The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has issued a Request for Qualifications and Expression of Interest (RFQ/EOI) for development of its Core Block in South Boston. The Core Block spans more than eight acres and represents the largest development site on Massport's 30-acre Commonwealth Flats area in South Boston.
The Core Block is considered highly desirable property because of its multi-use potential and location. Envisioned for a combination of uses including hotel, housing and retail business, the Core Block promises unique development opportunities with unparalleled access to transportation infrastructure, the waterfront and the new convention center.
Massport's Commonwealth Flats property has seen intense development activity within the last decade and is already home to the World Trade Center, Seaport Hotel and two new office buildings. Later this year, Canadian insurance firm, Manulife, will open its United States headquarters in the area just east of the Core Block.
The Core Block is located directly across Summer Street from the emerging Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) which is slated to open in 2004.
The Core Block is framed by Congress Street, D Street, Summer Street and WTC Avenue, for a total of 8.3 acres. Opportunities for further development include parcels D-1 and D-3, also within the Commonwealth Flats, which are slated to supplement the primary parcels. The RFQ/EOI outlines total development opportunities in the Commonwealth Flats for 13 acres.
Key assets of the location include excellent access to the interstate highway system, on-site rapid transit, on-site parking rights for at least 1,700 cars, proximity to a growing water transportation network and service from a full complement of utilities.
The Core Block site sits in the heart of almost 7 million square feet of mixed use development already completed, under construction or pre-permitted within the Commonwealth Flats area. Massport expects to issue Requests for Proposals for development of the Core Block in the spring.