Tag Archives: SOWA

The South End rumor mill is grinding fast and furious these days.  Earlier this year SoWa Boston confirmed GTI Properties purchased the Jesuit Urban Center and the Immaculate Conception Church on Harrison Avenue.  Unconfirmed reports suggest that GTI Properties plans to convert these two 19th century structures into 80 apartments.

In addition to news about GTI Properties latest development, rumor has it that a Mexican restaurant will soon be opening in the space formerly occupied by Sibling Rivalry on Tremont Street in the South End.

At this point, this is only an unconfirmed rumor but it is one that I’ve now heard from two different restaurant owners in the South End. Questions remain who may be behind the new restaurant, but if it is true this extends a streak of Mexican restaurants opening in Boston that I thought had run its course.  This would be the first second (sorry El Centro!) Mexican restaurant to open in the South End and be just two blocks from Masa, a southwest bar and grill. If the rumors prove true, the new restaurant could give both El Centro and Masa a run for their money.

Late in 2012 Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams opened their newly expanded furniture store which doubled the floor space of their original storefront.

So I was surprised to see that Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams have opened a sizable Pop Up furniture store at 520 Harrison Avenue near the intersection of Harrison and Randolph Street.   According to the sales rep I spoke to the store will remain here in SoWa for the next few months and they are open from 10am – 6pm daily. Unfortunately, I did not get a phone number, but you may contact their flagship store in the South End for more details at 617-266-0075.

A few weeks ago I mentioned on my blog the city of Boston had approved a new hotel and residences to be built just a few blocks from my home.  I am so happy to hear that space currently used as a parking lot near Interstate 93 will be redesigned and add space for residents and commercial purposes.

I have paired a photo from Google Maps with the image of the proposed development offered by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.  The $165  million dollar project will include 3-story parking garage, 19-story residential tower, and a 11-story hotel that has 325 “micro-rooms” (I have no idea what a micro room is but I don’t care since I live two blocks away and hopefully will never need to make use of the rooms).

This development happens to be next to the neighborhoods largest redevelopment plan that is currently underway called the Ink Block (shown above). The  project revitalizes 6 acres of land previously owned and occupied by the Boston Herald Newspaper.  The Ink Block plans propose multiple buildings of mixed use space with more than 470 rental residential units, retail space (including a 50,000 square foot Whole Foods) and 400+ below ground parking lot.