Brighton, MA Surus Development & Construction has broken ground on a new condominium development for affiliated company Jumbo Capital. The six-story, 120,000 s/f project marks one of the first significant owned residential developments in the emerging neighborhood. The project is located off Leo M. Birmingham Parkway, across from the New Balance development site.
“Surus is thrilled to play a role in helping to enhance the character of this neighborhood with appealing, long-term home ownership options. The team has been working closely with the city to ensure that this development would prove to be a real asset to the community. From parking mitigation to investment in neighborhood amenities, such as the park behind the site new bike lane, we are committed to adding value wherever we build,” said Steve Laverty, a partner at Jumbo who also heads Surus’ construction operation.
The building itself will be podium style construction with two levels of resident parking below grade, two-stories of steel, and four-stories of traditional wood frame construction. The property aims to differentiate itself with stylish exterior, fine interior detail, rooftop gardens and common open air patios on the third floor. Consideration was also given to changes in lifestyle brought about by COVID-19 with the inclusion of a flex-space salon/spa. These rooms feature a salon chair and massage table, enabling residents to bring in their own service providers for on-site private treatments.
In keeping with the firm’s commitment to building strong community relationships, Surus turned the project’s groundbreaking into a benefit for local elementary students.
Laverty put together some funds and rounded up a team of volunteers to build 40 complete desk and chair sets to be distributed for free to any Edison student who needed one. The volunteers, including Surus and Jumbo employees along with representatives from the project’s financing partner, East Boston Savings Bank, worked throughout the day to meet the demand from families in need.
“The Edison School cannot thank the Surus Team enough for the gift you have given to the Students and Families of the Edison K8. The creativity in providing desks to students at home is so critically needed now during COVID-19. Many families do not have the resources on top of managing the new learn from home environment and their basic needs to buy desks and set up a private and appropriate space of their own. It was wonderful to come together with this team and physically build the desks and continue bringing joy as the desks were delivered,” said Kimberley Williams, principal of the Thomas A. Edison K8 School.
Jay Hirsh, Jumbo Capital’s managing partner, expressed his firm’s excitement about the project. “Jumbo is thrilled to become a part of the Allston-Brighton community with this new condo project. We are looking forward to developing new housing opportunities in such an up and coming area. The project is located in a hub of growth with the New Balance Site, Auerbach Center, Warrior Arena and benefits from excellent access. It has been a pleasure working with the Allston-Brighton community, the Edison School, and East Boston Savings Bank.”