BOSTON–The residences at The Benjamin and VIA, part of the $600 million One Seaport development, are now open.
One Seaport is the largest mixed-use project in the City of Boston in over 30 years. Its two towers are situated on three acres of land in the heart of the Seaport District and span 1.5 million square feet. In total, The Benjamin and VIA encompass 832 modern apartment homes atop three floors of extraordinary shopping, dining and entertainment venues.
Berkshire Group partnered with Boston Global Investors to own and develop the residences at The Benjamin and VIA. WS Development develops, owns, and manages One Seaport’s retail component.
The Benjamin and VIA are one of Boston’s most high profile developments and are cornerstones of the Seaport District, where over 20 blocks of world-class retail, office, and residential space are coming to life.
“Since opening our doors, it has been a pleasure to see our residents enjoying Boston at its very best. Whether it is the exceptional design, amenities and views of The Benjamin and VIA, or the Seaport’s ever transforming streetscape, it is nice to see the buildings finally come to life. Every time I am at the property, I can feel the excitement for the next phase of the development — the retail openings. We already have some amazing restaurants in the Seaport; the additional shopping and dining opportunities will tremendously change the dynamic of the area and truly contribute to the live-work-play aspect our residents desire,” says Heather Boujoulian, Senior Vice President, Head of Multifamily Development Investments, Berkshire Group.
The Benjamin and VIA, standing at 22 and 20 stories respectively, were both designed by the award-winning, Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects. The towers boast contemporary design expression in metal and glass with a state of the art unitized curtain wall system, a dynamic architecture for Boston’s newest neighborhood. The project was designed for LEED Silver Certification, and includes over one acre of landscaped courtyards.
Courthouse Square, a new 17,000 square foot open space, is nestled between the buildings. It serves as a key pedestrian link between Seaport Boulevard and Northern Avenue.
Residents of The Benjamin and VIA have direct access to downtown Boston as well as to the I-93 and I-90 interchange. Courthouse Station on the Silver Line is adjacent to the towers, while Logan Airport and South Station are in close proximity. The Rose F. Kennedy Greenway and Financial District are less than a quarter of a mile away.
All apartments in The Benjamin and VIA are for lease only, allowing residents the freedom of flexible, mobile lifestyles. Each tower has a distinct personality, providing a wide range of living options. Further details are below.
The Benjamin
Standing at 22-stories, The Benjamin elevates luxury living in Boston by offering 354 distinctive apartments, 308 of which range from studios to penthouse suites. To create a socially expansive and diverse community, The Benjamin includes 46 units, from studios to three-bedrooms, that meet the City of Boston’s standards for affordable rent.
The first three floors of The Benjamin feature approximately 120,000 square feet of retail curated by WS Development. With plans to offer world-class shopping, dining, and recreation, retail in The Benjamin will include L.L. Bean, Bonobos, Equinox, La Colombe, The C.C. Filson, Scorpion Bar, and The Grand.
Combining the hospitality of a resort with first-class condo living, residents are welcomed into the building’s five-star lobby by a professional door attendant and 24-hour concierge service. Residents can also enter the building and accept guests via The Benjamin’s high-tech, state-of-the-art Butterfly entry system, a cloud-based video intercom that is smart phone compatible. Catering to those who enjoy well-rounded lifestyles, The Benjamin provides ample fitness, culinary, and professional amenities across 8,000 square feet of common space. Residents are privy to a variety of entertainment and relaxation lounges, a catering kitchen, The Map Room, Revive espresso bar, Work business center, and Balance fitness center with yoga and high-tech virtual programming. The Benjamin meets pets needs with an onsite grooming station and play area. Through its Love Unleashed program, The Benjamin also makes quarterly donations to Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell, assisting in the non-profit’s mission to prevent cruelty to animals and provide protection, shelter and healthcare to them.
Maximizing its prime location and dramatic views, The Benjamin has two distinct outdoor terraces on the fourth floor, both overlooking the Seaport. The spacious 12,000 square foot Vista Sundeck and pool boasts a south-facing courtyard with spectacular views of Seaport Boulevard and downtown Boston. Lush landscaping and outdoor grills accent this serene space. On the HoriZen Terrace, which is 11,000 square feet, residents can relax under the custom wood arbor, warm up next to the firetable, or take in the views of Fort Point Channel, Rowes Wharf, and the Boston skyline. Providing a beautiful focal point, Berkshire Group commissioned award-winning blacksmith and artist Matthew Maynard to create a 70-foot wave-like, steel sculpture with undulating curves and textured sea grass.
The Benjamin’s residences feature the best views in the city. Apartments facing West and South overlook the bustle of Seaport Boulevard, Fort Point Channel, and the Blue Hills, while homes facing to the North and East enjoy views of iconic Boston landmarks: Rowes Wharf, The Custom House Tower, and Boston Harbor. Spectacular waterfront events like Sail Boston are held right in The Benjamin’s backyard.
Apartment homes in The Benjamin are elegantly appointed with high-end finishes. Highlights include wood flooring, quartz countertops, under mount sinks, Grohe faucets, modern cabinets, GE and Bosch appliances, spa inspired bath designs, Nest thermostats, custom designed millwork, and recessed, energy efficiency LED lighting.
The penthouse suites in The Benjamin, situated on floors 17 through 22, offer ultra luxurious finishes with breathtaking harbor and city views. Suites range from studios to three-bedroom units and provide maximum privacy with exclusive elevator access to their respective floors. Interior highlights include dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, Nest thermostats, Bosch and GE Profile Collection appliances, induction cooktops, boutique-style custom closet systems, and travertine baths. Select apartments also include private balconies, ranging from 10-40 feet wide. Residents on these exclusive floors have access to the Hello Alfred butler service, which brings together technology and home services to make residents lives simpler by pairing users with a personal home manager who handles all of life’s necessities – from groceries and dry cleaning, to tailoring and sending packages.
In addition to underground parking, and in an effort to place environmentally conscious living at the forefront, The Benjamin has car-charging stations and a host of bicycle amenities, including storage, repair, and bike shares. The Benjamin is smoke-free and is committed to using environmentally safe cleaning supplies.
VIA
VIA is a trend-setting, vibrant building standing at 20 stories with a unique mix of 478 modern apartment homes. 382 apartments are available as studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms; 50 of these units meet the City of Boston’s standards for affordable rent. The Fusion Wing, devoted to chic, minimalist living, has 96 units with innovative studio and one-bedroom floor plans.
The first three floors of VIA, curated by WS Development, span approximately 125,000 square feet of retail space, and features highly original shopping, dining, recreation and entertainment. Confirmed brands in VIA include ShowPlace ICON at Seaport, Mr. Sid, Kings Dining & Entertainment, Tuscan Italian Kitchen and Market, lululemon athletica, Warby Parker, Peter Millar, Luke’s Lobster, Caffé Nero, 75 on Seaport, Seaport Barbers, sweetgreen, and Bank of America.
VIA’s amenities mirror the flexible lifestyle of its residents, who have access to ample common space for work, socializing, and exercise. Highlights include Hush work pods, Linked tech bar, Vibe lounge, Flix living room, and Taste private dining room, as well as Synergy fitness center and Centered yoga + wellness studio, both equipped with high-tech virtual programming.
VIA also has a resident dog, Millie V. The fluffy, adorable and hypo allergenic Wheaton Terrier Puppy further enhances the building’s pet friendly ethos. Through its Love Unleashed program, VIA, like The Benjamin, makes quarterly donations to Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell, assisting in the non-profit’s to prevent cruelty to animals and provide protection, shelter and healthcare to them.
Residents can take in VIA’s scenic views of Fort Point Channel, Boston Harbor, and downtown Boston from the 9,000 square foot AIR Terrace. The outdoor common area features modern stylish furniture, lush greenery, a fire table with fireside seating, a grilling station, and a custom designed granite water feature, creating an urban oasis for all who call VIA home.
VIA apartments provide three distinct finish schemes for their residents to choose from. From warm cream tones, to clean white finishes, there is a palette for everyone. Apartment highlights include open concept living spaces, oversized spa bathrooms, and quartz countertops. Additional finishes include, under mount sinks, Grohe faucets, modern tiling and cabinets, GE stainless appliances, Nest thermostats, and USB charging ports.
The Fusion Wing of VIA harmoniously merges a smaller footprint with upscale amenities. There is the Imagination Think Tank, offering a beautiful work space, marked by a map of the Seaport, a collaboration wall, communal table and soft seating, as well as Vibe Lounge, which is reminiscent of a coffee bar for those seeking a comfortable escape from which to work, relax or play. VIA’s Fusion Wing boasts its own outdoor space with the Vision Terrace, spanning 4,000 square feet and located on the 9th floor. Residents can easily unwind here with city views, chaise lounges and green space.
VIA is located on Fan Pier Boulevard, which has been extended from Northern Avenue to Seaport Boulevard. The extension of the street is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, providing a new vehicular and pedestrian connection to the block.
