Greystar | 35 Garvey Street | Everett

I mean, I think the moniker is more about price than anything…

Sure, in the way that a used car that runs well costs more than one that doesn't...

It may be a sad reality, but let's face it, in our current housing economy, housing that "runs well" is expensive. But that doesn't mean it's really "luxury" in the way anyone is historically used to using that word.
 
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Is this archboston.com or purelyutilitarianboston.com?

You seem to be under the impression that this location is the Back Bay, North End or Kenmore Square.

This is in freaking Everett!! (And not even by the Mystic River coastline that has great future promise).

Perspective: This massive housing stock is actually the greatest thing that could happen at this point in time to that god forsaken location. Holding out for Rowes Wharf or that new Harriet Tubman House to be built in this location will only ensure that this area remains a desert.

The economic survival of the Boston area hinges on expanding the housing stock and fixing the T.
 
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You seem to be under the impression that this location is the Back Bay, North End or Kenmore Square.

This is in freaking Everett!! (And not even by the Mystic River coastline that has great future promise).

Perspective: This massive housing stock is actually the greatest thing that could happen at this point in time to that god forsaken location. Holding out for Rowes Wharf or that new Harriet Tubman House to be built in this location will only ensure that this area remains a desert.
+1 ^. At least in Everett the NIMBYism is small and the city government is pro-development. That is highly unusual and encouraging to see. I predict Everett will eventually be a primo city, leaving the uptight provincial burgs behind in the dust.
 
If all of these new developments are quickly occupied and some semblance of a functioning neighborhood begins to develop
This is the major point - you need roots for a neighborhood to develop. Let the population grow here, and it will attract the next phase- likely a different "downtown Everett" (that isn't the casino). If the city planners are aware of movement patterns and pushing for an active mix of uses with lots of residential growth, this new neighborhood will be a generational success.
 
This type of development is taking place in so many areas around the ring of Boston - - this is exciting - - Greater Boston is actually becoming GREATER Boston.

Somerville, Medford, Charlestown Everett, Chelsea (The "Mystic Riviera" tm), Cambridge, Malden, Suffolk Downs Revere, Quincy, Lynn, etc. Really, the periphery of downtown (but also Boston's own Allston/Brighton, and the massive Dorchester Bay City) are experiencing unprecedented urban development.
 
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I like this development for a number of reasons, but one of which is that these buildings are being dropped right alongside existing density residential and commercial, vs in a suburb off of a highway with a big parking lot. Those are needed, too, but you can live here and walk out your door and be in an existing walkable neighborhood vs hoping that unfilled retail spaces get taken up - and by something other than another pricy coffee shop. I know these last photos have a tire shop and a check cashing store, but the developers do not have to manufacture a commercial district to fill units.
 
The greatest thing about the 5 over 1’s is the flexibility. They can have parking at ground level, condo entrances, retail, restaurants, lobbies, gyms, game rooms etc.. Then as far as the structure themselves they can be made into damn near any shape and with modern precast panels the facade can be anything from party panels to brick to limestone.

This area is shaping up really good so far but hopefully like other start from scratch neighborhoods once the first few developments go in it starts to get progressively better with time. The ground level is kind of barren and the materials are kinda cheap so far but either way its still a huge win and I have faith it will get better after it gets established.

North hoboken is an area I always think of when imagining the potential of integrating 5 over 1’s into the street grid. Theyre filling in the northern end of the city by matching the materials and massing to the existing neighborhood and its coming out great and looks like its always been there. You can really only tell from the air because they make perfect ovals or C’s. The flexibility of shape and materials along with ease of construction and cheaper price really means that these can be a huge piece of the pie towards addressing the housing problem. Lets hope other neighborhoods/cities step up as much as everett is.

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Definitely can imagine a 5 over 1 version of Barcelona. They seem tailor made for that style of residential density. Great example in Hoboken. I've seen similar in Los Angeles, where some of the less dense sections of the city are quickly becoming very dense, often tied in with the expansion of the rail network.
 
I like this development for a number of reasons, but one of which is that these buildings are being dropped right alongside existing density residential and commercial, vs in a suburb off of a highway with a big parking lot. Those are needed, too, but you can live here and walk out your door and be in an existing walkable neighborhood vs hoping that unfilled retail spaces get taken up - and by something other than another pricy coffee shop. I know these last photos have a tire shop and a check cashing store, but the developers do not have to manufacture a commercial district to fill units.
Yeah I love heading out of my apartment to the "walkable neighborhood" of Town Fair Tire and the local tow yard, then walking across a six lane surface highway and getting killed immediately.
 
The Checks Cashed landlord has a nice opportunity to cash in themselves, wonder how long that retail has left
 

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