South End Infill and Small Developments

-Approved changes to 1000 washington st. The roof is modified to accommodate new vents for labs.

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“The 2023 Project consists of alterations to the existing 11-story building at 1000 Washington Street to accommodate approximately 237,031 square feet of new life science uses.”

https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/1000-washington-street
 

593-595 Albany Street​

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“Redevelopment of 593-595 Albany Street. Plans call for a 6-story mixed-use multifamily building.”

https://www.bldup.com/projects/593-595-albany-street

**On bldup it says this is in Roxbury, but according to bostonplans its in the south end, so I put it in this thread.

http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/64c37bd1-21ac-4ec1-9e3b-5fdbcc135823/

According to historical maps of Roxbury around the time of annexation this was a part of Roxbury, but if the city says otherwise today on the development website I guess Ill go with that.

https://www.baystatebanner.com/2014/02/19/annexation-map-shows-historic-city-borders/
 
I would consider everything Northeast of Mass Avenue, and everything to the Northwest of the Expressway and connector road to be a part of the South End. However, many years ago, I think the Roxbury Canal was located about where the Connector Road is located now.

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593-595 Albany Street​

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“Redevelopment of 593-595 Albany Street. Plans call for a 6-story mixed-use multifamily building.”

https://www.bldup.com/projects/593-595-albany-street

**On bldup it says this is in Roxbury, but according to bostonplans its in the south end, so I put it in this thread.

http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/64c37bd1-21ac-4ec1-9e3b-5fdbcc135823/

According to historical maps of Roxbury around the time of annexation this was a part of Roxbury, but if the city says otherwise today on the development website I guess Ill go with that.

https://www.baystatebanner.com/2014/02/19/annexation-map-shows-historic-city-borders/
This is South End and under construction.

re: Roxbury, the 02118 zip code, which this is in, is referred to as Roxbury by USPS, so you get it from address look up services. Nearly none of the present South End was once Roxbury, but ironically a chunk of Back Bay was.
 
This is South End and under construction.

re: Roxbury, the 02118 zip code, which this is in, is referred to as Roxbury by USPS, so you get it from address look up services. Nearly none of the present South End was once Roxbury, but ironically a chunk of Back Bay was.
I always like to point out that zip codes have less to do with a neighborhood identity and more to do with the efficiency of delivering mail. Over time, people have embraced the zip code as shorthand for a place, but that's not what it was created for.
 
This block is going to be interesting with this new building, 587 (eventually, but ZBA approved), and the large one on the corner to be renovated as the last piece of Harrison Albany block.
 
I’m interested in how this facade turns out. Looks very dated in the render but its a low quality render. If the grey park is grey brick itll prob look okay, if its concrete this may look like a public housing block. Ill hold off judgement until theres a sampler or facade install.

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Officials break ground on new South End development​

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“Construction is officially underway for the Northampton Street Residences in the South End, a project approved by the Boston Planning & Development Agency in September 2022.

Developer THR Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Transom Real Estate and Harbor Run Development, is converting a former parking lot at 597-599 Columbus Ave. into 47 home ownership units in a newly built, five-story building. These units will be a mix of 16 studio homes, 19 one-bedroom homes, seven two-bedroom homes and five three-bedroom homes.

One home will be handicapped accessible. The transit-oriented development will also include community space and bike storage.
Boston’s planning chief Arthur Jemison said by offering affordable homeownership opportunities to area residents, these future homes “represent the kind of positive investment we want to see in Boston.””

https://bostonagentmagazine.com/2023/12/08/officials-break-ground-on-new-south-end-development/
 
3/3 Looking down on some of the new buildings from the Pru.

IMG_0514 by David Z, on Flickr
This reminds me how odd it is that Castle Square (light gray/white mid-rise cluster, in the lower center) has never been able to complete its energy efficiently upgrades (new windows, insulated cladding, solar on rooftop). Note the two buildings of original design near the left of the cluster. :confused:
 
This reminds me how odd it is that Castle Square (light gray/white mid-rise cluster, in the lower center) has never been able to complete its energy efficiently upgrades (new windows, insulated cladding, solar on rooftop). Note the two buildings of original design near the left of the cluster. :confused:
Different owner! The section that wasn't renovated was a Boston Housing property "Eva White Apartments", the others were public/private partnership "Castle Square". Looks like in 2018 (after construction finished), the BHA selected a partner to renovate this remaining chunk. https://www.bostonhousing.org/en/News/Castle-Square-Tenants-Organization-Designated-to-O.aspx
 
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Hilarious, WeWork gut reno'd this whole building and then went bankrupt. Should've always been apartmetns
 
I hope the new apartment residents don't complain about the Gay Pride Block Party that happens every Gay Pride on Chandler Street right in front of this building. 😊
 
The circles area is Castle Court. Is this subsidized housing? I feel like this is ripe for redevelopment. If it is affordable housing I would caveat my redevelopment comment with a 1 to 1.5 replacement
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The buildings themselves don't look that bad, but it seems like they are outdated and with the surrounding density this could be a continuation of what the Ink Block has turned into. If it was a phased approach the overall property could be divided up and allowed for a new unit rollout that could be somewhat seamless. Initial thoughts on phasing below.
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The circles area is Castle Court. Is this subsidized housing? I feel like this is ripe for redevelopment. If it is affordable housing I would caveat my redevelopment comment with a 1 to 1.5 replacement
View attachment 50138
The buildings themselves don't look that bad, but it seems like they are outdated and with the surrounding density this could be a continuation of what the Ink Block has turned into. If it was a phased approach the overall property could be divided up and allowed for a new unit rollout that could be somewhat seamless. Initial thoughts on phasing below.
View attachment 50139
Check out the zoning for the area, completed in the Harrison Albany planning effort a decade ago. Castle Square area is specifically step-down zoning to heights appropriate to start to match South End row houses. You are not building Ink Block height structures here without a big fight.
 
Transitional zoning would make total sense here. The phase 1 above could be your height location (maybe a developer also grabs that parking lot at Herald Street), and then transition down to heights of Dwight Street and beyond.
 

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