Category Archives: South End

After 10 years, the 7 Eleven at Rollins Square has officially closed.  While nothing is official, rumors suggest that Pet Supplier, Petco, is eyeing the space.  With so many pets in the neighborhood I’m sure many would like to see such a store come into the neighborhood but rather than trading one national chain for another, I would far prefer to see a local retailer replace the 7 Eleven.

Do you live in the South End? What would you like to see go into the vacated 7 Eleven space at 1310 Washington St.?

Graybar Electric Co. at 345 Harrison Avenue

Boston’s South End continues to boom with so many construction projects it makes my head spin.  Perhaps Curbed Boston said it best late last month in their post, South End’s Constuctionpalooza Rocks on at 345 Harrison.

Nordblom rendering of proposed new residential complex for 345 Harrison Avenue

Just blocks from my home there are currently two large construction projects underway; the Ink Block will add approximately 500 condos / apartments and 275 Albany Street is being prepped to add another 400 condos / apartments.  Last month developer Nordblom proposed replacing the Graybar Electric Co. building located across the street from the Ink Block with a new apartment complex that would include 13-story and 14-story buildings and add another 600 residential units.

Aerial view of proposed residential complex at 345 Harrison Avenue

Should Nordblom get approval to build, that would mean 1,500 new residential units may be added within just blocks of each other over the next few years, transforming what has been mostly vacant and under utilized space into a vibrant section of the South End with more residents, restaurants and retail space.

Shoppers who come out and brave the cold will receive a 15%-20% discount from participating South End retailers.  The goal is to encourage shoppers to support local businesses.

This year’s holiday stroll includes more than 30 South End retailers and if you show your receipt from a participating shop you can receive $10 off dinner from participating restaurants.

Buy / Shop Local – Support South End Businesses 4-8 PM

For a complete list of participating South End retailers and restaurants link here.

The space formerly known as Francesca’s Cafe at 564 Tremont Street in the South End abruptly closed last month when the building’s new owner, Fredmund “Freddie” Kiley, is rumored to have pushed out the long time tenant.  It is believed that Mr. Kiley would like to have a higher end cafe or restaurant in the space, but the existing space was deemed to be too small.

A South End resident told this blogger that the framed structure recently erected (see the above photo) is meant to expand the commercial space at 564 Tremont Street so it will be more attractive to a new tenant. Clearly Kiley has the midas touch when it comes to working the system here in Boston, because I’ve rarely seen anything approved so quickly in this neighborhood. Although Francesca’s may be missed, I’m more than a little curious to see what may come into this newly expanded space and when it might open.  

Know anything about this project? Give me a shout.

On Friday I wrote about The Boston Globe article that reported  an unused train track could potentially connect the Seaport District to the Back Bay.

What the report didn’t say but can be gleaned from The Boston Globe map (shown above) is where Track 61 resides.  If this new MBTA line comes to life, it would be a boon for more than just the Back Bay and Seaport District.

The South End’s Ink Block deserves a stop along Track 61

Track 61 runs past the new Ink Block development in the South End.  With several hundred new condos and apartments currently approved to be built in this part of the neighborhood, it is worth considering how having a MBTA stop might help better connect the neighborhood. It also seems feasible that a stop could be created near the always congested South Bay in Dorchester.

Note: Druker’s proposed building would be in parcel no. 1.

I love Boston, and I love my neighborhood, but the recent uproar to Ron Druker’s plan to build an 11-story office and retail building at 80 East Berkeley Street has left me scratching my head. The Boston Globe wrote, “Judged against its current surroundings, Ron Druker’s proposed building in Boston’s South End fits in about as well as a spaceship in a cornfield.” Really? I disagree.

While it is true that most of the South End is comprised of buildings ranging from 3-6 stories, a quick look at the image above shows a fairly blighted area filled with parking lots and shabby single story buildings with the exception of another 11-story building two blocks away.  Interestingly, those other boxes in yellow signify new projects that have been given the green light and range in height from 5 to 20 stories tall so in a matter of 2-3 years, much of this section of the South End will be filled with buildings of varying size and design.  I like the idea that the neighborhood will have this variety but do it without jeopardizing the many blocks of Bow Front Victorians that dominate most of the South End.

This location could not be more appealing to businesses if the city tried, sandwiched between the intersection of two major highways and near mass transit. My hope is that these early plans from Druker and others will help build a case for covering / spanning I-90 before long, bringing life to what is currently rundown warehouses, parking lots and underutilized space.