Quincy, MA According to Gate Residential Properties the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103 and Local 7 Iron Workers have joined the West of Chestnut project team. They are joined by other local construction workers as the first of two buildings is now beginning to rise along Hancock St.

The agreements with the local union trades come as construction continues on West of Chestnut, the $60 million residential and commercial project that is jumpstarting development in downtown Quincy.

Aldon Electric, a member of IBEW Local 103, was awarded the electrical work for West of Chestnut.

In addition to IBEW Local 103, Local 7 Iron Workers have begun to erect the steel podium for the 169-unit residential apartment and retail development.

Local 4 Operators and Local 1421 Building Wreckers also played a key role in the demolition and excavation work onsite for West of Chestnut.

“We are pleased that we were able to come to terms and that these local workers will be participating in this important and exciting project for Quincy,” said Damian Szary, a principal with Gate Residential. ”West of Chestnut is the first of several new developments that will help transform downtown Quincy, and a project that will offer outstanding amenities, vibrant urban living and convenient access to the Red Line, commuter rail and many bus routes into and around Boston.”

Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Co. and Gate Residential Properties, partners in the joint venture, praised Quincy mayor Thomas Koch for his active role in the IBEW Local 103 negotiations.

“This agreement required both sides to give and the Mayor facilitated those discussions,” said Quincy Mutual executive vice president James Moran. “I’m not sure it could have happened without him.”

“We began meeting with local labor unions last fall and pledged to engage any union that could work within the finances of this project,” added Moran. “The labor unions that are now participating in the construction of this project made a commitment to competitively bid the work within our budget so that they could put their members to work and participate in the revitalization of Quincy’s downtown. We are proud to have them and proud of the community that we have called home for 164 years.”

 Earlier this summer, Gate Residential began construction on West of Chestnut following the announcement last fall of a new joint venture with land owner Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Quincy Mutual, which has been in continuous operation in Quincy since it was founded in 1851, has invested more than $23 million in the downtown Quincy redevelopment effort to date.

West of Chestnut features 169 highly-amenitized residential units in two six-story urban midrise buildings – including approximately 12,000 square feet of commercial and retail space on the ground level that will feature restaurants and active retail stores. Amenities include a top-of-the-line fitness center, cross-training studio, a club suite with a lounging media room, a dog-wash room, and an outdoor fireplace and courtyard.

West of Chestnut is one of many new developments set for Quincy Center, which will include the renovated Quincy Center MBTA station, the newly-remodeled City Hall, and the expected Adams Green urban park.

Quincy Chamber of Commerce President Dean Rizzo announced in the spring that Quincy currently has $600 million of residential and commercial development in the works.

“Quincy is in the midst of an exciting development boom, and we’re pleased that West of Chestnut is part of this great story,” said Rizzo. “With world-class amenities and set in a prime location near shopping and restaurants – just minutes from downtown Boston – West of Chestnut will attract a new wave of young professionals – and consumers - to Quincy Center.”

Gate Residential has established a long track record of success and is a good community partner in all of the cities and towns where it has developed projects. It expects to begin the pre-leasing process for West of Chestnut in January 2016 and complete construction on the first phase of the project by spring 2016. A second phase of the project, called East of Chestnut, will follow – featuring approximately 220 units with additional amenity and retail space.