Back in the day – even in the 1990s when South Boston Online first began publishing – West Broadway was known as “Big” Broadway by those who were born and brought up here. But it fell upon hard times; now it’s back and it’s “big” once again. That is particularly true on the even-numbered side of West Broadway, across from the West Broadway Housing, which still looks new and well cared for. This is an update on new residences – only those proposed or under construction. (Discussing already occupied new residences and all the new shops, offices, and restaurants along West Broadway would take another two or three articles.)
When walking up the left side of West Broadway from Broadway Station, the first and largest area being developed is at the intersection with B Street, in front of the huge gray completed structure on B that now has units advertised for sale. Demolition is complete and excavation has begun on three new projects at that corner, totaling 62 residential units and a couple of street level commercial/restaurant spaces. The construction extends from 150 to 170 West Broadway, with the project in the middle facing out from 135 Athens St.
A block further on, there is a vacant lot (Christmas trees were once sold there), which extends from 206 to 212 West Broadway. That’s the site of an affordable housing project called “206 West” by the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation and Caritas Communities, Inc., featuring 16 units that are “affordable, transit-oriented” (no cars), along with a coffee shop at street level that will likely be occupied by a branch of Cranberry Café. Permits are in place and completion is slated for 2017.
St. George, an Albanian Orthodox Church, was sited at 410 West Broadway until it was destroyed by fire. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but it left a space once occupied by a striking building. The project on this site is at the proposal stage; the Boston Redevelopment Authority has held a so-called Article 80 community meeting locally. While entitled “mixed use,” this project is mostly condos (24) and parking spaces (28). One commercial/retail space is planned at street level.
At 480-482 West Broadway on the northwest corner of Perkins Square, Adams & Morancy, P.C. is proposing a five-story building with 18 condos, 21 parking slots and street level commercial space. It will extend from Santander Bank around the corner to STATS. Perkins Supply, Schubert’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, and the parking lot next to STATS will be displaced. This project just underwent a BRA Article 80 community meeting; the architect’s drawing featured a novel design. Schubert’s and Dunkin’ Donut’s form a key Perkins Square gathering point, so we hope they both can find another location convenient to Perkins Square.
These projects total nearly 100 new residences, plus a half-dozen dining/retail/commercial establishments. Welcome to the newly restored “Big” Broadway.
The existing Perkins Square corner (from left: Perkins Supply, Schubert’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, a small parking lot) where the proposed 480-482 West Broadway project will be built.
