BU Grad Students Invite The Community To Gillette Visioning Workshop

Dear Neighbor,

FPNA and the West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) started collaborating with Boston University’s Initiative on Cities in September 2024 to explore alternative ideas for the redevelopment of the 30+ acre P&G Gillette Manufacturing site.

Last fall, students from BU’s Urban Research Methods course (MET UA 703) conducted a study on the existing conditions of the site and surrounding neighborhood.

This spring, students in the Urban Studies Capstone course (MET UA 805) are developing a neighborhood vision plan to help guide community discussions with Gillette.

As part of this effort, FPNA and WBNA are hosting an in-person community workshop where neighbors can share their thoughts on desired amenities and activities on:

Monday, April 7, 2025
6:30pm
CRISPR building
105 West First Street

Feedback from this workshop will directly inform the three proposals the BU Grad Team is preparing.

We encourage all neighbors to attend and contribute to this important discussion. Your input will help shape the future of this significant site!

-FPNA & WBNA

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FPNA Neighborhood Gathering Features Councilor Mejia, Buses, Office Conversions & Neighborhood News

 You are invited to an

In Person

 Neighborhood Gathering

Tuesday, February 27, 2024
6 pm to 8 pm

CRISPR Therapeutics

105 West First Street

featuring

Our C-6 Community Officers

A Conversation with

City Councilor-At-Large Julia Mejia

&

Summer Street Bus Rapid Transit Pilot Update

Matthew Moran, Boston Transportation Dept.

introducing

Office to Residential Conversion Pilot

Did you know Fort Point is part of the pilot?

Reuben Kanter & John Weil, Boston Planning & Development Agency

with

Neighborhood Updates & Discussions

24 Farnsworth, MA Presidential Primary voting location change, Cypher & E St. Improvements, BCEC Beautification, & more.

232 A Street Open House + Listening Session

Tishman Speyer and their life sciences real estate investment firm, Breakthrough Properties, invite you to: 

232 A Street Open House + Listening Session

Saturday, May 13, 2023
105 West 1st Street

10 am - 12 pm

R.S.V.P.

with coffee and pastries from Vester Cafe

In case you missed the BPDA April 12, 2023 232 A Street meeting regarding the proposed pre-project notification form filing, you can view the presentation and the meeting video. 

originally published 5.4.23

FPNA Hosts First Ever Neighborhood Hour

 Dear Neighbor,

With more than a few meetings taking place in, around and about the neighborhood, we didn't want to overwhelm you. We decided to change the format of our Tuesday, April 25th Neighborhood Gathering to a Neighborhood Hour.

We will be in the Convener Space at The 105 aka the CRISPR Therapeutics building at 105 West First Street from 6pm to 7pm.

Our Boston Police Community Officers from C-6 will kick off the hour with a crime update. The rest of the time will be unscripted. 

We hope if time allows you will swing by, meet your neighbors and exchange ideas or ask questions about our neighborhood. 

If you have not seen David Bryne's 150 foot mural collaboration with Artists For Humanity, now is your chance.  On your way enjoy taking a walk through A Street Park to see the early spring blossoms. The Mayor will be in the park on May 10th. 

Warm Regards,

FPNA

PS We will return to our regular format at the May 23rd Neighborhood Gathering.

Tishman Speyer & Breakthrough Properties To Develop 2.5 acres of Fort Point Waterfront

Tishman Speyer and Breakthrough Properties today announced the acquisition of a 2.5 acre development site in South Boston’s thriving Fort Point waterfront district.

An affiliate of Breakthrough Properties acquired the site, which is bounded by A Street, Binford Street, the Fort Point Channel and Gillette’s manufacturing campus along the South Boston waterfront, from P&G/Gillette.  Breakthrough Properties is a joint venture formed by Tishman Speyer and biotechnology investment firm Bellco Capital. JLL represented P&G in the sale.

The rectangular-shaped development site is the final waterfront parcel to be developed as part of the city’s 100-Acre Master Plan, which was adopted in 2007 after a comprehensive community planning process. That master plan has served as a blueprint for the gradual transformation of empty parking lots into a thriving innovation district.  

“The Fort Point neighborhood is a vibrant nexus of arts and innovation and we are grateful to P&G/Gillette for this opportunity,” said Tishman Speyer President and CEO Rob Speyer. “We look forward to working with the community on a project that makes the waterfront more accessible, enhances climate resiliency, and fulfills the vision of the 100 Acres Master Plan.”

“We are pleased to welcome Tishman Speyer and Breakthrough Properties as an immediate neighbour,” said Gary Coombe, CEO of P&G Grooming.  “Both groups are well-respected developers with deep experience in Boston and in our Fort Point neighbourhood. We admire their commitment to fostering innovation and developing properties that create enduring value for both occupants and local communities through attractive and environmentally sound planning.  Their development philosophy and expertise will undoubtedly strengthen our vibrant and innovative community in South Boston.”

Tishman Speyer is a global real estate developer, owner, operator and investor with a 25-year track record in Boston.  The firm maintains a strong local presence in the Seaport, including its ownership of One Channel Center and the Channel Center Garage, as well as its development of the mixed use Pier 4. In 2019, Tishman Speyer was selected by the Harvard Allston Land Company to serve as its development partner for the Enterprise Research Campus in Allston, a mixed-use community that will consist of lab, residential, hotel, innovation space and significant improvements to the public realm. 

Breakthrough Properties is a life science real estate development company that leverages cross-sector collaboration to deliver environments that foster innovation and scientific breakthroughs. The firm is currently developing “The 105” at 105 West First Street, just blocks away from the development site.  The 263,500 square foot laboratory building, which is slated for completion in 2022, is already fully leased to CRISPR Therapeutics. 

###

105 West First Demolition and Construction

The RCN building in between Channel Center Garage and the Artists for Humanity is no more. Here are some updates on the construction schedule of the 105 West First development site by Tishman Spyer and thier Life Sciences arm, Breakthrough Technologies: 

-         Demolition of the building started  the week of 2/24 with the material being hauled out via the project approved trucking route. This building demolition and backfill will continue into the week of 3/2, to be completed by 3/6. Tishman Spyer received permission from the City of Boston to carry out debris removal last Saturday 2/29 to expedite work an minimize the impact to the neighborhood.

-          Starting on 3/2 the Support of Excavation mobilization will begin, coupled with the re-mobilization of the site work subcontractor for pre-trenching for the support of excavation. Soldier pile installation will be starting along the West 2^nd Street side of the project site on 3/2 . Pre-trenching will be ongoing at the same time, along the West 1^st street side of the project site, in preparation for the remaining support of excavation installation to follow behind.

-          Additionally starting on the week of 3/11, excavation and site preparation for foundation walls and mat slab will begin with site work contractor preparing the site for upcoming reinforcement installation for the foundation walls and main building slab.

-          The Week of 3/18, whalers, rakers, and corner bracing which are all a part of the support of excavation, will be starting along the West 2^nd Street side of the project site.

-          The week of 3/23, it is anticipated that the start of forming, reinforcing, and preparing to pour the building concrete mat slab will begin. 

Construction updates will be posted on the property’s website, which will be shared once it is up and running. 

The Consigli team is on site and available to answer any questions regarding construction at 105 West First Street. Contact Alex Carr, Project Manger at Consigli. 

105 West First St. as of  February 12, 2020

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105 West First Informational Update Meeting

Tishman Speyer cordially invites the neighborhood to attend their second Informational Update Meeting regarding the planned redevelopment of 105 West First Street to Life Sciences. The meeting will take place on:

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

 6:00 PM

3rd floor Conference Room

Artists for Humanity

100 West Second Street
View Presentation

In 2019 Breakthrough Properties, Life Sciences arm of Tishman Speyer, acquired the former RCN building from Commonwealth Ventures.  On the West First side, the building faces the A Street Park and is nestled between the Channel Center garage and Artists For Humanity.  In December of 2019, the BPDA hosted an informal meet and greet for neighbors and the new owners. Tishman Speyer also owns One Channel Center (State Street) building and the Channel Center Garage. 

Key meeting topics will be updates on the project schedule and public realm improvements, as well as information about the design and construction plan, and introduction to the construction team members from Consigli Construction Company. The demolition and construction timeline will be covered, including points of contact for the team on site, and sharing updates on plans for the new park east of the site between West First and West Second Streets.

You may also notice in the days leading up to the February 12th meeting that there will be additional construction vehicles and equipment added to the site. Please be assured that it is staging equipment and minor interior preparations ahead of the actual construction start, and that demolition will not commence until after the informational session on the 12th.

New Design as of December 2019

2017 Approved Design

originally published 2.3.20

RCN Site Redevelopment Community Meeting

Friday, April 21st is the public comment deadline. Please submit your comments on this project bordering the A Street park located between 1 Channel Center (State Street) and Artist for Humanities. You may online or to via email to Michael Rooney

The Boston Planning & Development Agency is hosting a community meeting regarding the RCN Redevelopment located at 105 W. First Street on:

April 12, 2017

6 pm - 8 pm

Laboure Center

275 West Broadway

View from A Street Park

View Project Documents

Comment Deadline: April, 21, 2017

Project Description: 105 West First Street Owner, LLC (the Proponent), an affiliate of Ares Management LLC with CV Properties, LLC as the developer, proposes to redevelop an approximately 42,219 square foot site (the Project Site) located at 105 West First Street in South Boston. The 105 West First Street project (the Project) will now comprise a seven story (originally 8 story), approximately 250,000 square foot office building containing 1,600+ square feet of ground floor space on West First Street for retail, café or restaurant use and 2,400+ square feet of convener space on West First Street, 10,000+ square feet of innovation space fronting on West Second Street, and 3,000+ square feet of tenant amenity space. The retail/restaurant/café use and innovation space on West First Street and West Second Street respectively are designed to activate the ground floor level of the building. The Project will also include approximately 35 parking spaces in an underground parking garage accessed from West First Street, as well as wider sidewalks and related streetscape improvements along both West First Street and West Second Street.

Submit your comments by April 21st online or to via email to Michael Rooney.

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originally published 4.3.17

RCN Redevelopment Public IAG Meeting Announced

The Boston Planning & Development  Agency (formerly BRA) will be holding an Impact Advisory Group (IAG) Public Meeting regarding 105 West 1st St (RCN site) on: 

Monday, March 27, 2017

6 pm - 8 pm

Laboure Center

275 West Broadway (at D St)
View Presentations & Documents

The public is welcome to attend. The purpose of this meeting is a little different than that of a traditional community meeting. As part of the development review process, IAG members work closely with BPDA staff to identify the impacts of a project and recommend appropriate community benefits to offset those impacts. IAG meetings prioritize discussion between the project proponent (i.e. the developer) and IAG members. If time remains at the end of the meeting, BPDA staff will open the floor to other community members in attendance. 

Comment deadline extended to April 21, 2017.  Submit your comments to Michael Rooney, BPDA Project Manager

Related Post

RCN Site Ready For Redevelopment

CV Properties who most recently developed hotels Aloft and Element on D St., One Channel Center (State Street) and the A Street Park is proposing to redevelop an approximately 42,219 square foot site located at 105 West First Street in South Boston. 105 W. 1st is the current home of RCN located next door to Artists For Humanity and bordered by the A Street Park and Channel Center Garage, West Second St and the South Boston Haul Rd. There will be a public community meeting to discuss the project on:

Thursday, March 2, 2017
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Artists for Humanity, 3rd Floor
100 West Second Street

The 105 West First Street project will comprise an eight story (115' height on W 1st & 103' on W 2nd). The eight story building would rise higher than the Channel Center Garage and the Artist For Humanity Epicenter Expansion. The  approximately 266,000 square foot office building contains 1,600+ square feet of ground floor space on West First Street for retail, café or restaurant use and 2,400+ square feet of convener space on West First Street, 10,000+ square feet of innovation space fronting on West Second Street, and 3,000+ square feet of tenant amenity space. The retail/restaurant/café use and innovation space on West First Street and West Second Street respectively are designed to activate the ground floor level of the building. 

Comment Deadline: March 13, 2017 extended
BPDA Project Manager: Michael Rooney

originally published 2.23.17