Commercial Interests
A Banker & Tradesman Blog
Somerville Mangles Union Square Project Process
To see a current example of local bureaucracy run amok, one need look no further than Somerville, where city officials are giving the run-around to a promising proposal, and giving up their power to a big, corporate developer.
The One YIMBY Running in Boston
One is better than none, but when only one out of 34 people running for seats on the Boston City Council appears to truly get what needs to be done to fix the housing crisis, we’ve got a problem.
Refuges from Boston’s Housing Market Are Disappearing
Some of the last remaining escape hatches from Greater Boston’s grossly overpriced housing market – Worcester and Providence – are starting to close. And unfortunately, local NIMBYs seem determined to make the problem worse.
The Emperor Had No Clothes, After All
The end may finally be near for WeWork. To that, I say: Good riddance, and maybe we can look forward to a little less bunkum in a business world that’s been full of it.
Eng’s New Hires Are a Bigger Deal Than You Think
Leave it to the local press to miss the significance of the first big management move by new T chief Phillip Eng. His new hires aren’t cronies, and they’re not “reinforcements,” either.
Where’s the Plan, Governor?
“From dire to downright catastrophic” just about sums up the steady progression of the housing crisis in Massachusetts over the past year, with new construction falling off a cliff as rents and home prices keep setting records.
America’s Biggest Flipper Calls It Quits
Sadly, taking advantage of other people’s misery and mistakes can be a highly profitable business. But it comes with big reputational risks – something that David Hicks found out the hard way.
With Questionnaire, Housing Advocates Jump into Boston Politics
The solution to our housing woes? Elect more local officials who truly get that a shortage is what’s driving up those crazy prices and rents. Enter Abundant Housing Massachusetts.
Is Bulfinch’s Natick Mall Lab Plan Dead or Alive?
When it comes to real estate projects, no news is not good news. Rather, it’s an almost universal sign of bad news.
A Modest Proposal for a Truce on Real Estate’s Carbon Emissions
Why not let posh suburbs like Wellesley and Lincoln pass all the green mandates and regulations they can dream up? But there’d be a catch: Get serious about helping Greater Boston fix its housing affordability crisis.
What Glitters Hasn’t Turned Out to Be Gold in Springfield
MGM’s casino is employing only half the workers it promised, and concerns about crime and complaints about amenities that have stayed shuttered post-pandemic raise questions about its future.
Can City Afford to Foot Office Conversion Bills?
Not long ago, Boston’s traditional center of business and commerce appeared poised for a glorious new future as the city’s newest residential neighborhood. But even if the city chips in money for conversions, a big transformation could prove costly.
Slowdown Ahead for Downtown Condos?
Half full or half empty? That’s one question to be asked as an assortment of new condo towers compete for buyers and pushes to keep the sales momentum going.
Comrade, Don’t Forget Who Pays You
It would be hard to say that Cambridge isn’t doing its level best to back up its beliefs in social justice with cold, hard cash.
Luxury Condo Sales Off to Slow Start
No real estate market is bulletproof. And the condominium market in downtown Boston, dominated as it is by multimillion-dollar luxury sales, is no exception.
Healey Has No Time to Waste on Housing Secretary
Unless you think the law of supply and demand doesn’t have any bearing on the housing market, you know the sudden halt in new construction will make our shortage of homes even worse, driving prices even higher.
Beat-Up Banks Leave Real Estate Waiting
Last week’s bank earnings reports confirm: It’s going to be a long wait before projects will be able to find ready financing again.
Wu Is Whistling Past the Office Tower Graveyard
With all due respect, one wonders whether the mayor’s CFO is living in the same world as the rest of us in day-to-day contact with the business of real estate and development.
Marathon Town Home Prices Take Home the Gold
The Boston Marathon’s route, which stretches from the outer suburbs to downtown Boston, isn’t paved in gold – at least not yet. But some communities along the 26.2-mile course have seen home prices explode.
A Home-Price Disaster in Sudbury
Now here’s a real crisis we can all get up in arms about: The U.S. has lost 58 “million-dollar” cities over the past eight months, per Zillow, including our own Sudbury. But is the latest report all it’s cracked up to be?
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