National Development's Ironworks development planned in South Boston. Image courtesy Elkus Manfredi Architects, ZGF Architects and COOKFOX Architects, DPC
A 1.1 million-square-foot development will remake over 5 acres on South Boston’s Dorchester Avenue with four towers of labs, housing and retail space.
Boston Planning & Development Agency directors approved National Development’s plans for the Iron Works project at 323-365 Dorchester Ave.
The project includes 310 housing units, 17 percent of which will be income-restricted, in a pair of 11- and 15-story buildings.
The life science portion of the project totals 623,000 square feet, in two 11- and 13-story towers. The tallest structures are located at the rear of the site bordering the MBTA Red Line and commuter rail tracks.
The plans retain 3 acres of open space, and National Development will deed 1.6 acres to the city for new rights of way.
The development will generate $7.5 million in linkage payments to the city of Boston for affordable housing and $1.4 million for job training programs. The approval also calls for a $7 million commercial density bonus payment and $4.5 million residential density bonus. The residential bonus will subsidize 2,000 square feet of local retail or cultural space.
Three other projects were reviewed at the BPDA’s monthly board meeting on Thursday.
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology received approval for its new Nubian Square campus as it prepares to relocate from its century-old home in South End. The new 3-story, 68,000-square-foot building at 1003 Harrison Ave. will include classrooms, a robotics lab and community space.
At 2164 Washington St. in Roxbury, redevelopment of the BPDA-owned Blair Lot will create a new commercial and cultural hub. Nubian Ascends Partners is planning 135,000 square feet of office-lab space – potentially for training future biotech workers – a 50,000-square-foot food market and culinary center, a 19,000-square-foot cultural hall and 9,000 square feet of artist and maker space. The project also includes 15 housing units.
And a pair of approved residential developments will include 15 condos at 22 High St. in Dorchester, and 30 housing units at 1318 River St. in Hyde Park.
