Where are the new opportunities for developers? It lies in small downtowns around greater Boston! - by David O'Sullivan

Everyone hears about new developments being proposed and may wonder who is going to live or work there. Do we really need that much office space, another restaurant or more housing? There are also initiatives in various cities and towns to promote economic development. What does this mean to us as architects, working in the industry and what is the impact on our business prospects? 

Does this mean we have more advocates that want to see properties redeveloped and that our approval process will be streamlined? Does it mean that zoning will be rewritten to allow larger developments? Does it mean banks will be more willing to provide acquisition financing? In a perfect world these things would happen but the reality is not so rosy. 

Working as an architect for a variety of clients in different Massachusetts cities and towns, we see all types of situations and scenarios relating to developments. There is a recognition by many cities and towns that development is good for them and when they are able to direct the type and location of new developments, it is beneficial to everyone. The new projects can create additional tax revenue, provide a better streetscape, clean up blighted sites and provide needed housing. 

There is a continuing trend of people wanting to work near where they live as well as being able to walk to restaurants, stores and health clubs. Many of us think this means living in the city but examples of projects embracing this type of lifestyle are happening everywhere. Some large developments are integrating these aspects in one place and others are smaller infill developments and are located to provide these amenities and lifestyle choices too.

Our office has not had the opportunity to design a large new community in total such as Assembly Row, Northpoint, Ink Block or Boston Landing. These large developments all have the components of live, work and play. They were developed over a period of years with components done by different developers/architects and represent new community spaces as part of a larger urban fabric. Most have served to transform what had been an older, underdeveloped industrial area into a small community servicing new residents and well as residents from nearby neighborhoods.  All seem to be very successful and each brings the user a different experience. 

The more retail open air type experience with smaller housing components are popping up around the suburbs such as Legacy Place, Patriot Place, and Market Street at Lynnfield to name a few. These are more destination developments catering to suburban people who want a lively environment for entertainment and shopping. They do not seem to be places where many people actually live. 

The real potential for development lies in small downtowns scattered around the Greater Boston area. Towns are going through rezoning efforts to capitalize on the idea of live, work, play and encouraging new mixed use buildings which complement and enhance the existing downtowns or transit nodes. For example, Framingham has long had a neglected downtown with marginal stores and older housing stock in need of renovation or replacement. It also has a very active commuter rail station. There is a move to provide new housing centered around the downtown and rail station. Smaller developers are buying up run down housing and renovating these buildings. The influx of new residents, with access to highways and transit to Boston will serve to support new restaurant and service businesses. 

Framingham is just one community that we have experience with new revitalization. Other towns such as Natick, Reading, Wakefield, Medford and many others have rezoned their downtowns and provide opportunities for developers to create the type of projects which cater to this market. As infill developments move beyond Boston to the surrounding towns there are new and exciting opportunities. These give suburban residents an opportunity for urban amenities at a more affordable price in areas where they are more comfortable living. 

David O’Sullivan, AIA, is the president of O’Sullivan Architects, Inc., Reading, Mass.