0 Downtown Crossing Poised for Another Triumph

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Bisnow

This is not the first period of growth or transformation for DTX, also known as Downtown Crossing. In 1979, Washington Street was made into a pedestrian-only roadway following the success of Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This resulted in a modest decline following the popularity of the vending cart program.

The fate of the neighborhood, now, seems set for a steep incline:

Bisnow states, “$210M Millennium Place mixed-use residential project that opened Q2 last year tested how housing would fare in the heart of this commercial neighborhood. All of its 256 condos sold by year-end priced from $550k to $3.5M. As one of the first Boston condo developments to be completed since the recession, it showed that buyers would put down stakes in the CBD, permanently changing the character of the historic neighborhood.”

A more detailed history on Downtown Crossing is available in the Bisnow article.

0 Needham’s Real Estate Market Slowing

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Pinterest

There is a growing concern amongst residential realtors that the real estate market in Needham is slowing down. Will this have a direct impact on office space throughout Needham and slow the growth for commercial real estate development in the area?

Wicked Local pointed to three key indicators of this trend:

The first clue is that days on market fell from an average of 59 days in February to a mere 24 days in April. But so far in May that number has crept up to 39. Houses appear to be sitting a bit longer.

The second clue is that the number of houses that have gone under agreement fell from 38 in March to 32 in April. So far this month the number is 13. Though we are only halfway through the month, even if you double that figure to 26, it still shows a downward trend.
Continue reading →

0 Newton Office Vacancies Continue to Decline

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Wil Catlin

Credit: ilovenewton.com

More vacancy is being absorbed in the Newton Office market as a growing pharmaceutical company is preparing to move into the area from its current location on Mercer Road in Natick.

According to Wicked Local, “the company currently has about 8,000 square feet of space while the Newton location, on Wells Avenue near the Needham line, has about 30,000 square feet of space…Its new landlord is willing to help with improvements to the building and the rent, at $30 per year per square foot, is cheaper than properties in Cambridge which could cost more than twice as much.”

Additional details on the company’s move to Newton, jump over to the complete article on Newton.Wickedlocal.com.

0 Wells Avenue Development Debated

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Wil Catlin

Talks of a development taking place in Wells Avenue are underway, as city officials and zoning board of appeal members begin to dissect the development and its impact on the surrounding the area. The development is said to fit nicely into the proposed Needham Street redevelopment plan. As jobs follow younger, educated workers these days, the hope for the project is to give these millennial’s quick and easy access to work, shopping, and restaurants. The Needham and Newton office markets will see a direct impact upon the completion of this development. It does, however, seem like there will be significant time required before either side of the table will move towards a decision.

The Newton, MA vertical of WickedLocal offered commentary on the proposed mixed-use development on Wells Avenue from architect Doug Carr of Cube 3 Studio, who “described the development as “pedestrian-focused.” Carr said it would be six stories high and built around three exterior courtyards, contain 334 pet-friendly residential units, have a café and restaurant, “work bar,” convenience store, swimming pool, bike storage, and even a bike repair shop.”