Boston’s South End Gets a Facelift

The part of Boston known as the South End has been in the process of transformation for a long time.However, the current wave of change sweeping over the entire South End is threatening to overwhelm city officials and residents as well.Anchored by the reconstruction of the former Boston Herald property, the blocks between Harrison Avenue and Albany Street could soon play host to more than 1,000 new units of housing, dozens of new shops, improved roads, and new roadways and sidewalks.Previously most of this area was made up of large industrial blocks.One development firm has proposed a new Boston Luxury Apartments and retail complex, across the street from the planned redevelopment of the Herald site.When interviewed by the media regarding his views on the latest wave of change engulfing the entire South End, the principal of the aforementioned firm said that the changes to the area are absolutely mind-blowing.At least four major properties are in different stages of development in this area between Chinatown and the South End.The most significant redevelopment out of the entire process is the former Herald block between Harrison and Albany.National Development has announced it will demolish the old two-story newspaper facility and replace it with four new buildings containing 475 apartments and 85,000 square feet of retail space.Around the corner from the Herald site, the previously mentioned developer is considering revising an early building plan and going with an apartment tower and hotel, with ground-floor restaurants and retail shopping outlets replacing what is now parking lots.The president of the development firm previously planned to build two hotels on the site.However, the current housing market would not be able to support the construction of both.As such, the firm is thinking of replacing one of the proposed hotels with a 16-story apartment building.The firm is planning to file a revised proposal with city officials this year, and could begin in early 2013.