Industry News
Why Hometown Financial Broke from Mutual Bank Path
One of Massachusetts’ largest mutual bank holding companies is switching to a stock institution, highlighting a philosophical divide among industry leaders about the best way to grow and succeed.
Rent Control Proposal Should Be Wake-Up Call to Real Estate Industry
Real estate declared victory over rent control far too quickly. It’s time to get ahead of an expected 2028 fight with alternatives that speak to supporters’ motivations.
Beacon Hill Won’t Go Big on Housing. But That’s Not the End of the Story
Hoping Beacon Hill will demolish NIMBY zoning in one grand bill? Consider the saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.
Taxing Home Sales Won’t Solve Massachusetts’ Housing Crisis
A transfer tax would make it harder to buy, sell and build housing while doing little to address the root cause of our housing affordability crisis.
What It Takes to Build with Faith
Nonprofit developer Bill Grogan is an expert in working with faith groups to build housing on their land, something the state could legalize this summer with “YIGBY” legislation.
Luxury Market Outpaces the Field
The luxury housing market ain’t what it used to be, in more ways than one. Four different analyses show what’s happening.
Hot Property: The Amp at Suffolk Downs
A new 600-seat amphitheater has begun hosting a series of concerts through September at Suffolk Downs, but it has a secret: It doubles as flood protection.
Somerville Mayor Encourages Copper Mill to ‘Show Your Work’
First-term Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson welcomed the sight of a construction crane in Winter Hill, signaling progress on one of the city’s most prominent and formerly dormant building sites: the former Star Market property. Wilson was less committed to supporting construction of a 24-story apartment tower across town in Davis Square, however.
The Gossip Report: July 17, 2026
Two homes in this week’s roundup of Massachusetts’ most expensive residential sales are both on Nantucket, and are both the same size, but one sold for almost triple the price of the other.
Rockland Trust Hopeful Loan Pipeline Boosts Portfolio Quality
Rockland Trust executives say they’re hopeful that its commercial real estate pipeline will boost the quality of the bank’s portfolio.
Synergy JV Buys Downtown Office Tower
Boston-based developer Synergy’s $116 million purchase could be the first in a series of acquisitions with a new financial partner.
Senate Hopes to Legalize Duplexes Statewide in Toned-Down Reform Push
Senate leaders folded major housing policies into an economic development bill, but signaled there would be no standalone housing bill this year.
What Social Media is Saying About Massachusetts’ Housing Debate
Researchers found some surprising trends after analyzing more than 800,000 recent social media posts: sentiment generally supported more housing production.
Grace Lee Returns to M&T Bank
The former head of M&T Bank’s Massachusetts operations is back at the bank after a brief stint as CEO of a Framingham credit union.
Senate Eyes Vote on Economic Development Bill, Housing Components Unknown
Senate leaders are working to finalize their economic development package, seen as the last chance to pass meaningful housing reforms this legislative session.
Boston-Area Still Short 147K Homes, Even as Deficit Shrinks
Boston actually saw its housing deficit decline, according to a new estimate from the listings portal Zillow. But the gap between demand and supply is still huge.
Developer Expands Somerville Proposal to 418 Apartments
The lone developer still seeking to redevelop a city-owned property boosted the size of the project to 418 apartments while eliminating a controversial parking configuration.
Downtown Worcester Housing Conversion, Five Others Land HDIP Money
The Menkiti Group’s anticipated 48-unit residential conversion in downtown Worcester landed $3.16 million in state tax credits last week.
JV Acquires Shrewsbury Industrial Portfolio for $75.1M
A 300,075-square-foot industrial portfolio developed by Wakefield-based NorthBridge Partners in 2023 was acquired by a joint venture for $75.1 million following a successful leasing campaign.
248K SF Office-to-Housing Project Proposed in Watertown
Underutilized commercial space near Watertown Square would be replaced with 285 housing units under a Newton developer’s proposal.
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