An artist rendering of the New Balance World HQ to break ground later this month
It has astonishingly been over a year since we reported on the plans for a new tower to be built at the former Filenes site on lower Washington near Downtown Crossing at Hayward Place. Throughout the past year, a great deal of work has gone into the massive undertaking that will see a $615 Million building known as Millennium Tower grace this site which currently is nothing but a large hole in the ground. In an area like Downtown Crossing that is known as a wonderful shopping destination, this vacancy over recent times at this location has only caused an embarrassment for everyone who works and lives in the area. This, thankfully, is all soon to undergo a much needed face-lift.
This initiative finally breaking ground, coupled with the news of New Balance constructing a new World Headquarters on a 14-acre site along the Massachusetts Turnpike, is quite the significant news for Boston. With Mayor Thomas M. Menino having less than four months left in his tenure in office, these final projects only further go to highlight what has been a career dedicated to expanding and improving Boston through the support of first-class residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, and other spaces. Mr. Menino was reached for comment today regarding the news of these two motions for the city and stated that, I am excited to break ground and see construction happen on these projects that have been in the planning stages for several years, He said following a wreath laying ceremony in the Boston Public Garden with families of 9/11 victims. This is the culmination of a lot of good work by people. Im proud of my administration moving these projects along at a time when theres transition in the city of Boston. It shows you the quality of the individuals we have in this administration who want to get the job done.
Looking specifically to the projects, the aforementioned $615 Million Millennium Tower along with the adjacent Burnham Building will consist of 600 condominiums and apartments, 231,000 square feet of retail space, and 218,000 square feet of office space. Moreover, the 14-acre New Balance Headquarters will see an incredible 1.45 million square foot campus erected. Within this campus, some notable features include a 250,000 square foot office headquarters for the New Balance Athletic Shoe located at 180 Guest Street, a 345,000 square foot sports complex, 680,000 square feet of office space within three buildings, a National Hockey League (NHL) regulation arena, 140,000 square feet for a hotel encompassing 175 rooms, 65,000 square feet of retail space, and the remaining 1.4 acres to be agriculturally manicured and left as open space.
The ceremonial gold shovel will be in hand with Mayor Thomas M. Menino for these two groundbreakings highlighting over $1.1 Billion of private investment into Boston. Tuesday, September 17th is the date set for the Millennium Tower ceremony in Downtown Crossing, while Monday, September 23rd will be the day scheduled for the New Balance groundbreaking at the New Brighton Landing along the Massachusetts Turnpike. The rampant spring home buying season trickled over to the summer when many doubted such successes could continue. Kicking off the fall season with word that yet even more optimistic triumphs are occurring is a wonderful realization as the real estate industry and greater economy as a whole continue to grow here on our local level.
More Information: Boston Business Journal
