BPDA Approves First Phase Of 4M SF South Boston Redevelopment

The Boston Planning & Development Agency approved a major redevelopment project that would transform a portion of Dorchester Avenue.

Core Investments' first phase of its 3.8M SF On The Dot development was approved at the BPDA's monthly board of directors meeting on Thursday, the Boston Globe first reported. The project will redevelop a 21-acre stretch of industrial land in South Boston near the Andrew Square MBTA station. 

The 1.4M SF first phase would include three life sciences/office buildings and two residential buildings, including 237 market-rate units and 94 units of senior housing. The buildings would be located at 505 Dorchester Ave., 65 Ellery St. and 75 Ellery St.

The entire project is planned to bring 1,450 residential units, office, lab and retail space across 11 buildings. The project would also include 2.9 acres of open space. Of the new units in the project, 17% will be income-restricted.

Also on Thursday, the BPDA approved the largest office-to-residential conversion proposed in the city. KS Partners plans to convert offices in three connected buildings at 85 Devonshire St. and 258-262 Washington St. into 95 apartments, 19 of which will be income-restricted. The development is estimated to cost $36M.

Additionally, Related Beal and Dream Development were given tentative designation over the Boston Water and Sewer Commission parking lots in Roxbury. The proposed project includes 402 apartments, 330 of which would be affordable, and it is estimated to cost around $254M.

The team beat out a competing bid from a development team consisting of Madison Park Development Corp., JGE Enterprises and Beacon Communities.