Boston, MA Leggat McCall Properties and its joint venture partner Multi-Employer Property Trust (MEPT), a $7.3 billion real estate equity fund advised by Bentall Kennedy, filed a Letter of Intent with the Boston Redevelopment Authority today for 2.5 acres in the South End purchased from the Boston Medical Center in late 2014. The joint venture is proposing to build a multi-family residential project, which will bring approximately 700 new apartments to this growing Boston neighborhood. In response to Mayor Walsh’s plan ‘Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030,’ calling for additional affordable housing units by 2030, the project will include affordable rentals designed to cater to a vital demographic in the city, in addition to market-rate units. The South End proposal is comprised of the block between Harrison Ave. and Albany St., and by East Dedham St. and East Canton St. The proposed project will include two buildings ranging in height from 11 to 19 stories, and will include artist live/work space, and a gallery or restaurant use on the ground floor. The existing building at 575 Albany St. will be rehabilitated and retained as part of the project. The proposal will increase public open space in the South End, providing a green promenade between the two residential buildings, as well as a pocket park next to the Gambro building on Harrison Ave. The existing parking lot will be removed and replaced with underground parking. Bill Gause, executive vice president of Leggat McCall Properties said, “The Harrison Ave. corridor is emerging as one of the city’s most sought after residential neighborhoods. We look forward to working with the neighbors to add more housing and street life to the area, as well as provide additional work space for local artists.” The project will seek LEED certification, and the construction activity is expected to have a significant economic impact in the Boston metro area while creating green jobs for members of the Boston Building Trades. “We continue to pursue investments in the Boston area, as we have a very positive view of market fundamentals that include a diverse workforce and strong economic growth,” said David Antonelli, executive vice president and MEPT portfolio manager at Bentall Kennedy. “These fundamentals should help drive competitive risk-adjusted returns, while at the same time providing an economic boost to the Boston market that includes workforce housing, job creation and green building. “ Located on a main thoroughfare with excellent access to public transportation, restaurants, and entertainment, the site is also within proximity to several employment centers including the Boston Medical Center, Back Bay, the Downtown Financial District and the Seaport District. The team acquired the buildings at 660 and 720 Harrison Ave., 575 Albany, 100 East Canton, and 123 East Dedham in late 2014 as Boston Medical Center implemented a consolidation and renovation of its campus. About Leggat McCall Properties  Founded in 1965, Leggat McCall Properties is a leading real estate owner and developer, as well as service provider to a corporate, educational, health-care, and other clients in the Boston to Washington, D.C., corridor. Leggat McCall Properties has acquired and developed more than 10 million square feet of properties, with an aggregate value in excess of $3 Billion. The company specializes in managing development and construction risk, and transforming complex and challenging real estate projects into stable, institutional-quality assets. About MEPT Multi-Employer Property Trust (MEPT) is a $7.3 billion, open-end commingled real estate equity fund that invests in a diversified portfolio of institutional-quality real estate assets in 25 major metropolitan markets across the U.S. Founded in 1982, MEPT is owned by more than 320 institutional investors, including 14 multi-employer and public employee plans in the greater Boston area. Signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, MEPT is recognized as a pioneer in Responsible Property Investing (RPI) and has been top-ranked globally by GRESB for its environmental performance. About Bentall Kennedy Bentall Kennedy, a Sun Life Investment Management company, is one of North America’s largest real estate investment advisors and one of its foremost providers of real estate services. Bentall Kennedy serves the interests of more than 550 institutional clients and investors across office, retail, industrial, and multi-family properties throughout Canada and the U.S. Bentall Kennedy is a member of UN PRI and is a recognized global leader in Responsible Property Investing. Bentall Kennedy includes Bentall Kennedy (U.S.) Limited Partnership and Bentall Kennedy (Canada) Limited Partnership.