The New Residential Conversion Thread

[bigpicture7]

We have a "New Retail Thread" and a "New Office/Lab Thread." Now I think it's time to launch a "New Residential Conversion Thread."

The reason: we've initially been discussing these in threads specific to geographic-specific parts of the city/surroundings, or the topic-specific threads about the pandemic / future of downtown. As things settle out, however, it seems likely that these Residential Conversion projects are going to pop up here and there, including in neighborhoods outside the downtown core. Further, some will be rather small in square footage, so probably don't deserve their own project-specific threads. So, alas, here is The New Residential Conversion Thread.

Kicking it off with this recent article, which tallies the number of Boston office-to-residential conversions in-pipeline to 13 (citing City of Boston, as of June 25, 2024).
This one discusses a proposed conversion at 95 Berkeley St. on the South End borderlands:

Office to residential conversions gain traction in Boston - Marketplace

With office vacancies rife, creating apartments may help the city's housing shortage and declining values. Subsidies are part of the equation.

www.marketplace.org

 

[HenryAlan]

I worked in an office at 95 Berkeley Street many years ago. At the time it was owned by Community Builders and even back in the aughts, they were talking about doing a residential conversion. It's just the sort of building for which such an idea is viable. And there are probably dozens like it spread about the city.

 

[thepixelnation]

It's just the sort of building for which such an idea is viable.

Interesting that the location was warehouse -> offices -> residential. One would think the warehouse bones of the building easier to convert to residential than a lot of more purpose-built office buildings that are more commonly discussed when it comes to residential conversion.

 

[curcuas]

Interesting that the location was warehouse -> offices -> residential. One would think the warehouse bones of the building easier to convert to residential than a lot of more purpose-built office buildings that are more commonly discussed when it comes to residential conversion.

It was meant to be resi, but WeWork bought it for a fortune and started converting it to Office. Then WeWork went bankrupt.

 

[BostonObserver]

Way before that it was supposed to be art galleries

 

[bigpicture7]

Reposting here (thanks, @stick n move ):

18 Residential Units Planned for Downtown Commercial Building​

“Plans are in the works for the redevelopment of 295-297 Franklin Street in Downtown Boston, the former home of Umbria Prime. The 5-story brick building could be converted to 18 rental units with help from the city's tax incentives for residential conversion. Plans include 13 studios and five one-bedroom apartments.”

https://www.bldup.com/posts/18-residential-units-planned-for-downtown-commercial-building

 

[Justbuildit]

Love this building. There are some great gritty alleyways on this section around Broad, Franklin, Oliver etc. Happy to see a handsome brick building get a new life.

 

[stick n move]

IBA Plans to Convert South End Office to Affordable Housing​

“Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción is planning to transform its office building at 2 San Juan St. in the South End into 44 affordable housing units. The project will receive $1M in funding under the new state housing law and the project could also qualify for a tax incentive under Boston's office to residential conversion program.”

https://www.bldup.com/posts/iba-plans-to-convert-south-end-office-to-affordable-housing