Seaport District To Add 6M SF to Boston Skyline

Some four million sf of new buildings have already been constructed in the Seaport, including the city's new convention center and federal courthouse. But the building boom is far from over. In fact, it's barely started. Shen says the city, which already counts 17 million sf in the district, has permitted four million sf of construction and another three million sf is under review.

Among the projects either under construction or set to begin are the Marriott Renaissance Hotel, the Westin Hotel and Conference Center, the luxury Seaport Apartments and the Channel Center. Perhaps one of the most important buildings to be built in the area will be the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston's first new museum in almost 100 years. Construction also is slated to begin soon on Pier 4 and Fan Pier, which will bring an abundance of waterfront eateries and retail stores and offices along with one million sf of residential units the busy seaport. All that new construction has made the Seaport District has made it the busiest construction zone in the city.

"Half of what will be newly built in the city will be built on the waterfront," Shen says. "The ultimate plan is to have it a mixed-use district" with residential, commercial and retail uses evenly split. The city is counting on that mix of commercial, retail and residential to bring a renewed vibrancy to an area of docks and long abandoned warehouses. The area already has its share of pioneers.

Several law firms, lured by the recently constructed federal courthouse, have moved their offices to the Seaport District and others are following. Once vacant warehouses--now revamped into luxury condominiums with high ticket price tags--are being scooped up by buyers drawn to the area because of its waterfront location, transportation options and easy airport and highway access. For investors, there's still time to get in on the action. Shen says building along the waterfront will continue for the next 40 years.