Boston planning officials approved a new hybrid building prototype in Boston’s Newmarket district and $200,000 that Harvard University will donate to local organizations as community benefits associated with its institutional projects in Allston.
Boston Planning and Development Agency officials selected a team led by developer Urbanica to redevelop the publicly-owned parcel 8 in Nubian Square and approved plans for 688 income-restricted housing units, including the first phase of the Mildred Hailey Apartments redevelopment in Jamaica Plain.
Developers are meeting projections of rising Boston Harbor sea levels and a big construction challenge with two houseboat-like multifamily designs and a third boasting an expansive rooftop park.
Three diverse development teams are seeking to build mixed-use projects in Roxbury’s Nubian Square, including proposals that include a public market, 14-story mass timber tower and sustainable designs that reduce urban heat island effects.
Construction of the first hotel built in Roxbury since the mid-20th century is expected to begin this spring, with Boston-based developer Urbanica choosing Colwen Hotels to run the 135-room Melnea Hotel.
