0 Copley Place Renovations Begin this Month

Posted on September 6, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Credit: BBJ

More construction is headed to Back Bay’s Copley Square with Simon’s upgrade of their Copley Place.

The BBJ notes, “the renovations will include physical upgrades such as new flooring and ceiling treatments, upgraded escalators and glass handrails and an upscale food court component.” Expected to wrap up next summer, “the interior retail work is a part of Simon’s $500 million, 1.96 million-square-foot expansion of Copley Place, which includes a new 52-story, 542-unit residential tower that’s currently under construction. The Boston Redevelopment Authority in May approved an updated affordable housing agreement for the project, as well as a redrawn boundary agreement that now prevents facades from encroaching outside the project site.”

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

0 Copley Place Upgrades Planned

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Bisnow

Copley Square is going to see some major upgrade to Copley Place. Simon Properties in planning major interior and exterior upgrades with completion in the Summer of ’16.

Bisnow is reporting that, “come September, Copley Place begins both interior and exterior upgrades. Simon Malls president David Contis says the high-end shopping destination will have a more modern and cohesive look. Simon expects to add a number of luxury retailers. Copley Place will remain open during renovations, with the majority of the project expected to be completed by summer 2016.”

You can read the original post, here.

0 Upgrades Scheduled for Newly Privatized MBTA Station in Back Bay

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Back Bay Station is the 3rd Boston transit hub that has been turned over to the private sector and has some significant deferred maintenance. Boston Properties is doing its part to help bridge the gap.

Credit: Boston Globe

From The Boston Globe:

Just months after signing a $32 million deal to have the real estate giant Boston Properties upgrade the station, the Department of Transportation has agreed to cover six-figure shortfalls in rent from vendors and pay potentially big sums for structural repairs.

The agreement, signed in the closing weeks of the administration of Deval Patrick, calls for Boston Properties to manage the building and renovate the station — installing a new glass facade and windows, updating turnstiles and waiting areas, and bringing in new retail tenants.

In exchange, the company gets the right to build a tower above the station, which opened in 1987.

0 500 Boylston and 222 Berkeley Sold for $1.3B

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Credit: BBJ

Equity Office continues to shed Boston Class A towers with the announcement or the $1.3B sale of 500 Boylston and 222 Berkeley Streets to a partnership between JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Oxford Properties Group.

From the Boston Business Journal:

The two office buildings at 500 Boylston St. and 222 Berkeley St. take up the same square block in the Back Bay, one block up from Copley Square. 222 Berkeley is a 22-story office and retail complex, and 500 Boylston is a 25-story, 1.3 million-square-foot office.

500 Boylston Street is a 760,000 square foot 25 story tower with a typical floor size of 28,275 square feet.

222 Berkeley Street is a 524,195 square foot 22 story tower with a typical floor size of 51,655 square feet.

0 Under Armour Mega Store Plotted for Newbury Street and Patriot Place

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Credit: BBJ

Under Armour is looking to make a statement on Newbury Street in Back Bay with a 30,000 square foot store front. The company is planning to grow its US footprint from 125 to 225 stores within the next year.

From the BBJ:

Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, speaking at the Boston College Chief Executives Club luncheon at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, said the company would look at opening a Newbury Street store as well as one at Patriot Place in Foxborough.

“The world deserves experiences and it’s our job to give it to them,” said Plank.

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 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 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 Startup moves from Cambridge to Newbury Street to Expand Workforce

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Bridj is on the move and parked on Newbury Street. 283/285 Newbury Street offered an experience that aligned well with vision of Matt George, Bridj founder and CEO. Off street parking, roof deck and 3 floors of creative space.

Credit: BBJ

Bridj has elected to share this experience through Pivotdesk, have a look and see if it works for your growing team.

From the Boston Business Journal:

The company moved out of a co-working space at the Cambridge Innovation Center into a 5,400-square-foot space at 283 Newbury St. in Boston earlier this year.

“We were outgrowing the CIC and while co-working spaces are great and they have lots of benefits and amenities, it’s really hard to start building your own culture (there),” said Ryan Kelly, Bridj’s marketing manager.

0 Multiple Projects from Boston Properties Progressing

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Wil Catlin

Credit: Boston Herald

Boston Properties is bullish on Boston with projects underway or proposed from Back Bay, Financial District and North Station.

· 888 Boylston has seen the crane arrive and has announced is major tenant Natixis Global Asset Management
· 100 Federal Street is looking to add more retail on the Congress Street side of the project

From the Boston Herald:

“In 2015, we estimate we could move approximately $1 billion in pre-development projects into our active development pipeline,” CEO Owen Thomas said. “Before launching any of these projects, we need to complete the entitlement and planning process and, in most cases, some level of pre-leasing.”