BRA OKs 1 Million SF in New Development

The Columbus Avenue Student Housing Project will be constructed on what is currently a surface parking lot at the corner of Burke Street and Columbus Avenue.

BOSTON—The Boston Redevelopment Authority green-lighted six new development projects last week, three of which totaled well in excess of $100 million. The new development will bring additional student housing near Northeastern University, a recreation center to Boston College’s campus and housing in the Seaport, Beacon Hill, Dorchester and East Boston. The BRA calculates the projects approved last Thursday evening total approximately one million square feet of new development and involves nearly $600 million in development cost. Northeastern University, which is partnering with American Campus Communities, was granted approval on its $160-million plan to build an 812-bed apartment building for students with ground floor commercial space at 10 Burke St., located at the southeastern edge of the university’s campus. The 310,000-square-foot building will contain a total of 221 apartment units, consisting of two- and four-bedroom apartments with both shared and private accommodations. Amenities will include a social lounge, a recreation and gaming area, and a fitness center, will be available to residents. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, the Columbus Avenue Student Housing Project will be constructed on what is currently a surface parking lot at the corner of Burke Street and Columbus Avenue. The project will vary in height, from eight stories along Columbus Avenue to 21 stories on the eastern side of the parcel and 16 stories on the western portion. Construction is expected to begin before the end of this year and last approximately two-and-a-half years. Another university-related project—Boston College’s $95-million new recreation center—also garnered BRA approval. The 215,00-square-foot recreation center will be built at the 790-bed Edmonds Hall, which will be demolished to make way for the new center. However, two new dormitories will be opening at the campus, adding 240 new beds. The recreation center will feature six multi-purpose courts, indoor lap and recreational swimming pools, three indoor tennis courts, squash and racquetball courts, weights and general fitness space, and administrative offices. The new center at 200 St. Thomas More Road in Brighton will replace the existing Flynn Recreation Complex, which was built in 1972. In BRA filings, BC estimated that foundation and site work activities should commence in the fall of this year and that the recreation center should be completed by December 2018. The Drew Co.’s latest phase for the Waterside Place development in the Seaport will now move forward. The project, which was revised several times since the original plan was floated back in 2007, calls for 307 rental apartments in a 23-story building. Phase 1B, which will cost $157 million to develop, will be built adjacent to Waterside Place, which opened in early 2014. Located on Massport property, the new development at 501 Congress St. will feature studio to three-bedroom units, 62 of which will be “innovation units.” There will also be 3,500 square feet of retail space. The BRA reports that 15 on-site deed restricted affordable units will rent for between $1,065 and approximately $1,600 per month. The balance of the developer’s affordable housing obligation will be satisfied by a $5.7-million payment to the city’s Inclusionary Development Policy Fund. Another significant project that will now move forward thanks to a favorable BRA vote is the $162-million conversion of a former Suffolk University building complex in Beacon Hill into a 71-unit condominium development. The developer MDMD Owner, LLC acquired the interconnected Gleason L. & Hiram J. Archer and the Frank J. Donahue buildings, which will be renovated for the new condominium development. The project at 33-61 Temple Street will have a little more than 5,700 square feet of amenity space, which could include a fitness room, lounge, or family recreation space. An underground garage with up to 54 parking spaces is also part of the plan as well as covered storage for up to 75 bicycles. The BRA also approved two smaller projects— a $14-millon, 64-unit apartment building near Dorchester’s Ashmont Station and a 20-unit condominium building at 202 Maverick St. in East Boston that is projected to cost $6 million to construct.