Category Archives: SoWa

Developers behind one of the largest new residential projects in Boston—a 650-unit apartment complex spread out over more than 3 acres of land between Albany Street and extending to Harrison Avenue officially broke ground and started construction last week on September 18th.

Formerly known as the Harrison/Albany project and now called The Smith , this development will include: 650 residential apartments; approximately 75,000 square feet of new and renovated office space; nearly 20,000 square feet of retail and cultural space; up to as many as 650 below ground parking spaces; as well as open space available to the public.

Rendering via Elkus Manfredi Architects

Newton-based National Development is the real estate developer that built the Ink Block. Earlier this week they proposed building a 14-story residential building on a sliver of land along Albany Street that would either be a part of or abut the Ink Block. The developer describes the potential new building as a 245 “co-living, multifamily” residential building that would be marketed towards Millennials.

The development is being marketed as micro-apartments with many units smaller than 400 square feet that also offers organized social activities (e.g. regular wine tastings, sightseeing tours, etc…) designed to help bring residents together. According to the article on Curbed Boston, the apartments are marketed more as places to sleep, shower and cook the odd meal. Such a set up has zero appeal to me, but I can see how someone who is new to town or is rarely home may like this sort of set up. The project still needs Boston Planning and Development Agency approval. Stay tuned.

In case you missed it, a new (and very cool) park officially opened in the South End this past weekend. Located under the I-93 overpass by the Ink Block, it shows how creatively the city is thinking and how space once unused and unsafe can be transformed.

I first wrote about the park called Underground at the Ink Block or Underground Ink for short in August in this post. Since then, finishing work was done and street artists from all over the United States including Los Angeles, Miami, New York City and Boston were invited to come and bring life to the concrete ramp walls that define this urban park. The developers behind the neighboring Ink Block, National Development, will manage the new park.

Below are photos that I took while enjoying the opening party on Saturday afternoon. When you get a chance I’d recommend you check it out. You can also like the park’s Facebook Page to learn more about upcoming events.

InkUndergroundBos

The pace of construction in the SoWa district of Boston’s South End neighborhood seems to have quickened recently along Harrison Avenue. Earlier this month the 14-story multi-building complex currently known by its address, 345 Harrison Avenue, topped off.

When construction is completed the complex will include 585 new residential apartments along with 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, 275 parking spaces and 325 bicycle spaces. Amenities in the building will also include a resort-style pool, fully equipped fitness center and sky lounge with beautiful views of the city. Below is a rendering of what 345 Harrison will look like when completed. The view is looking north with the Ink Block to the right and behind that I-93 with a barely recognizable and poorly created skyline of Boston’s Financial District off in the distance.

8-acre cultural playground, opening in South End this June

Move over Lawn on D in Southie. You are no longer the coolest park in Boston. The developer of the Ink Block announced last week that a new 8-acre urban park under the I-93 expressway will open this June. Dubbed, “Ink Underground”, this previously unused space that extends east from Albany Street to Fort Point Channel under I-93 will include pedestrian boardwalks and bicycle paths along Fort Point Channel, creating a new, active connection between the rapidly-developing South End and South Boston.

Amenities at Ink Underground will include 24-hour security, a dog park, a curated series of pop-up food and beverage experiences, public art walls, sculpture exhibitions and a diverse program of special events (like the one shown below) including a graffiti art festival, an artisan night market and fitness classes. Additionally, a bike storage facility and 175 parking spaces will be located at Ink Underground.

Like Ink Undeground’s Facebook page to stay up to date with programming and events that will take place in this new public space / park.

A rendering of the plans for the former Boston Flower Exchange in the South End. Source: The Abbey Group

The Abbey Group, which purchased the former Boston Flower Exchange in the South End recently shared their plans for the 5+ acre parcel of land.

The space as they envision it will be transformed into a large commercial office building complex targeting health and technology businesses that would be drawn to the proximity of Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School. The new development will create 1.6 million square feet of lab or tech office space with additional plans for open space, restaurants and retail on the ground level. You can read the full article in last week’s Boston Globe, here.

In little more than a month the SoWa Open Market will return to Harrison Avenue, spanning several parking lots from East Berkeley to Waltham Street.

This year the market will be open both Saturday and Sunday, starting April 29th and run through October 29th.  The market includes a local artisan market, farmers market, food trucks and last year’s popular craft beer garden.

New England Open Markets website does not make mention of their South End market which last year set up across from the Ink Block. However, their website suggests that they are planning a handful of interesting “pop-up” markets that will take place periodically throughout the summer, starting June 3rd.

June 3 2017 and September 23 2017 from 11AM – 5PM

Off the Wall will feature both local and renowned artists who will transform Ink Underground into a world of uplifting artistic expression. The pop up market is set for both June 3rd and September 23rd from 11AM – 5PM.

June 10 2017 and September 9 2017 from 11AM – 5PM

We Love Local is New England Open Markets salute to local artists and food artisans and entrepreneurs. The program will be hosted at Ink Underground on the corner of Traveler and Albany Street on both June 10th and September 9th.

Night Market at Ink Underground will take place on both June 24th and
September 16th from 5-11PM and will be illuminated by artistic light installations. The Night Market will take place at the new Ink Underground, on the corner of Travelers & Albany Street, in Boston’s South End.