Category Archives: SoWa

This past week the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) approved two more real estate projects in the South End’s SoWa district that combined will result in bringing more than 970 new residential units to Harrison Ave.

The first and larger development is The Harrison Albany Block, (shown above from Albany Street), it will include 650 residential units and span from Harrison Avenue to Albany Street between East Canton and East Dedham streets.

Aerial view of The Harrison Albany block

The large development will include three levels of below grade parking garage, 29,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space and 65 affordable units (with some designated specifically for working artists). In addition, the developers will pay into a BPDA fund to purchase or subsidize another 65 units someplace else. Originally proposed as a 710 unit development back in the fall of 2015 modest reductions were made in response to neighborhood concerns.

370-380 Harrison Avenue

The second residential complex approved by the BPDA this past week is for the 370-380 Harrison project, which will include 92 condos and 232 apartments that will be built on the site of the former Quinzani Bakery and Ho Kong Bean Sprout Co. next to the Ink Block. The developer has committed to ensuring at least 20% of the units will be marketed as affordable.

Similar to the Harrison Albany Block, the 370-380 Harrison Ave. project has scaled back slightly from the original proposal shared last March, which initially proposed 280 residential units. It is unclear if their original proposal of including 180 parking spaces and commercial space were changed.

The Girard at 600 Harrison Avenue recently opened in the South End

There has been a lot of construction in Boston’s South End lately with much of the development taking place in a section of the neighborhood referred to as SoWa (South of Washington Street).

Below is a roundup of much of the development activity in the neighborhood.

AC Hotel South End – 273 Albany Street Construction on this 200-room AC Hotel by Marriott started in February 2016 next to the Ink Block Development. The hotel’s ground floor will host a number of amenities including a bar and lounge area, a fitness center, an indoor pool, conference rooms and more. The six story building is expected (but we will see) to complete construction by the end of this year.

The Factory at 46 Wareham – 46 Wareham Street  Construction started on this mixed use building in November 2015. The project will restore the facade of an existing historic industrial building and construct a new addition to create condominiums as well as 30,000+ square feet of office space. Originally scheduled to open in the summer of 2017 the timeline seems ambitious  but progress has clearly been made.

345 Harrison Avenue Construction on the two 14-story residential buildings that comprise this new development in the South End started in March 2016. The development is expected to include 585 residential units, 275 parking spaces, 325 bicycle spaces as well as 40,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. Located across from the Ink Block Development this is one of several new construction projects that is transforming the neighborhood by converting under-used or vacant space into vibrant residential complexes. 345 Harrison is expected to complete construction by the end of 2018.

The Lucas – 136 Shawmut Avenue Construction on this unique 33-unit residential building repurposes what was a vacant German Catholic church into a modern luxury condominium.  While construction started in October of 2015, no date of completion has been provided, but word on the street is that this will not be finished before the end of this year – possibly early 2018.

370-380 Harrison Avenue Construction has yet to begin on this project as plans await approval after some positive initial feedback. It was last January that plans were initially shared which would demolish the Quinzani Bakery and Ho Kong Bean Sprout Co. on the corner of Harrison Avenue and East Berkeley Streets to create a 300,000 square-foot housing and retail project with 180 parking spaces.

Source for construction updates: bldup.com

It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that I was writing that the South End and SoWa Open Markets were opening for the season, but the reality is it has been six months and tomorrow, Sunday, October 30th marks the last market of the season. Both markets have continued to thrive and had a stellar year.

South End Open Market and the SOWA Market are separated by 3 blocks and are open from 10 AM – 4PM. Come over to the neighborhood and check them out before they close up for the season.