By Beth Treffeisen
With a slim crowd in attendance, the developers behind the proposed six-story, luxury residential complex that is slated to go in at One Newcomb Street in the South End, showed off their plans for creating an infill building in an otherwise forgotten space.
A public meeting hosted by the Boston Planning and Development (BPDA) was held at Northeastern Crossing, with little opposition to the proposed complex that will be called One Newcomb Place.
The project includes construction of a 62-foot residential development totaling about 24,655 square feet. The proposed project will have 23 rental units including three affordable units.
“It was a vacant lot behind 1902 -1904 Washington Street building and Newcomb Street was a collection of bad elements,” said architect Monte French from Francke French Architects. “We want to help the neighborhood.”
The only concern was the lack of green space surrounding the building. The developers said that after talking to the abutters they took out initial plans of putting balconies and a roof garden. The abutters had concerns of privacy due to the tight corridors and noise.
The site is about 4,127 square feet in size and once developed will create an infill building situated between 1900 and 1902 – 1904 Washington Street and 11 Newcomb Street. This parcel along with the abutting buildings are owned by 11 Newcomb Street, LLC and managed by the Boston Real Estate Collaborative LLC (BREC).
There will be nine one-bedrooms that are micro-units between 425 square feet and 478 square feet that at market rate will rent for $1,800 per month. There will be six two bedrooms from 560 square feet to 758 square feet that will rent for about $2,400 per month and six three bedrooms between 940 square feet to 980 square feet that will rent from $3,000 and up.
Lastly, there will two three-bedroom duplexes from 1,465 square feet to 1,475 square feet that will rent for $3,600 per month.
There will be no parking included on site, however, since the developers own the abutting parcel at 11 Newcomb Street a shared lot that can accommodate up to 20 cars will be used for both of the buildings. Once complete, the total number of units sharing the parking lot will be 37.
“Of the fourteen spaces that are there now, only five spaces are rented out,” said Joe Digangi from Urban Core Development. “There is not a strong demand for parking here.”
Urban Core Development, LLC (UCD) in partnership with BREC has also worked on restoring the Emmanuel Memorial House located at 11 Newcomb Street, which is a four-story Georgian Revival inspired brick and limestone building built in 1905.
Over a course of 18 months, they worked to re-develop the largely office and classroom use building into a 14-unit apartment building.
In addition, BREC along with UCD worked to redevelop 1902 – 1904 Washington Street. The building was abandoned for more than 15 years and was beyond repair. A fire had forced the top story to be removed some 30 years ago and much of the internal structure was compromised.
The Washington Street building is now made up of nine residential units and one commercial space.
“The roof was burnt off and very dilapidated,” said French. “It is a very ornate building and the infill will be more quiet but not mimic what is there and at the same time not take away from the historic building.”
This team is also behind the construction of 1065 Tremont St. Phase I. The second phase recently gained approval from the BPDA on April 13.
“It’s just forgotten,” said Digangi. “There really just a few buildings you can do anything with on this side of Northeastern that is on the border of the South End and Dudley Square – with urban renewal in-between you have nothing.”
He continued, “We are trying to create that link between the neighborhoods.”
The developers anticipate construction to start in October or November and hope to get the building opened about a year and half later.