The approval process has been a lengthy one for Equity, who purchased Charles River Park from developer Jerome Rappaport in 1998 for about $72 million. Equity first submitted a letter of intent for a 320-unit redevelopment in July 2002 to the BRA, but that project met with resistance from the local residents. The apartment giant then took a step back and began working with the authority on a planning process for the West End, which had a number of other projects taking off, including the Massachusetts General Hospital's construction of a new ambulatory center and the hotel conversion of the Charles Street jail.

"A number of projects were going on at the time in the West End," BRA's Meredith Baumann tells Globest.com. "Equity took a pause in their planning to take part in the process that involved the BRA and the community. The project that was approved is a significantly better one than the original proposal." The major improvement was that the height and density of the project was moved closer to Storrow Drive, and that better integrated into the community, she adds.

The project, West End Residences at Emerson Place, will be the first residential development in the West End in 20 years. Located just off Blossom Street near MGH, the redevelopment will consist of five buildings: a 14-story, 104-unit building; an 11-story, 166-unit building; and three three-story buildings totaling 36 units. Under the agreement with the BRA, 15% of the units will be designated as affordable. The complex will accommodate 660 cars in its below grade parking structures, and will increase in green space on the 5.2-acre site by 58%. Construction is set to begin in late 2005, and will be completed in 24 to 28 months according to an Equity spokeswoman.