BPDA approves the plan to develop 201 Rutherford Ave into 240 residential units
A 240-unit apartment building will replace the 99 Restaurant at Charlestown’s Bunker Hill Mall under an estimated $85 million project by the property’s longtime owner, Boston-based New England Development.
According to a BPDA board memo, the Charlestown project complies with zoning and is exempt from Boston’s inclusionary development policy, but developers agreed to set aside 20 percent of the units as affordable housing.
The Boston Planning & Development Agency on Thursday approved the 197,000 square-foot project at 201 Rutherford Ave. and the first 1 million square-foot phase of Skanska’s Longwood Place redevelopment of Simmons University’s former residential campus.
See memo below:
Housing: 240 residential units, 48 income-restricted units
Jobs: Approximately 210 construction jobs
Community: Public realm improvements
Sustainability: NZC compliant, Passive House certified, LEED Gold
Located in Charlestown, this project will redevelop a portion of what is currently the Bunker Hill Mall into a new six-story building with 240 new homes, 48 of which will be income-restricted. These will be a mix of studios, one-, and two-bedrooms. The project site falls within the study area of PLAN: Charlestown, which the BPDA Board approved in September 2023 and is fully zoning compliant. The Plan specifically identified Bunker Hill Mall as a key redevelopment opportunity due to its transit accessibility, role as a neighborhood gateway, and ample supply of parking lots. As part of the mitigation and community benefits, this project will contribute dozens of new trees, public art, landscaping, and space for bike parking and EV charging.
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Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
The public was not informed that this would be going to the board as it was not included in the board meeting agenda email. The Bunker Hill Mall was removed from Plan: Charlestown by then BPDA Chief Arthur Jamison so there could be a community process for the site. This project also eliminates commercial space, which is a violation of the urban renewal use.