Equity Residential completes first of five buildings for $168m West End Apartments

Mayor Thomas Menino was joined by Boston Redevelopment Authority director John Palmeri, representatives of Equity Residential and members of the West End community for a grand opening ceremony marking the completion of 'Vesta', the first building completed in the five building Equity Residential development, The West End Apartments. Upon completion, the $168 million development will bring 310 new residential units, the first addition of new housing to the West End neighborhood in 10 years. The construction manager is Turner Construction and design was provided by Elkus/Manfredi. "I'm delighted to welcome new housing to the West End," Mayor Menino said. "Creating new housing - especially affordable housing - is a top priority of my administration and we will keep looking for ways to increase the city's housing supply. I also want to thank Equity Residential for their commitment to improving the West End neighborhood" "Equity Residential is very proud of the West End Apartments project and the continued revitalization of the West End neighborhood. The Vesta building is an exceptional property and we are pleased to bring this asset to the city of Boston," said David Neithercut, Equity Residential's president and CEO. The project which consists of 5 buildings, Vesta, Asteria and three smaller buildings called the Villas, is the culmination of over four years of planning with city, state and the community. The completion of the Vesta building adds 104 units of housing to the city's housing supply. The completion of the Villas is slated for winter 2008 and Asteria in spring of 2008. The West End Apartments are located off of Blossom St. in the West End. The apartments are a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments as well as townhouses. In addition, there will be two below-grade parking structures for 660 cars, creating a valuable 58 percent increase in open space throughout the site, an important part of the project's identity.