BOSTON –EDENS, one of the nation’s leading retail real estate developers, last week broke ground on a new mixed use project adjacent to its South Bay retail development at 101 Allstate Road in Dorchester, MA.
EDENS CEO Jodie W. McLean was joined by Boston’s Mayor Martin J. Walsh, City Councilor Frank Baker and (other elected officials) to mark the occasion. Construction partner Lee Kennedy and Co., local union leaders, along with representatives from surrounding neighborhood associations were on site.
The groundbreaking marks the start of transforming vacant industrial property and an active concrete plant into a vibrant, dynamic mixed use destination including upgrades to the existing South Bay shopping center.
“I want to thank EDENS for investing in Dorchester, and for being a great partner to the City and its residents,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “This project will bring a new vibrancy and energy to a once-vacant area in South Bay, and the benefits will not only be felt in Dorchester, but all across the City as people flock to this new destination. This project serves as a great example of the type of mixed-use and transit-oriented development that we are looking to bring to all corners of our city.”
EDENS, drawing from its fifty years of experience in crafting community gathering places across the country, will develop 160,000 sf of retail with an exciting mix of restaurants and shops, a 12-screen luxury AMC Theatre with IMAX, a flagship Wahlburgers, and a 130-room hotel for Dorchester and the greater Boston area.
“EDENS mission is to enrich communities. By creating engaging retail centers through inspired design and a mix of national and local operators, we can impact the lives of those who interact with our places. When we see residents of the neighborhood embrace them, turn them into a key part of their lives and make them a meaningful destination for the community – we have succeeded in our mission,” said Jodie W. McLean, CEO of EDENS. “Already a destination for local residents and the greater Boston region, South Bay’s new retail, new partners and new design will elevate the community’s experience and ensure its success for many years to come.”
The development also includes 475 new housing units, offering a mix of studio to three bedrooms. The new residences, including over 60 affordable apartments, are all within close proximity to two MBTA stops and I-93 and will include amenities such as roof decks, a pool with cabanas & grilling areas, fitness facilities, and more.
EDENS exemplifies its commitment to enriching communities through the planned substantial investment to neighborhood infrastructure improvements and community benefits as part of the new South Bay development. In addition to partnering with local authorities to make significant traffic improvements for the community, EDENS will provide expanded shuttle services and create a series of landscape improvements, a pedestrian main street and welcoming outdoor gathering spaces.
EDENS develops, owns and operates community shopping centers in primary markets across the country. Focusing on innovative development and redevelopment together with key acquisitions in urban areas, the company has built an institutional-quality portfolio of more than 130 retail centers. EDENS has regional headquarters in Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston and Columbia, SC.
