0 Tech Startup Progresses Architectural Renderings

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Wil Catlin

iphone app for architects and real estate developers

Credit: BBJ

What will it look like? That’s the question so many property owners and developers face when first envisioning a renovation, and thanks to Terrence Masson of Building Conversation, we will soon be able to get a much clearer idea. The company will allow architects and others to visualized a proposed building within the context of its surroundings.

“It does that through the camera of an iPad or iPhone which acts as a “window,” on top of which architectural design proposals are overlaid. This technology is known as augmented reality, which offers users a live view of a real-world environment combined with elements that are computer-generated,” according to a Bizjournals.com posting.

“In effect, you get to see and walk around a full-scale hologram of the proposed architecture through the iPad,” said Building Conversation’s CEO Terrence Masson, who founded the company with George Thrush, the director of the School of Architecture at Northeastern University…Masson started working on the technology as part of a Capstone project at Northeastern about three years ago.

You can read the full article on BizJournals.

0 Overhaul of Prudential Center Food Court Presents Lunchtime Void

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Wil Catlin

food court at the prudential center in Back bay

Credit: The Boston Globe

For 22 years the food court at the Pru has been a Back Bay mainstay, come June 30th it will be a memory. Boston Properties despite their lack of comment have a clear vision for their customers and execute flawlessly. Rest assured, lunch will be served again, just be patient while our city continues to change.

From the Boston Globe:

The food court at the Shops at the Prudential is scheduled to close at the end of June, and its replacement, a massive Eataly marketplace, won’t open for more than a year…Some applaud the decision to open an Eataly, which hopes to draw 5 million customers a year, in the space in September 2016. At least until the marketplace opens, the lunch-scene void is an opportunity for other businesses, said Ani Collum, a partner at the Norwell consultancy Retail Concepts…Collum said food trucks and other mobile vendors should set up near the Pru to cash in because time-strapped workers may not have a long enough break to eat at a restaurant. Nearby establishments would also be smart to offer to deliver to the office buildings, she said.

0 BXBS of Massachusetts Moves to 101 Huntington Ave

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Boston Business Journal

Gone are the tall private cubes, now, contemporary office space is much more open and collaborative with bright colors. Healthcare in particular has gone through a tremendous transformation over the year. One of the most visible changes is how they use their office space. BXBS is showing off their new headquarters at 101 Huntington Avenue owner by Boston Properties.

According to a post on the BBJ, accompanying a slideshow of the new Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts HQ, the new space “takes up the 11th through the 20th floors of the building, with the exception of the utility floor on the 14th floor. The new space is 60,000 square feet smaller than its previous space — clocking in at 308,000 square feet and will save the insurer $2 million annually…The space has also been renovated to have the signature white and blue color scheme throughout. The color scheme mixed with bright LED lights give the headquarters a futuristic feel.”

Follow the link to view the BBJ’s full office slideshow.

Related Real Estate Listings
Fenway office space for lease
Back Bay office space

0 745 Atlantic Ave. Purchased by Oxford Properties for $114.5M

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Office building at 745 Atlantic avenue in downtown Boston

Credit: BBJ

Oxford Properties continues its buying spree by plunking down $114.5 million for 745 Atlantic Avenue or $657 per square foot. 745 Atlantic Avenue is home to WeWork and Dain Torphy as well as a number of companies. WeWork will be building out a Café on the 1st floor as part of their future expansion.

From the BBJ:

“It really fits our profile of what we like to buy for the long-term: Class A assets in downtown cores near transit-oriented locations,” said Chad Remis, the head of Oxford Properties’ Boston office.

Its $114.5 million acquisition of 745 Atlantic, which closed May 29, is more than double the $54.65 million sale price 745 Atlantic fetched in 2003. The property sold again in 2008 as part of a $1.7 billion office property acquisition invovlingBeacon Capital Partners and Charter Hall Office REIT of Sydney, Australia.

You can read the full article on the Boston Business Journal website.

0 Courtyard Development Planned at 500 Boylston

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Not only is 500 Boylston Street on the market, it’s looking to grow as well by 77,300 square feet. This would include up to 3 floors of retail and create a lobby with a gathering place with open seating.

Credit: Boston Herald

From the Boston Herald:

“The project will improve the pedestrian experience along Boylston Street by filling in an underused courtyard,” said Equity Office Properties in a BRA filing. “(It) will activate the sidewalks and street edge on Boylston Street, and will improve the retail experience.

The new building would house 79,300 square feet of retail and office space, and would replace a recessed courtyard off Boylston Street…Instead of the courtyard, developers say a lobby will serve as a gathering place, with seating and potentially a fireplace.

0 Two Office Buildings in Back Bay Listed for $1.5 billion

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Boylston Street commercial real estate Back Bay

Credit: Boston Globe

The Boston commercial real estate market continues northward with no signs of letting up. 222 Berkeley Street and 500 Boylston Street are set move in a record trade at over $1,150 per square foot.

From the Boston Globe:

The buildings total about 1.3 million square feet in size. A sale for $1.5 billion would put the price at nearly $1,150 per square foot, far higher than the selling prices of other commercial properties in Boston’s key business districts, which rarely top $700 per square foot…The Back Bay buildings are owned by a Blackstone subsidiary, Equity Office Properties, and share an underground parking garage. They are near the Public Garden, the Orange Line and commuter rail trains at Back Bay Station, and dozens of high-end retail shops.

0 Government Center Poised for Modernization

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Credit: B&T

Government Center is an area in downtown Boston, bounded by Cambridge, Court, Congress, and New Sudbury Streets. Center Plaza sits on the gateway and the new owners are poised to make a splash with their vision.

From Banker&Tradesman:

“The plans are going to be a very noticeable level of improvement on the retail arcade,” [said Kevin Kuzemchak, senior vice president for Shorenstein.] “We want to take what is now a fairly dark monotonous experience and add new lighting and storefronts where we can, signage, and hopefully install High Line-esque landscaping to the entire arcade and break it up into different zones.” Office lobbies will be expanded and moved closer to Cambridge Street.

Related Office Listings:
Government Center Office Space

0 Luke’s Lobster Opening in Back Bay

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Wil Catlin

A new food option is coming to Back Bay on Exeter Street. Look out Downtown, Back Bay has it: Luke’s Lobster!

From Bostinno:

Luke’s Lobster will be opening at 75 Exeter Street, at the base of the Avalon Communities. The new outpost will be a casual seafood shack – similar to its other locations in NYC, Philadelphia, DC, and Chicago. The menu will focus on fresh lobster, crab and shrimp rolls, along with a selection of chowders and bisques…The seafood shack is known for sourcing all of their lobster from Maine and, in addition to their affordable $16 lobster rolls, the restaurant also offers a tasty lobster grilled cheese sandwich for only $12.

0 Boston Office Designers Discuss their Craft

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Credit: BostInno

How does a designer think about crafting that cool, creative new office space that will foster innovative ideas? Well, have a look into the thought process of three of Boston’s best at Bostinno:

• Nina Chase is a landscape architect at Sasaki Associates.

• Haril Pandya is a principal at CBT Architects.

• Michael LeBlanc is a principal at Utile Inc.

0 Marine Industrial Park, Copley Place Developments Gain Approval

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Our city’s developers continue to expand available options for office, retail and housing. Locations range from:

·         Simon’s Copley Place in Back Bay
·         Skanska’s Parcel Q-1 in the Seaport
·         Residential project at 14 West Broadway in South Boston
·         Residential project on East 5th in South Boston
·         The Jewish Community Housing in Brighton

Credit: Boston Redevelopment Authority

The BBJ reports “the Boston Redevelopment Authority has granted approval to 177,845 square feet of development across the city, totaling $65.8 million in new development costs and including 129 residential units in South Boston and Brighton…In addition to the three new development projects it approved, the BRA authorized revisions to two projects, including the $500 million, 542-unit residential and retail expansion in Copley Place.”

We are in the midst of the largest transformation of our city since the ’70’s.