Empty Boston Office Towers Have Few Options. Could Housing Be One?
A new study coordinated by a major Boston law firm says the One Lincoln office tower points to a path forward for dozens of buildings facing financial distress.
Boston Signals Flexibility on Affordability Obligations
Developers are getting an increasingly sympathetic hearing from Boston officials in an effort to break the logjam of housing projects still sitting on the drawing boards.
Her Team’s Success Was Her Success
Jeanne Nutt is leaving a job co-leading Gensler’s Boston office after 25 years, over which the office grew four-fold to over 150 staffers and designed high-profile additions to the city’s built environment.
Personnel File – No. 399
From new VPs to fresh project managers, see who’s been hired, promoted and honored: It’s our weekly Personnel File roundup.
‘Fear Factor’ Deters Residential Conversions in Boston
Boston is at a critical juncture as it faces a growing housing shortage alongside an abundance of underutilized office space. But the scale of conversions here has, so far, been underwhelming.
Architecture Grapples with the AI Question
Time is money in design and development. Is artificial intelligence the wonder drug for commercial projects in a costly market like Massachusetts?
Watertown Mall Redevelopment Approved After Office-Housing Swap
A 1.2 million-square-foot makeover will replace the bulk of the Watertown Mall property with life science buildings and multifamily housing after a major biotech developer dropped plans for an office building.
Hot Property: One Boston Wharf
Turner Construction topped off framing of WS Development’s new One Boston Wharf office tower in the Seaport District, which will include the 700-seat Seaport Performing Arts Center.
Wu Offers Big Tax Breaks for Housing Conversions
Owners of downtown Boston office buildings will get a chance to receive tax breaks for residential conversions, provided that the projects meet the city’s affordability and clean energy goals.
Future-Proofing for a Fast-Changing Built Environment
Jared Krieger is settling into his new role co-leading the 200-employee office of architects Gensler as the architectural firm expands its physical footprint and returns to a more robust in-office work environment.
Scape Brings New Wrinkles to Residential Projects
When Scape began planning its first residential development in Boston, the city was already grappling with a significant housing shortage. Four years and a pandemic later, that project, “The Bon,” recently opened to prospective tenants.
$100M Makeover Due for International Place
One of Boston’s signature office properties is getting a makeover as a large tenant prepares to depart for another Financial District tower next year.
Brickbottom Lab Project Gets First Tenant
The first life science development in Somerville’s Brickbottom neighborhood has secured an initial tenant in a California biopharma company.
Seize the Moment for Office-to-Residential Conversions
With the discount end of the office market shuddering, it’s time for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Gov. Charlie Baker to be as aggressive as possible in encouraging office-to-housing conversions downtown.
Decision Time for Boston’s Office Landlords
As remote and hybrid work entrench themselves, Boston’s class B office market looks like potentially fertile ground for conversion into thousands of new housing units.
New Lab Building Could Be Pioneer in Brickbottom Growth
Somerville’s Brickbottom is joining the ranks of local neighborhoods shedding their industrial pasts to accommodate life science expansion, spurring redevelopment of two warehouses as a new 200,000-square-foot lab complex.
Hot Property: High Street Place
Chef and restaurateur Tiffani Faison headlines the list of 20 inaugural vendors at the new High Street Place food hall scheduled to open March 2.
Alexandria Unveils Master Plan for Watertown Mall Redevelopment
Alexandria Real Estate Equities has unveiled its redevelopment plans for the Watertown Mall property, including three new life science buildings totaling 500,000 square feet.
Can Lexington Have It Both Ways?
After offering an incentive to lab developers by raising building heights, the town of Lexington is challenging them to deliver buildings equipped with some of the suburbs’ most energy-efficient building systems.
Hot Property: PUMA North America HQ
Athletic gear manufacturer PUMA has opened its new headquarters at Somerville’s Assembly Row, consolidating local operations previously based at 33 Arch St. in Boston and 10 Lyberty Way in Westford.
