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There are only so many residential units you can stuff in the South End, developer says, proposing office space instead
By adamg on Mon, 05/30/2016 - 12:05pm
Architect's rendering.
Nordblom has filed formal plans with the BRA to build several floors of offices atop an existing parking garage at Harrison Avenue and Herald Street and to make renovations to the current building next door to create a new matched set of office buildings on the block.
Like most other developers with holdings in the South End these days, Nordblom had originally planned to put apartments or condos - such as the Ink Block project across Harrison. But in its project notification form, filed last week, Nordblom writes:
After several months of study, it was determined that office use would better complement the site, the immediate neighborhood, and the South End due to the abundance of residential units currently being built in the area.
So instead, the company wants to put eight floors of office space, totaling roughly 230,000 square feet. The first floor would include space for an art gallery or cultural space.
This space will help “anchor” the building to the street life and will allow for an active presence facing the Whole Foods Market and the residential entry across Harrison Avenue.
Nordblom hopes to begin 18 months of construction in early 2017.
321 Harrison Ave. project notification form (29M PDF).
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Comments
Jobs
Totally agree to see office space at this site. The Harrison Albany area was about housing, retail and jobs! Bringing more jobs to this area will support the retail and restaurants in the area and many people that will work in the area with now live there.
Damnit, no.
The South End is a beautiful, thriving living room neighborhood, and it should continue to be developed as such. If builders want to construct office towers, I can think of a few great locations outside of Boston Proper that would be better suited.
You Are Kidding, Right?
This isn't Union Park or Appleton Street nor Rutland Square. You are hard by the Pike and its fumes and part of a site that has been commercially used since um, about 1845.
You are only a few minutes walk from Tufts on the Orange Line and the #9 and the Silver Line stop on the corners of the site. You are at the intersection of two interstates. This is a great site for office space.
There is a growing amount of unease with residential development in the core city, despite the high rents. There is a lot of supply in the market and more coming. Nordbloom is a smart company and did well buying 1000 Washington Street a few years back.
Give me a call if you plan to go into the development business with residential uses. I want to be there to buy you for pennies on the dollar when you fail.
There is a lot of supply in
There is a lot of supply in the market? Have you looked at vacancy rates?
Stop Thinking About Today
Think about 3 to 5 years down the line.
The residential market in Boston right now feels like the office market in 1986. Every guy with a truck is a developer. Nearly every gas station site and underused 1920's brick industrial building is a 45 unit blueprint away from being developed with co-space working, zip car storage, affordable component, pet washing space, etc.
There are still some sites in the city that had grand plans from the mid-80's for 35 story towers that all looked like 75 State Street combined with Nakatomi Plaza from Die Hard. A lot of those sites still haven't been redeveloped.
The proverbial bubble
Sounds like it is ready to pop.
Is this statement based on
Is this statement based on actual data or just the presumption that it "can't possibly get any worse?" Because if it's the latter I'll direct your attention to San Francisco a few years back.
1980's
The same happened in the early '80's. Condos went to rentals then went to office space. The good thing is when the market evens itself out, they go back to residential.
Good point, tcf098.
I don't think that an office building with several stories should be plunked right down in the middle of a thriving residential neighborhood such as the Boston's South End. It that building is to be re-developed into anything, then maybe it should be re-developed into artists's housing/working spaces or something like that. Boston, as a city, could use more artists and craftspeople, anyway.
Why the Hell are artists
Why the Hell are artists 'special' people? Plenty of other professions create useful things and aren't afforded sweet deals.
I have to disagree with you, anon.
There are other professions that create useful things that pay a great deal more than what artists/craftspeople make in a year. Artists and craftspeople make far less than the other professions that you're thinking about.
Why not? If we build offices
Why not? If we build offices in residential neighborhoods, people can walk to work. Isn't that a good thing?
Plenty of people who live in other sections of the city
Plenty of people who live in other sections of the city, including the South End, walk, bike, or even take the T to their office jobs downtown. What do they need offices in the South End or other residential areas of the City of Boston for? They don't, as far as I'm concerned.
May I suggest a wrecking ball
May I suggest a wrecking ball instead?
A wrecking ball? Why?
So they can turn the building into a parking lot or whatever? Forget it!!
How close is this to residential?
Here's a metric: if you live in the South End, and walk out your door, will you be visible from some office building.
The South End
needs more dog bakeries, blowout bars, and yoga studios. NOTHING ELSE!