Image courtesy of Nelson Worldwide

What: Crimson Galeria
Where: 57 JFK St., Cambridge
Owner: Crimson Galeria LP
Built: 2023-2025 

A 3-story addition to the Crimson Galeria building will create 38 new apartments in Harvard Square. 

Nauset Construction recently began installation of 42 micropiles and structural steel upgrades to support the addition. 

The Dhanda family, owners and developers of the property, initially planned to build office space above the retail storefronts. After the pandemic disrupted the office market, they returned to Cambridge officials and received approval for the multifamily project. 

The development also includes updates to the retail space, most of which has remained open during construction. Korean chicken chain Bonchon will reopen in the near future, according to developers, along with new tenants Cookies and Achilito’s Taqueria. 

They Said It: 

“There is an obvious need for both market-rate and affordable units in this market – certainly more than there is currently for office – and this addition will deliver both. We own and operate another mixed-use property with apartments and ground-floor retail in Harvard Square that is always oversubscribed and continues to perform well for us, and we fully anticipate that the Crimson Galeria apartments will also do well.”   

— Rachna Balakrishna, principal, Crimson Galeria LP