Population growth in the Fenway supports foot traffic and demand for shopping, dining and fitness operators such as cycling studio Handle Bar. Photo by Aram Boghosian | Courtesy of Samuels & Assoc.
There is never an off-season for the Fenway, one of Boston’s most authentic neighborhoods. Bordered roughly by Mass. Ave., Beacon Street, Huntington Avenue and Park Drive, a rich heritage of long-time residents, students, entrepreneurs, artists and visitors creates a tapestry of experiences, drawing an eclectic slate of retail, dining and services to create a compelling destination.
And while baseball season creates a heightened opportunity for our retailers, more than 4,000 workers are here daily, helping businesses thrive year-round. Companies choose to locate here for the convenient access to transit, clustering of like-minded businesses in the health care and life science industries and a diverse mix of residents. Robust retail, dining and fitness options offer convenience to these workers and create more reasons for our residents to stay and enjoy walkability to all they want, need and desire to enjoy their daily lives.
Since Samuels & Assoc. began developing in the Fenway in 1998, it has been a priority to celebrate and maintain the culture of this historic neighborhood, all the while creating inspiring spaces for everyone – residents, visitors, daily workers and our neighbors – to enjoy. The Fenway is called home by artists, students, working professionals and long-time residents who give it authenticity. It has seen dramatic and accelerating population change in the last decade, outpacing city- and statewide growth by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio. And we expect 40 percent more people will call the Fenway home by 2026.
At the same time, proximity to the Longwood Medical Area provides leading life science companies the opportunity to leverage the world’s top medical professionals and institutions. Right now, more than 2.5 million square of office-lab space is under construction, and daytime population is projected at 23,000 by 2025.
Along with office and lab space, we are paving the way for a brand-new Star Market to serve the neighborhood starting in 2025, and look forward to continuing to offer creative programming such as outdoor fitness, public art installations, live music and artisan markets that activate open spaces.
Retailers Drawn to Job, Housing Growth
Together, these statistics create a compelling destination for both national and local retailers and restaurants when choosing where to open their next location. The Fenway delivers terrific foot traffic, both daytime and nighttime activations and an affluent pool of workers and residents who benefit from convenience and walkability to their go-to favorites, ready to deploy both essential and discretionary spending.
Rachael Diharce
This spring a number of new retailers have either just recently opened or will be opening soon including cult fitness favorite Solidcore, a new intimate venue at Rockwood Music Hall, beauty essential LaserAway and Citizens Bank. Bartaco will open in 2024 and a new French restaurant from an award-winning chef is soon to debut, continuing to broaden the neighborhood’s dining options – from in-demand fast-casual concepts to fine dining offerings of James Beard award-winners such as Jody Adams of Saloniki, Mike Wiley and Andrew Taylor of Eventide and Tim and Nancy Cushman of Hojoko, GoGo Ya and Ms. Clucks Deluxe.
Some of the neighborhood’s favorite spots also continue to evolve. Tasty Burger, the longest-running pop-up in the neighborhood, is opening a new permanent flagship location on Van Ness Street this month, while Eventide just reopened after a renovation converting the space to a sit-down offering, similar to their original location in Portland, Maine. New offerings at Time Out Market include Lala’s Neapolitan-ish Pizza, Squeeze Juice Co. and Table Caffé.
Looking ahead, more than 3,000 residential units are planned within 2 miles of the Fenway along with 4 million square feet of new office-lab space expected to deliver over the next five to 10 years. Samuels & Assoc. is grounded here and we take our responsibility seriously to continue to grow the neighborhood while delivering a genuine experience to the more than 300,000 residents who live within 2 miles of the area and 80,000 nearby college students. If you haven’t been to the Fenway recently, it is worth a visit whether you come early before your next ballgame or make a special trip.
Rachael Diharce is vice president of retail leasing at Samuels & Assoc.
