Today P&G Gillette sold the 6.5 Acre Channelside parking lot adjacent to the former GE Headquarters to Related Beal, making Related Beal Fort Point's newest neighbor. The 6.5 acre property is bordered by A Street and the Fort Point Channel, and Binford Street & Necco Court (Garage Access Road).
Kara Buckley, Communications Leader at P&G Gillette told the Fort Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) "We believe we have found a strong partner in Related Beal. The company has developed some of the most recognized buildings and complicated projects in the area, including Congress Square, the Seaport’s Innovation Square life science campus, The Clarendon, One Back Bay, Lovejoy Wharf and The Beverly, a mixed-use development in downtown Boston. We also saw a very thoughtful proposal from Related Beal – including the potential for life sciences, strong residential, attractive open spaces and view corridors, and a willingness to work with the community along the way. Overall, we believe this will be an exciting development for the neighborhood – and are looking forward to seeing the potential become a reality."
The Fort Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) looks forward to working with Related Beal on the development of this important parcel to the neighborhood as well as continuing our good relationship with long time neighbor, P&G Gillette.
The news of this sale coupled with last week's announcement that Alexandria Real Estate Equities and National Development acquired the MassDevelopment GE 2.7 acre parcel, which includes the two historic Necco Court buildings and the adjacent GE Headquarters parcel, will create a vibrant expansion of the Fort Point neighborhood. GE will continue to complete the HarborWalk improvements and the renovation of the Necco Court buildings including the green pedestrian bridge. GE plans to move employees from nearby Farnsworth Street into the refurbished Necco Court buildings later this year.
Both newly acquired parcels are part of the City of Boston's Imagine Boston 2030, 100 Acres Master Plan for Fort Point, South Boston Municipal Harbor Plan Amendment, South Boston Coastal Resilience Report and Resilient Boston Harbor vision. This is a significant moment for the future growth and mixed development of the Fort Point neighborhood. The 100 Acres Master Plan is the culmination of over five years of collaboration between residents, property owners, and City and State agencies. Two core principles of the plan essential to the neighborhood are one-third housing development with an expansion of artist housing and on-site affordable units, and the creation of the Fort Point Park and Channel Park on the properties. The parks play a critical role in the City's coastal resilience solutions to protect the neighborhood from sea level rise and flooding.
