Fort Point Infill and Small Developments

dorchester ave/parking lot at the post office at south station
 
If the building in front of you (corner of Summer and Melcher) is 12 o'clock, Fort Point Pier is at 2 o'clock, opposite USPS on the other side of the Channel.
 
whighlander said:
relative to the above pix -- where are you when you took your pix
Click to expand...

You need to get out and about in the city more often. Leave South Station and walk between 245 Summer and the USPS, and this is your view. On nice days like this I enjoy my walk to work for the above reason. (Of course on nice days like this I prefer to ride the bike in and park for free).
 
Agree with Wighlander. I love the idea of the channel filled with recreational kayaks and row boats. This is exactly what we need to do.
 
That and some of those floating bars I believe we heard about. Ok not really floating, but on the water - literally.
 
New housing units coming to Congress Street

The Boston Redevelopment Authority unanimously approved a proposal to construct new housing units on Congress Street in South Boston.

The mixed-use development at 381 Congress St. will turn the existing five-story warehouse into 44 housing units with ground-floor retail. Berkeley Investment Inc. is heading up the project.

The 43,500 square-foot project is estimated to cost $17.5 million and create 23 construction jobs, according to the developer's estimates.

It will include 28 units that are smaller and more affordable than market size, along with 16 extended-stay units, which are often rented for weeks to months at a time.

The retail space on the ground floor will be approximately 6,000 square feet and will include a 1,200-square-foot patio.

The building will also include space for Zip Cars, bicycle storage, and roof top gardens.
Click to expand...

Source: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/south_boston/2011/10/new_housing_units_coming_to_co.html
 
Setting aside for a moment the concern about accounting tricks, this seems like a great project. I especially like that they are purposefully making smaller units in order to be affordable. You look at New York, or older sections of Boston, units are affordable by virtue of small size. There is no reason we can't do new construction that acknowledges we are in a tightly packed city. A well designed small footprint floor plan can be a great space in the right neighborhood.
 
Agreed. And as best I can tell from comments at the public meeting, yours is pretty much a shared view within the neighborhood.

Might as well add that they've done a hell of a job integrating retail plus outdoor patio dining, even on Boston Wharf Rd.

Plus the external rehab proposed is commendable.

We need more of these in former BWCo. buildings. Many, many more.
 
Unfortunately the damn ZBA, under the direction of the mayor and the BRA (I assume) decided to make it its business to mandate minimum sizes for units. I had a project before the ZBA a few years back and come hell or high water we were not allowed to go below 750 sf for a one bedroom. I was told that we were being "piggy" because we thought smaller units were more marketable. Another example of the unintended consequences of regulators with good intentions but an understanding of only a handful of the pertinent facts.
 
316-322 Summer Street, now renamed as one building (320 Summer Street) is moving forward again, having been vacant for a few years.

New tenant for entire project: LogMeIn

Office building, possible 1st floor retail.

New stairway leading down from Summer Street to A Street below, opposite existing stairs.
 
I love bringing people down those stairs for the first time and under Summer Street. People get nervous.... The blue lights at Christmas time were nice, I'd like to see something like that year round. Kepp the grit, but with a little color.

Another one, and Summer street level retail sounds fantasmic. I still would love for someone to get that diner up and running again....
 
2006: Plans for project published as "Master Plan" in Boston media in 2006. Buildings vacated. Lots of excitement on ArchBoston.

2008: Buildings remain vacant. Project filed, permitted and stamped Final Approval by BRA and Landmarks Commission in 2008. Press releases and renderings published by BRA to Boston media. Lots of excitement on ArchBoston.

2010: Buildings remain vacant. Project change filed, permitted and stamped Final Approval by BRA Board and Landmarks Commission in 2011. Press releases and renderings published by BRA to Boston media. Lots of excitement on ArchBoston.

2012: Buildings remain vacant. Project change filed, permitted and (yesterday) stamped Final Approval by BRA Board and Landmarks Commission in 2012. Press releases and renderings published by BRA to Boston media. Lots of excitement on ArchBoston, likely.

It's a fine project -- three beautiful (neglected) buildings, no new construction proposed except a small roofdeck and small greenhouse. Maybe under new ownership we can get the party started.

SeamusMcFly said:
...The blue lights at Christmas time were nice, I'd like to see something like that year round.
Click to expand...

The artists are currently at work on a more permanent (re)installation of those lights.
 
Didn't I hear something about about some kind of recession from 2008 till now? Why do so many people on this forum think that if people want something built then the developers should build regardless of the economy or the need for a profit.
 
Just an Observation:

<opinion>

Two developers arrive in Fort Point around 2006. Each purchase approximately 17 former Boston Wharf Co. buildings, each in roughly same condition.

DEVELOPER #1

A few notable achievements (2006-2012)

FP3 Condos
381 Congress (top notch rehab for residential/restaurant under way)
Art Gallery on ground floor FP3
Sportello (USA top 50 restaurant)
Drink (USA top bar)
Menton (USA top 10 restaurant, only 4-star in Boston)
Barrington Coffee
Art at 12 (retail for arts community)
Flour (kickass bakery)
Rehab of Boston Fire Museum
President sits on Boston Landmarks Commission Study Committee
President sits on Rose Kennedy Greenway Commission
VP (or top exec) serves on Boston Landmarks Commission
The list goes on.

DEVELOPER #2

381 Congress (bought tenanted, still tenanted, flipped) Papagayo on ground floor.
316-322 Summer Street (bought tenanted, vacated, flipped, still vacant, new owner has a tenant)
49 Melcher (bought tenanted, vacated, bldg left as is, still vacant)
51 Melcher (bought tenanted, vacated, bldg left as is, recently flipped, still vacant)
A Street Deli (bought tenanted, vacated, bldg left as is, recently flipped, still vacant)
63 Melcher (bought tenanted, vacated, bldg left as is, still vacant)
319 A St Front (bought tenanted, bldg left as is, no rehab)
319 A St Rear (bought tenanted, bldg left as is, to be demolished)
327 Summer (bought tenanted, vacated, bldg left as is, recently brought in a few tenants)
337 Summer (bought tenanted, vacated, bldg left as is, recently brought in a few tenants)

FEEL FREE TO CORRECT ME OR ADD TO THE LIST.

I'd empathize regarding the economy, but I've followed the history here of purchasing, securing approvals for new construction, and flipping untouched buildings at a premium with approvals in hand.

If you walk through Fort Point and note the neglected buildings -- attractive nuisances with a history of vandalism, graffiti and kids running on rooftops -- you can identify the portfolio.

The lengthy approval process served one purpose here: To secure upwards of 300,000 square feet of new construction permits and sell off the majority of the properties in nearly the same condition they were purchased without putting a shovel in the ground or significantly rehabbing a single wharf building.

DON'T GET ME WRONG, OBSERVER: I'm optimistic long term. Why? New ownership. I predict flowers will bloom and personally won't attribute that to an improving economy.

</opinion>

Edit: Added Papagayo, which is a definite plus.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top