot Seaport District office building open since last summer, has been listed for sale through HFF. 100 Northern Avenue is expected to draw bids of about $515 million, or $1,000 per square foot, according to a Real Estate Alert report. 100 Northern Avenue cost $300 million to develop and is 75% occupied by law firm Goodwin Procter.

40 Malvern Street in Allston opening October 1st, over 50% leased

The Hamilton Company's 40 Malvern Street, a new six-story, 48-unit luxury rental residential apartment building located in Allston's Packard's Corner steps to the MBTA Green Line, will open to new residents October 1st. Already over 50% leased, 40 Malvern Street features a mix of one and two-bedroom units. Rents start at $2,100/month for one-bedrooms and $2,500/month for two-bedrooms. Visit 40malvern.com for apartment leasing information.

The $40 million 40 Malvern Street is part of The Hamilton Company's plan to invest $100 million in Packard's Corner over the next 10 years. The Hamilton Company received approval from the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) this month to construct Packard Crossing, a $45 million development that will construct 114 rental residential units and 3,050 square feet of ground-floor retail across two new buildings in Packard's Corner. “Located steps from Packard Crossing and the [MBTA] Green Line, [40 Malvern Street] is ideally suited for working professionals and graduate students in the area,” said Carl Valeri, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Hamilton Company.

The following is a link to a virtual tour of 40 Malvern Street. The following are photographs of a completed unit at 40 Malvern Street, courtesy The Hamilton Company:

Serenity exterior finish installation underway

Exterior finishes have reached the top level of Serenity's 15-story frame and are installed along a large frame section. Concrete has been poured on nearly all floors, and framing of interior units is underway.

Located in Mission Hill overlooking the Emerald Necklace, Serenity will feature 195 rental residential apartments and a 2,100 square foot retail space fronting South Huntington Avenue. Amenities at Serenity will include a swimming pool, a fitness center and a green roof deck. The following are photographs of Serenity, courtesy Newman Associates:

Treadmark wood framing rising, concrete base poured

Treadmark's concrete foundation is fully framed, and a large concrete section of the building's ground level has been poured. A PERI Skydeck system is being used to frame the concrete pour and support the poured slabs as concrete hardens.

Wood framing of levels two through six has begun above the concrete base, with a large section of level two fully framed and level three framing rising. Located in Dorchester's Ashmont neighborhood across from the Ashmont MBTA station, Treadmark will span a full block along Dorchester Avenue between Fuller Street and Mercier Avenue.

Opening Summer 2017, Treadmark will feature 83 new residential units, including 51 new affordable rental units and 32 ownership condominiums, as well as approximately 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Treadmark's anchor retail tenant will be American Provisions, a South Boston-based specialty food retailer. Visit LiveTreadmark.com for condominium sales information. The following are photographs of Treadmark:

Frame

PERI Skydeck

Foundation

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:

32 Cambridge Street approved, construction could commence Q4 2016

At last night's board meeting, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) approved 32 Cambridge Street for construction. Located in Charlestown’s Sullivan Square steps to the MBTA Orange Line, 32 Cambridge Street will feature 171 new residential apartments and approximately 2,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Initial site preparation work is anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2016, with occupancy anticipated in the second quarter of 2018. Additional information about 32 Cambridge Street can be found above.

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

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

One Dalton deep foundation nearly fully excavated

Albert J. Welch Corporation has nearly fully excavated One Dalton’s deep foundation. A total of 70 vertical feet of soil will be excavated. Three levels of horizontal internal brace frames have been installed along One Dalton’s secant pile wall to support the excavated foundation. Per the official construction website, secant piles at One Dalton tie into bedrock over 160 feet below grade. As excavation draws to an end, structural pile caps and H-piles are visible at the base of the parking structure. Excavation will soon be followed by pouring of concrete mat slabs along the deep foundation, with superstructure steel and concrete construction commencing shortly thereafter. Per the official construction schedule, concrete work at One Dalton is anticipated to commence in October 2016. At street level, One Dalton’s tower crane is erected in anticipation of superstructure construction.

One Dalton will be a 61-story, 740 foot tall tower with a 215-room Four Seasons Hotel at its’ base and 180 luxury condominiums above. Two below-grade basement levels will be built underneath One Dalton; neither will contain parking. Hotel guests and residents at One Dalton will have access to parking in the existing Christian Science Plaza underground garage; a new access ramp will be constructed off of Clearway Street through One Dalton’s basement. The following are photographs of excavation underway at the One Dalton construction site:

The following are photographs of One Dalton's foundation support structure:

The following is a panoramic photograph of the base of One Dalton's foundation:

The following is a photograph of One Dalton's tower crane:

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:

One Charlestown development moving forward, Letter of Intent filed

Proponents Corcoran Jennison Associates and SunCal filed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) last Tuesday (August 16th, 2016) to construct One Charlestown and anticipate filing an Expanded Project Notification Form (EPNF) with additional information and renderings within the next 30 days. The proposed One Charlestown would revamp the existing 27.6-acre, 1,100-unit Bunker Hill public housing project into 3,200 mixed-income residential units with a neighborhood retail component. The following is a link to the LOI for One Charlestown; additional information about the One Charlestown proposal can be found above and at the One Charlestown website. The following are renderings of One Charlestown:

Orient Heights public housing overhaul approved for construction

206 West, 16 new affordable apartments in South Boston, approved for construction

At last night's board meeting, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) approved 206 West for construction. Located at 206 West Broadway steps to the Broadway MBTA Red Line station, 206 West will be a new four-story mixed-use building containing 16 affordable residential apartments and 1,050 square feet of ground-floor retail. 206 West will be constructed on what is currently a vacant lot. More information about 206 West is posted below.

Criterion Development Partners releases renderings of The Residences at Forest Hills

Jamaica Plain News reports that Criterion Development Partners has released renderings and site plans of the proposed Residences at Forest Hills, which would be constructed on an existing two-acre surface parking lot located at 3694 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain steps to the Forest Hills MBTA station. A Letter of Intent (LOI) to construct the project was submitted to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) last month; the following is a link to the LOI. Per the LOI, The Residences at Forest Hills would contain 260 residential apartments ranging from studios to three-bedrooms as well as approximately 5,500 square feet of retail. The following are renderings of The Residences at Forest Hills:

The following is a site plan of The Residences at Forest Hills:

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.

VIA at One Seaport Square tops off

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

VIA's final steel beam

VIA's topped off frame

View of VIA's topped off frame along Seaport Boulevard

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

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

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

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

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

View of Downtown Boston

View of Downtown Boston

View of Boston Harbor

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

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

View of The Benjamin from Congress Street Bridge

View of VIA from top of The Benjamin

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

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

The Benjamin's glass facade from Northern Avenue

The Benjamin's glass facade from Northern Avenue

The Benjamin's glass facade from Seaport Boulevard

The Benjamin's glass facade from Sleeper Street

The Benjamin's glass facade from Sleeper Street

The Benjamin's glass facade from Sleeper Street

The following are photographs of Courthouse Square:

View of Courthouse Square towards Fort Point

View of Courthouse Square towards Boston Harbor

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

View along Seaport Boulevard

View from Seaport Boulevard

View along Northern Avenue

View along Northern Avenue

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.

Two Wells Avenue modernization and expansion underway

Work is underway on the modernization and expansion of Two Wells Avenue, an existing single-story, 69,000 square foot office building constructed over 40 years ago located in Newton's Wells Avenue Office Park convenient to Route 128. The project will construct two new floors and expand the building's size to 135,000 square feet with expected completion in December 2016. The modernized Two Wells Avenue will feature contemporary interior design with abundant natural light owing to the building's reflective glass exterior. New utilities, including energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, and an underground storm water infiltration system will also be constructed.

The New England Real Estate Journal reports that partial demolition of the existing building, commenced in June, is just about complete. Preparations have begun for foundation work, which will commence in mid-August. Construction of the expansion's structural steel frame is expected to start in September. The following are links to the Architectural Plans and Civil Drawings for Two Wells Avenue. The following is a rendering of the modernized and expanded Two Wells Avenue:

Letter of Intent filed for mixed-use Forest Hills project

Criterion Development Partners (CDP) has filed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) to construct a mixed-use development project on the existing two-acre parking lot at the corner of Washington Street and Arborway in Jamaica Plain located across from the Forest Hills rapid transit station. The following is a link to the Letter of Intent. As previously reported, the project would include approximately 260 residential apartments. Per the LOI, units would range from studios to three-bedrooms and would also include "three-bedroom townhouse" units. The project would include an affordable housing component "in excess of that required" by the City of Boston's Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP).

Per the LOI, approximately 5,500 square feet of retail would be located on site, down from previously reported 6,000 square feet. The project would be constructed across three new wood-frame buildings above a single-level parking garage. A total of approximately 136 parking spaces would be constructed on site, including approximately 10 surface parking spaces. The project would provide Zipcar spaces and a community bike-share facility.

Ribbon cut on One Canal in Bulfinch Triangle

We had the honor and privilege of attending the official One Canal ribbon cutting ceremony this past Wednesday, July 13th. We would like to extend huge congratulations and thanks to Aimco and Trinity Financial on this important milestone. The 12-story, 435,000 square foot One Canal will further enliven Bulfinch Triangle with 310 new luxurious residential rental apartments, including 20 affordable units, as well as approximately 21,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space located steps to Downtown Boston, the North End and multiple transportation options. Upcoming retail options at One Canal include Boston’s first City Winery, a specialty culinary and cultural destination opening in early 2017. Apartments at One Canal are now leasing, visit LiveOneCanal.com for more information. The following is a link to the official press release announcing the ribbon cutting, and the following are photographs of the ribbon cutting:

Ribbon about to be cut

Ribbon is cut

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Trinity Financial Vice President & One Canal Project Manager Abby Goldenfarb following ribbon cutting

The following are photographs of the completed One Canal:

View of One Canal from Rose Kennedy Greenway

One Canal rooftop pool

One Canal roof deck

Speakers at the One Canal ribbon cutting ceremony included Aimco Chief Investment Officer John Bezzant, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Betty Bigwood of the Middlesex Canal Association, Trinity Financial Vice President & One Canal Project Manager Abby Goldenfarb and Aimco Vice President of Operations Jason Kessler. The following are photographs of the speakers:

Aimco Chief Investment Officer John Bezzant

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh

Betty Bigwood of the Middlesex Canal Association

Trinity Financial Vice President & One Canal Project Manager Abby Goldenfarb

Aimco Vice President of Operations Jason Kessler

Following speeches and the ceremonial ribbon cutting, guests were given tours of One Canal’s units and amenities. One Canal includes an expansive roof deck featuring a heated pool, an outdoor cinema and a fire pit in addition to 360-degree Boston skyline views. One Canal also includes a 2,000 square foot fitness center and a Canal Club resident lounge. The following are photographs of units and amenities at One Canal:

Open floor plan unit

Unit kitchen

Unit bedroom

Fitness center

Roof deck

Third floor terrace

Serenity apartment tower in Mission Hill tops off

We had the honor and privilege of attending the official Serenity topping off ceremony this past Monday, July 11th. We would like to extend huge congratulations and thanks to Longwood Group on this important milestone. Serenity will further enliven Mission Hill with 195 new residential rental apartments and approximately 2,100 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Amenities at Serenity will include a swimming pool, a fitness center and a green roof deck. Serenity will be LEED Silver certified and is anticipated to open in Spring 2017. Greystar will be Serenity's property manager.

The following is a link to an official press release announcing Serenity's topping off. The following are renderings of Serenity. Serenity's architect is Prellwitz Chilinski Associates, and the building's interior designer is RD Jones + Associates.

View of Serenity from Emerald Necklace (Courtesy Prellwitz Chilinski Associates/Longwood Group)

Serenity common space (Courtesy RD Jones + Associates/Longwood Group)

Serenity common space (Courtesy RD Jones + Associates/Longwood Group)

Prior to speeches, ceremony attendees were given the opportunity to sign the final steel beam of Serenity’s frame.

Construction team members sign final steel beam

Signed final beam

Members of the Nader family of Longwood Group

Ceremony prior to speeches

Speakers at the Serenity topping-off ceremony included Serenity Project Manager Ralph Cole, Mission Hill Main Streets Executive Director Richard Rouse, Longwood Group Principal Tony Nader, Suffolk Construction Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jim Grossman and Boston Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Brian Golden.

Serenity Project Manager Ralph Cole

Mission Hill Main Streets Executive Director Richard Rouse

Longwood Group Principal Tony Nader

Suffolk Construction Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jim Grossman

Boston Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Brian Golden

Speeches stage

Serenity branding

Speeches were followed by the raising and installation of the final steel beam of Serenity’s frame.

Construction workers prepare to raise the final steel beam

Final steel beam prior to raising

Raising of final steel beam

Raising of final steel beam

Installation of final steel beam

Installation of final steel beam

Installed final steel beam

Frame prior to final steel beam installation

A drone monitors final steel beam raising

Work will now commence upon installation of Serenity’s exterior and interior finishes. A construction elevator is being installed to lift workers, equipment and materials throughout Serenity’s frame. Framing for installation of insulation and moisture-resistant cladding is being installed along the frame's exterior.

View of Serenity along Huntington Avenue

Construction elevator installation underway

A worker installs framing along Serenity's frame's exterior

Construction materials staged inside Serenity's frame

View of Serenity along Huntington Avenue

View of Serenity along Huntington Avenue

More information about Serenity is posted below.

Ashmont’s Treadmark by Trinity Financial officially breaks ground

We had the honor and privilege of attending the official Treadmark groundbreaking ceremony this past Monday, July 11th. We would like to extend huge congratulations and thanks to Trinity Financial on this important milestone. Treadmark will further enliven the Ashmont neighborhood of Dorchester with 83 new residential units, including 51 new affordable rental units and 32 ownership condominiums, as well as approximately 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Treadmark's anchor retail tenant will be American Provisions, a South Boston-based specialty food retailer.

The following is a link to the official press release announcing Treadmark's groundbreaking. The following are the latest renderings of Treadmark, formerly known as Ashmont Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) 2. Treadmark's architect is The Architectural Team, and the building's interior designer is Taniya Nayak Design. Exterior rendering is by Neoscape.

Exterior (Courtesy The Architectural Team/Neoscape)

Lobby (Courtesy Taniya Nayak Design)

Living room (Courtesy Taniya Nayak Design)

Living room (Courtesy Taniya Nayak Design)

Bedroom (Courtesy Taniya Nayak Design)

Speakers at the Treadmark groundbreaking ceremony included Trinity Financial Senior Project Manager Mathieu Zahler, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Massachusetts Senator Linda Dorcera Forry, RBC Capital Markets Managing Director Craig Wagner, Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation President and CEO Joe Flatley, Boston Private Senior Vice President Peter Hollands and Greater Ashmont Main Street Board President Philippe Saad.

Opening remarks by Trinity Financial Senior Project Manager Mathieu Zahler

Trinity Financial Senior Project Manager Mathieu Zahler

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh

Massachusetts Senator Linda Dorcera Forry

RBC Capital Markets Managing Director Craig Wagner

Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation President and CEO Joe Flatley

Boston Private Senior Vice President Peter Hollands

Greater Ashmont Main Street Board President Philippe Saad

Speeches stage

Speeches were followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking on the construction site and a celebratory reception at Tavolo Risorante in Trinity Financial’s neighboring Carruth transit-oriented building.

Shovels ready to fly

Shovels fly

Shovels prior to groundbreaking

Treadmark branding

Shovels after groundbreaking

The sales center for Treadmark’s 32 market-rate condominiums is now open in the Carruth building, and condominium pre-sales have begun. Visit LiveTreadmark.com for more information. A model unit has been installed at the sales center. After the ceremonial groundbreaking, Treadmark interior designer Taniya Nayak gave a tour of the model unit and finishes.

Taniya Nayak tours Treadmark model unit

Treadmark model unit

Treadmark model unit

Treadmark branding

Construction of Treadmark’s foundation is well underway, with concrete poured along a large vertical section fronting Fuller Street. At the Mercier Avenue end, a FlexiROC T40 tophammer drill rig is being used to assist with foundation excavation by breaking rock. A sheet pile wall is built along the building’s entire perimeter, and wooden shoring is installed to reinforce Treadmark’s foundation during construction. Steel and wood forms are being set up along the foundation’s base for concrete pouring.

Site view from Fuller Street

Completed concrete foundation section

Preparing a foundation section for concrete pouring

Site view from Fuller Street

FlexiROC T40 tophammer drill rig breaking rock

Site view from Mercier Avenue

Site view from Mercier Avenue

More information about Treadmark is posted below.

Whittier Choice redevelopment team seeks federal funding for 387-unit project

The Bay State Banner reports that the Whittier Choice redevelopment team has applied for a $30 million Department of Housing and Urban Development federal funding grant that, if awarded, will help the team realize full buildout of the approved $44 million Whittier Choice public housing redevelopment project. The team was one of 34 applicants for the grant last year and made it to the final contestant round but did not secure a grant. Funding has been secured for Phase One of the project, which could start construction in September 2017.

Approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority for construction in October 2015, the project will replace the existing Whittier Choice public housing development in Roxbury with three new buildings. Approximately 387 mixed-use residential units and 7,680 square feet of retail will be constructed across three phases. The following is a link to the Expanded Project Notification Form (EPNF) for the Whittier Choice redevelopment project. The following is a landscape plan showing the project's full buildout:

More information about the Whittier Choice redevelopment project is posted below.

Foundation soil excavation underway at One Dalton

Foundation brace frames are installed, and soil excavation is underway at One Dalton, a 61-story, 699-foot tall tower under construction in the Back Bay that will be New England’s tallest residential structure. One Dalton will feature a Four Seasons Hotel with 211 rooms in addition to 188 upper-floor residential condominiums and ground-floor retail. The following is a rendering of One Dalton:

As soil is excavated, the completed concrete form of One Dalton’s deep foundation is being unveiled. A total of 70 vertical feet of soil will be excavated at One Dalton. Once all soil is excavated and remaining concrete is poured along the foundation and underground parking structure, One Dalton will be ready to rise.

Visit 1DaltonConstruction.com for updates from the One Dalton construction team and OneDalton.com for condominium pre-sales information. The following are photographs of excavation underway at One Dalton, courtesy The Welch Corporation:

Excavation underway below foundation brace frames

Excavation underway below foundation brace frames

Aerial view of excavation underway

Aerial view of excavation underway below foundation brace frames

View along Dalton Street

Foundation brace frames

Excavator

Excavator being moved onto the construction site

Excavator

Excavation underway

Excavation underway

Excavation underway

More information about One Dalton is posted below.

Criterion Development Partners plans mixed-use Forest Hills project for existing parking lot

Jamaica Plain Gazette reports that Criterion Development Partners plans to construct a new mixed-use development project on the LAZ surface parking lot located across from Forest Hills Station at the corner of Washington Street and Arborway in Jamaica Plain. An aerial view of the parking lot is posted above. The development team plans to file a Project Notification Form (PNF) with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) in 45 to 60 days.

The proposed project would include approximately 260 residential units and 6,000 square feet of retail. A single-level underground parking garage would be built on site as well as some surface parking spaces. MetroMark Apartments, a mixed-use development project including approximately 283 rental residential units and 5,000 square feet of retail space, is under construction across Arborway from the proposed project site.

New parking-free mixed-use building proposed in South Boston

Developers South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation and Caritas Communities have submitted a Small Project Review Application (SPRA) to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) proposing to construct 206 West, a new mixed-use building located at 206 West Broadway in South Boston. The proposed building would contain 16 rental residential units, including 9 studios and 7 one-bedrooms, and a ground-floor retail space intended for a coffee shop or similar use.  All residential units would be designated affordable, as follows:

• At or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI):  6 units
  
• At or below 60% AMI: 8 units
  
• At or below 30% AMI: 2 units
  
• (Total: 16 units)
  

No on-site parking spaces would be constructed. Residents would be required to take a "car-free pledge," and discounted public transit passes would be offered. Bicycle racks would be included on site for each unit.

The following is a link to the Small Project Review Application for 206 West. A rendering of 206 West is posted above.

CIM Group, recent buyer of 95 Berkeley, reportedly buying Motor Mart Garage for over $160 million

The Real Reporter reports that Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm CIM Group is buying the 1,037-parking-space Motor Mart Garage in Bay Village for upwards of $160 million. CIM Group has an extensive parking garage portfolio stretching across the United States. CIM Group also invests in hotel, industrial and office space and acquired 95 Berkeley in the South End in March 2016 for $43 million.

The Art Deco-designed Motor Mart Garage, completed in 1927 and restored in 1999, is located at 201 Stuart Street across from the Revere Hotel. The garage's ground floor is lined with existing retail tenants including Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Legal Sea Foods and Maggiano’s Little Italy. The garage, listed for sale in April 2016, reportedly attracted upwards of 20 bidders including CIM Group.

More information about Motor Mart Garage is posted below.

Steel frame rising at Serenity

Serenity’s concrete foundation is complete, and construction of the building’s steel frame is well underway. The construction team is using a tower crane to raise and install the frame’s structural elements. The section of Serenity bordering Jamaicaway has risen to the fifth floor, which will be the top floor for that section. Along South Huntington Avenue, frame construction will continue until the frame tops off at 15 stories tall. Serenity will be a 195-unit residential apartment tower with 2,100 square feet of retail.

View from South Huntington Avenue

View from Jamaicaway

Tower crane

Foundation and steel I-beam frame

View from Jamaicaway

View from South Huntington Avenue

View from South Huntington Avenue

Construction materials

J. Derenzo Companies continues to perform excavation and utility work at Serenity’s base.

J. Derenzo Companies backhoe alongside steel frame

J. Derenzo Companies excavation rig under the building

J. Derenzo Companies backhoe

View from Jamaicaway

Substructure and J. Derenzo Companies excavation rig

More information about Serenity 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.

AvalonBay Communities plans new apartment project in Brighton

Universal Hub reports that David Gillespie of AvalonBay Communities presented plans to the Brighton Allston Improvement Association this month for a new 287-unit residential apartment project in Brighton. The proposed project would be located along Washington Street next to the proposed Saint Gabriel's Monastery Redevelopment project.

Avalon Bay proposes to construct two new six-story buildings joined by a two-story center structure. 230 resident parking spaces would be located in a new garage underneath the buildings.

Investors buying Taj Boston hotel building

The Boston Globe reports that New England Development and Eastern Real Estate are leading a group of investors that will buy the Taj Boston hotel building at 15 Arlington Street in Downtown Boston. A final sale price has not been disclosed. Indian Hotels Company, which currently owns the building, previously stated that it would not sell the building for less than $125 million.

Overhaul proposed for Orient Heights public housing

A project notification form has been filed with the Boston Redevelopment Authority for the proposed overhaul of the Orient Heights public housing development in East Boston. The proposed project would demolish all buildings on site and construct 51 new buildings ranging from two to five stories. Buildings would contain 373 public housing units and 42 market rate housing units. An 8,000 square foot community center and management office would also be built on site.

The project would be developed by Trinity Financial in collaboration with the East Boston Community Development Corporation and the Boston Housing Authority. The project would be constructed in four phases. The development team expects to commence construction of the first phase this fall. Expected completion of the final phase is in 2024.

The following is a link to the full Project Notification Form. More information about the proposed project is posted below.

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.

Boston East officially breaks ground

We had the honor and privilege of attending the official Boston East groundbreaking ceremony this past Thursday, May 19th. We would like to extend huge congratulations and thanks to Trinity Financial and East Boston Community Development Corporation on this important milestone. Boston East will enliven the East Boston Waterfront with public amenities including a Harborwalk, art galleries, historic interpretive exhibits and a boat launch in addition to 200 new residential units. Above and below are the latest renderings of Boston East.

View of Boston East from Boston Harbor

View of Boston Harbor at sunset from Boston East

Speakers at the Boston East groundbreaking ceremony included Trinity Financial Vice President Abby Goldenfarb, Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, State Representative Adrian Madaro, City Councillor Sal LaMattina and East Boston Community Development Corporation Executive Director Al Caldarelli.

Trinity Financial Vice President Abby Goldenfarb

Governor Charlie Baker

Mayor Martin J. Walsh

State Representative Adrian Madaro

City Councillor Sal LaMattina

East Boston Community Development Corporation Executive Director Al Caldarelli

Speeches were followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking along the East Boston Waterfront.

Shovels fly at Boston East

View of shovels overlooking Boston Harbor

View from the future Harborwalk at Boston East

Initial site work at Boston East has been underway since February. The six-story building’s sheet pile wall is complete. The sheet pile wall will reinforce the building’s foundation and one-story underground parking structure.

Completed sheet pile wall at Boston East's south side

Completed sheet pile wall at Boston East's north side

The Boston East building’s foundation is nearly fully dug, and final excavations are taking place.

Final excavations underway at Boston East's north side

The construction team is driving concrete piles at the foundation’s base to support the building.

The construction team directs a pile driver onto the construction site

The construction team moves a concrete pile (gray rod at right) to the pile driver (at left)

Base of Boston East's foundation following concrete pile driving. Note bumps in the ground, under which are driven piles.

Concrete will soon be poured along the base and sides of the foundation, enabling construction of the building’s superstructure.

Concrete will be poured along the base and sides of the foundation upon completion of excavation

Boston East is expected to open in fall 2017. Pre-leasing of residences at Boston East has begun, visit bostoneast.com for more information. Below is a video exhibiting Boston East.

Boston East video

More information about Boston East is posted below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

View of proposed tower from Emerald Necklace

View of proposed tower frontage along Ipswich Street

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):

Huntington Avenue theater sale closes for $25 million

The sale of the Huntington Avenue theater property, owned by Boston University for 62 years, to QMG Huntington LLC closed today for $25 million as recorded in the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds. QMG Huntington LLC is a limited liability company with an address of 133 Pearl Street, home of developer GFI Partners. It was previously reported by BU Today that developer John Matteson, whose firm The Matteson Companies is a development partner of GFI Partners, was involved with the investment group acquiring the theater property. QMG Huntington LLC's registered manager is local real estate investor Fan Du of Qianlong Property Development.

The following is the deed for today's sale of the Huntington Avenue theater property to QMG Huntington LLC:

Chinatown could get a new 250-room hotel

Developers Marty McInnis and Reid Joseph of ESXMA 72GL Owner, LLC propose to demolish an existing eight-story building at 73-79 Essex Street in Chinatown and construct a new 17-story hotel with approximately 250 guest rooms. The developers hope to start construction of the proposed hotel, designed by Group One Partners, in the third quarter of 2017; construction would take approximately 24 months.

A project notification form for the proposed hotel at 73-79 Essex Street was filed with the Boston Redevelopment Authority on April 21st, 2016. More information about the proposed hotel is posted below.

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

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

Description of planned tower in Winthrop Square proposal

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

Map of four parcels owned by Trans National Properties

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

Sheet pile wall foundation under construction at Boston East on East Boston Waterfront

Construction of Boston East's sheet pile wall is moving forward swiftly. The sheet pile wall will reinforce Boston East's foundation and underground parking structure. A 120-car underground garage will be built at Boston East.

Once the sheet pile wall is complete, the construction team will excavate the project's foundation and underground parking structure. Excavation equipment has been parked at the Boston East site including excavators and a dump truck. The following are photographs of the equipment:

A blue Mantis 15010 crane is being used to drive the wall's sheet piles into the ground. The following are photographs of the crane driving piles at Boston East:

Many sheet piles have already been driven along the Boston East building's future perimeter. The following are photographs of the sheet piles:

As foundation construction progresses at Boston East, timber and earth fill used to originally construct today's East Boston Waterfront is being uncovered. The East Boston Waterfront, like much of Boston, was constructed using land filling techniques to expand the original land area. The following is a photograph of unearthed fill:

Demolition by J. Derenzo Companies in full swing at Ashmont TOD2

J. Derenzo Companies' JDC Demolition division is hard at work demolishing the former Ashmont Tire building to make way for the Ashmont TOD2 mixed-use development.

Demolition underway

Demolition underway

Demolition underway

Demolition underway

JDC Demolition has nearly fully demolished the Ashmont Tire building:

Ashmont Tire

Ashmont Tire

Ashmont Tire

On our visit, we got to watch Mahoney Oil refuel JDC Demolition's demolition excavator:

Refueling

LM Heavy Civil Construction has also begun digging up existing utilities on site. Cranshaw Construction is the project's general contractor.

The Ashmont TOD2 team secured financing for the project earlier this year, as reported by The Dorchester Reporter. The team hopes to open the building to residents in 2017.

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.

Related Beal sells Lovejoy Wharf building for $150M

Related Beal's sale of the Hoffman Building, located on Lovejoy Wharf, to Union Investment of Germany closed Thursday. Recorded sale price is $150,000,001. Related Beal acquired the Hoffman Building, located at 160 North Washington Street, for $11,250,000 in 2012. The agreement for the sale was first reported in November 2015 by Banker and Tradesman.

The Hoffman Building houses the headquarters of shoe manufacturer Converse and contains a total of 214,000 square feet of office space. Related Beal remains the owner and developer of 131 Beverly Street, an under-construction condominium tower located on Lovejoy Wharf adjacent to the Hoffman Building. 131 Beverly Street will contain 162 residential units across 17 stories. Additional information about the Lovejoy Wharf project is posted below.

The following is the deed for Thursday's sale of The Hoffman Building to Union Investment:

The Benjamin at One Seaport Square tops off

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

Deep foundation installation nearly complete at One Dalton

Installation of One Dalton's deep foundation is nearly complete. An excavator is parked on site to begin soil excavation of the building's foundation and underground parking structure.

View from Dalton Street

Excavator at One Dalton

Excavator and deep foundation installation machinery

Excavator and deep foundation installation machinery

Deep foundation installation machinery

The tower crane is down at 30 Dalton as the start of leasing nears. The building's facade is nearly complete; work continues on interior spaces. Leasing at 30 Dalton, coordinated by Bozzuto, will commence in summer 2016.

30 Dalton promises to be a great place to live. The building will feature distinctive views of the Boston skyline and is located convenient to the Back Bay's many dining and entertainment options. 30 Dalton is also located a short walk to office space at 888 Boylston Street and other office towers. 30 Dalton is perfectly positioned for a walkable urban lifestyle!

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.

BU Today reports the Huntington Avenue theater property currently owned by Boston University is under agreement for $25 million to an investment group working with Boston-area developer John Matteson. Matteson is currently a partner at Harbinger Development, a Wellesley-based real estate investment firm currently developing the Haymarket Hotel and Parcel A Hotel in Boston. Matteson is also the founder and CEO of real estate investment firm The Matteson Companies.

Following closing of the sale, the Huntington Theater Company will receive rent-free use of the Huntington Avenue property, on which it has operated for 34 years, through June 2017. BU Today reports that Matteson is speaking with the theater company regarding the possibility of continued use of the Huntington Avenue property past June 2017. The sale includes the 890-seat theater building at 264 Huntington Avenue in addition to two adjoining buildings at 252 and 258 Huntington Avenue. The three buildings have been owned by Boston University for 62 years.

Parcel U construction start expected in five months

A deed was recorded today in the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds transferring the Parcel U approved development site from JP Parcel U Phase 1, LLC to Parcel U Phase A LLC for $1. Both limited liability companies are registered to Urbanica, who is the developer, design manager and contractor of the Parcel U project.

A representative of Urbanica was available for comment. Today's deed was in order to bring a partnership together for investment and financing; Urbanica is raising capital for the Parcel U project. The project is expected to start construction in five months; shovels should be in the ground by early fall 2016. The project will be built in three phases. Today's deed is posted below:

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

Excavation and foundation work underway at Serenity

J. Derenzo Companies is at work performing excavation and foundation work to prepare the Serenity site for tower construction. Much of the tower's foundation has already been excavated; S&F Concrete is pouring concrete along the excavated foundation. Suffolk Construction is managing Serenity's construction. Serenity will feature 195 apartments and a 2,100 square foot retail space in the heart of Mission Hill along the Emerald Necklace park.

View of Serenity construction site

View of foundation construction and concrete pouring underway

View of excavation underway

J. Derenzo Companies excavator

Concrete poured along foundation

J. Derenzo Companies bobcat vehicle

J. Derenzo Companies vehicles

Freshly poured concrete foundation

Excavation underway

View of construction site

Foundation work underway

Foundation work underway

View along Huntington Avenue

Berkeley Investments has submitted a Project Notification Form to the Boston Redevelopment Authority for 32 Cambridge Street, a proposed mixed-use project in Sullivan Square in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood. Berkeley Investments is proposing to build 171 new apartments and 2,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Project site would be located steps to Sullivan Square Station on the MBTA Orange Line.

Berkeley Investments is also the developer of 625 McGrath and Millbrook Lofts, located in Somerville near proposed 32 Cambridge Street. 625 McGrath is complete and occupied; Millbrook Lofts is nearly complete and now leasing. This past Wednesday, February 17th, Berkeley Investments sold 625 McGrath to Jones Street Investment Partners for $14,200,000.

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.

Construction commences at Boston East

   

   

47-55 Lagrange Street

Orient Heights Redevelopment Project

Exchange South End

Twenty-Two Liberty

NEMA Boston

150 Massachusetts Avenue Improvement Project