BOSTON — Lendlease (ASX: LLC) announced progress on two new restaurant leases at Clippership Wharf, a climate-resilient, mixed-use residential development in East Boston.
Interior construction on Cafe Iterum is underway in preparation for a November opening. In addition, The Smoke Shop, an award-winning barbecue restaurant, recently signed a lease at the mixed-use community, where it plans to open its fifth full-service location next year.
“The art installations, recreational facilities and other incredible public amenities that activate the Clippership Wharf site make it an energetic destination for the people of Boston,” said Nicholas Iselin, general manager of development in Boston at Lendlease. “We’re excited for these two dining concepts to enhance the sense of community we’ve created at this dynamic waterfront development.”
Spearheaded by renowned Boston chef Matt McPherson, Cafe Iterum will serve its refined coffee and modern American cuisine to morning commuters, telecommuters, East Boston residents and visitors alike. The 1,100-square-foot dining space has an industrial-inspired look with a mix of concrete and metal finishes, supplemented by clean woods, abundant plants and large windows to warm up the space. A 1,400-square-foot patio offers additional seating, including options adjacent to outdoor fire pits.
“I was drawn to East Boston for Cafe Iterum because it is filled with people who are truly invested in this community and want to see it do well,” said McPherson. “And as Clippership Wharf shares our sustainability mindset, it was only natural to launch the concept here.”
Aiming to be a zero-waste, sustainable café intent on improving the food system, Cafe Iterum has partnered with Eastie Farm to responsibly source local food. This aligns with Lendlease’s climate-resilient efforts at Clippership Wharf, including the creation of a living shoreline and installation of a flood barrier system.
McPherson worked with architecture and design studio Pink Projects, led by Ryan Pinkham, to design the interiors of the café. Graphic designer Joshua Duttweiler designed the café’s branding.
Led by chef, owner and pitmaster Andy Husbands, The Smoke Shop will expand its existing Boston-area footprint with its new location at Clippership Wharf. Offering award-winning BBQ paired with New England’s largest American whiskey collection, the location is scheduled to welcome guests by summer 2022.
“The Smoke Shop has always attracted a wide spectrum of people – it’s not uncommon to see one customer in shorts and flip-flops eating next to someone else in a suit,” said Husbands. “That’s why Eastie made sense for our next location, as it aligns with the high-energy vibes and diverse crowds inside our restaurants.”
With over 4,000 square feet of space, The Smoke Shop will offer full-service dining, takeout and catering options. Three separate outdoor patios add an additional 2,000 square feet of dining space. The space is being designed by Sousa Design Architects, the firm behind the restaurant’s existing locations.
Developed and constructed by Lendlease, Clippership Wharf occupies a 7-acre site overlooking Boston Harbor and includes 284 apartments and 194 condominiums. Public amenities at Clippership Wharf include the ClipArt Gallery which is curated and managed by Atlantic Works Gallery, an East Boston artist collection that rotates art throughout the year, a 1,400-foot stretch of Boston’s 40-mile Harborwalk, an amphitheater, public art, a dog park, and seasonal kayaking and boating activities.
The community’s living shoreline makes use of natural plantings, salt marshes, rocky beaches and wildlife habitats to improve the site’s climate resilience. Other sustainability features at Clippership Wharf – which has achieved LEED Silver certification for neighborhood development – include a rooftop solar array that can generate enough energy to power up to 40 homes per year.
