Makerspace? Check. Hammocks? Check. Leasing begins at new East Boston complex
The complex, which comprises two buildings, will have 230 units. Search the latest listings to rent in Greater Boston at realestate.boston.com.
Historically, proximity to an airport was never a positive boost for real estate, but location was indeed what attracted developers Redgate to build Addison, a new apartment development now leasing for December move-ins in East Boston’s Orient Heights, five minutes from Logan International. Still, the decision wasn’t really about the airport.
“The Blue Line corridor has been in development since 2014,” said Damian Szary, a principal at Redgate. “But the majority of the activity has happened along the waterfront. Nobody was looking at the neighborhoods, what we call infill locations.”
That is, locations ripe for filling in: “This neighborhood at the base of Orient Heights was once an industrial area, but it’s transforming into a residential one,” Szary added.
That industrial past is in plain sight: Adjacent to Addison, Maverick Mills, a 19th-century cotton mill, now houses businesses like Parlor Skis & Snowboards and ThreadTech, a fashion co-workspace, and inspired the three-story utilitarian looking Addison’s aesthetic.
“We embraced that industrial concept,” said Szary. “The exterior design is corrugated metal. We have large industrial-style windows. Addison generally has an industrial feel inside, too.”
Redgate also added a makerspace equipped with a 3-D printer, laser and vinyl cutters, digital sewing and embroidery machines, as well as an industrial kitchen where culinary creatives can experiment.
Though Addison is within walking distance of both the Orient Heights and Wood Island T stations and a commuter-friendly 15-minute Blue Line ride downtown, it also has a co-working area with private offices, perfect for the home-based worker.
Then there are the more usual amenities like communal lounges, a fitness center (with a climbing wall), a pool, a dog washroom, and a roof deck, too.
In total, by spring 2022, the two five-story buildings will bring 230 studio (from $2,089 per month; approximately 475 square feet), one-bedroom (from $2,219; ranging from 575 to 700 square feet), and two-bedroom (from $3,252; starting at 914 square feet) apartment homes to the area, and will include 30 affordable housing units. Assigned covered on-site parking is an extra $175 per month.
While some homes have balconies, and others private roof terraces, the interiors share a common design.
“We went for an open feeling,” said Szary. “Natural light is important, so windows are large. Kitchens also have that industrial feel: We eliminated upper cabinets and used open shelving. Fixtures such as doorknobs are black,” he added.
An important addition is a working solar array that will power common areas — comforting during storm outages. And there are the fun hammocks on an elevated deck: “You drop down into the hammock,” Szary said.
Besides makers and “hammockers,” Szary expects Addison to attract certain types of residents.
“That will probably be 25-35 years old in general; singles and young couples mostly. But I anticipate we will have a fair share of empty-nesters,” he surmised. “Very cool, hip empty-nesters who want to be in an urban environment but not a downtown one.”
And, yes, airport proximity is attractive for some.
“Travel accessibility will be a consideration for some people; also for airline workers, who want to be close by,” Szary mused. “You can watch planes take off from the roof deck.”
Addison is located at 144 Addison St., East Boston. For more information, call 857-419-7927 or go to addisoneastboston.com.
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