There is a great deal of dramatic renovations and new
construction happening within the Boston area. From Cambridge, to the
Wharf District, the
Innovation District,
other areas of the Boston Waterfront and more, there have been
countless opportunities for us to blog about just how much the
construction and real estate industries in Boston are beginning to
accelerate.
The former Boston Herald property between Harrison and Albany,
now termed the Ink Block, will soon be developed by National
Development to include 85,000 square feet that will house 475
apartments. Another developer, Nordblom Co. is also hoping to build
another structure for apartments and retail space across the street
from the Herald Site at 345 Harrison Avenue. Nordblom already can
be proud of their redevelopment of 1000 Washington Street which is
an office space that has done incredibly well in terms of the lack
of vacancy of office units due to their incredible design and
convenient location both driving up their demand.
275 Albany Street is another location where developers Normandy
Real Estate Partners have decided to build a hotel along with a
16-story apartment tower. Originally touted to have two hotels, the
lack of support for such an idea led Normandy to the conclusion
that they will build an apartment building in its place along with
the single hotel, both of which will have restaurants and stores on
the ground levels. Finally, a fourth property owned by Druker Cos.
is located at the corner of Washington and East Berkeley Streets
and is also desired to eventually have apartments and retail
shops.
So why all of this sudden attraction to the area? It has been
some fifty years or so since such activity has hit this part of
South End. One major reason is that the City of Boston recently
approved new zoning plans for this location which will now allow
for increased park and recreational spaces, taller buildings, a
greater mixture of developments, and finally an alteration to the
roads and sidewalks so that blocks are decreased in size. Known as
the Harrison Albany Corridor, this newly area of the South End is
going to be one to look forward to with great anticipation. In time
if all of these and perhaps more projects come to fruition, then
their contribution to the South End will make it an even more
vibrant and attractive neighborhood of Boston than we all already
know it is today.
More Information: Boston.com