M Block development

Where: Seaport Boulevard and Pier 4 Boulevard, Boston

What: M Block development

Owner: Cottonwood Management

Built: 2017-2020

• Pasadena, California-based Cottonwood Management has begun site work on an $800 million residential and retail development in Boston’s Seaport District.
• Designed by KPF Architects, the 1-million-square-foot project will include three residential towers containing 730 condominiums and luxury apartments above 125,000 square feet of retail space. Newton-based WS Development will own the retail condo component.
• Cottonwood, founded in 2011 by Alexander Shing, acquired the 3.5-acre site previously used for surface parking from Boston Global Investors and Morgan Stanley for $120 million in October 2015. Cottonwood recently leased 8,800 square feet at 101 Seaport for offices and a future sales gallery as it ramps up its East Coast presence.

“Cottonwood Management views the East Coast as critical to our long-term strategic plans. The M1/M2 project embodies the creativity, luxury and 21st century sensibilities that will permeate all of Cottonwood’s future projects and investments. Our new Boston office allows us to develop our Seaport project while identifying other opportunities in East Coast urban centers.”

— Alexander Shing, CEO, Cottonwood Management