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
