0 Innovation District gets Smart Parking Sensors, Time to Destination Signs

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Wil Catlin

Credit: innovationdistrict.org

How smart is your parking space? Well in the Innovation district and Boston Seaport are stepping it up a few notches with a real-time data app from www.streetline.com. Imagine knowing where to go for the nearest spot and no longer circling the block, it’s here in our city!

Banker & Tradesman posted a report on the traffic installations in the Innovation District:

The technology is designed to help manage traffic congestion in the downtown neighborhood. The smart parking sensors and time to destination signs will provide drivers with constantly updated information on available, on-street parking spaces as well as the quickest route to take out of the Innovation District to the highway system during the evening commute. Drivers may begin taking advantage of this new technology on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

The full B&T articles is available on their website.

Alternatively, follow this link to view available office space in the Innovation District

0 International Place to Host Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Wil Catlin

Boston Ballet putting on a performance of The Nutcracker

Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Call me old fashioned, but I love group gatherings and large-scale events, like the Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. I am always thankful that owners like the The Chiofaro Co. of International Place host festive, public events for all to come and appreciate.

Additional coverage is available on the Boston Business Journal.

Also, on newscast in recent days, there was a great flash mob event by the United States Air Force Band at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington:

0 Boston Takes 3rd on List of Top Global Office Markets

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Wil Catlin

Credit: World Property Channel

Boston commercial office rents are expected to continue upward at an annual rate in excess of 10-percent through 2015. This puts Boston third on the international stage, behind Jakarta then Dublin.

According to a report on the World Property Channel forecasting global office market growth, “in the Americas, technology and energy continue to be main drivers for the U.S. real estate recovery, with Boston forecast for 22 percent increase in prime asking rents.”

The complete article is available on the WPC website: Top 10 Global Office Markets (Forecasted)

0 MBTA Announces Late-night Service in 2014

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Boston Globe

Boston is no longer comprised of 9 – 5 workers. Our city has evolved to a 24-hour workforce and our infrastructure and services need to play catchup. Great news for all those getting off work after midnight: starting in 2014, the MBTA will run late-night weekend train and bus service.

From The Boston Globe:

the T will run all subway trains and the 15 most popular bus routes until 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Yes, the T is still cash-strapped, and the state budget remains tight, but Governor Deval Patrick has found about $20 million, along with pledges from corporate sponsors, to launch a one-year pilot program to begin in March or April.

The full Globe article on the upcoming late-night MBTA sevice is available, here.

0 TD Garden Project Awaits Resolution

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Boston Business Journal

The changing of the guard may have already begun in the corner office at city hall. It will be interesting to see the outcome of the vote on December 19th by the BRA on a 1.8-million square-foot project around the TD Garden.

According to the Boston Business Journal, “Menino has bristled at suggestions from mayor-elect Walsh and former mayoral candidate John Connolly that the BRA lacks transparency. But the administration’s unwillingness to talk about the negotiations or even allow members of the mayor-appointed Boston Garden Impact Advisory Group participate in the talks has raised questions about what is happening behind closed doors.”

Additional information on the ‘compromise’ is available on the BBJ’s website.

0 What Tenants Look for in a Building

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Wil Catlin

Each tenants’ specific requirements will vary: some want Starbucks, while other want Dunkin’ Donuts. The consistent component is area amenities, solid infrastructure, and easy access.

Banker & Tradesman takes a look at the factors that are driving tenant sentiment towards a property, noting, “clearly, cost comes strongly into play, but the financials are often very competitive. The decision may thus be swayed by the physical attributes of one location versus another. How can older or “dated” looking buildings be repositioned for maximum appeal? What are savvy landlords doing to their buildings to attract and retain good-credit tenants?”

B&T outlines a full list of attributes that factor into tenant satisfaction, including amenities, aesthetics, and sustainability. The article is available on the Banker & Tradesman website.