It wasn’t long ago that it looked as if one iota of a tremor beneath the earth’s surface would cause Lovejoy Wharf in the North End, and the 160 North Washington Street Building overshadowing it, to come crashing into Boston Harbor. Today, it’s hardly recognizable and from it, has sprouted new living spaces and the headquarters of sneaker giant Converse – surrounded by brand new public space.
Recently the public space around Lovejoy was unofficially opened – that is, people are now able to walk around, sit down and/or take in views of the Zakim and Charlestown bridges. Plant life is still being installed and event programming is still being solidified, but now people can stroll along the HarborWalk the section of which in front of Lovejoy was blockaded due to construction.
According to Boston Redevelopment Authority documents, what we’re able to see now will transform further into “three-quarters of an acre of landscaped waterfront open space available to the public for formal and informal gatherings, seasonal markets/vending carts, events, public displays of music, art, and dance, and other events designed to enliven the waterfront.”
Some 2,000 square feet of rent-free building space will be on the ground floor of the 131 Beverly Street building and will act as a visitor’s center. A floating dock will also be situated at the end of the wharf, and already completed is the pedestrian staircase that connects the waterfront with the Charlestown Bridge.
If you make your way over to Lovejoy Wharf now, it’ll be hard not to notice the gaping space in between 160 North Washington and the TD Garden – and no, I’m not referring to the Expressway. Directly next to 160 North Washington will be where the 131 Beverly Street building will be erected.
This nine-story structure will be home to 175 condos and, as per the project’s description, “will result in an increase in the total area of this enhanced public wharf from that as originally contemplated, and the addition of the open air pedestrian passageway through the building will further link Causeway Street to the Lovejoy Wharf waterfront.”
Already the cluster of buildings in close proximity to Lovejoy Wharf are landing some big-time occupants. Converse, Oxfam America, TripAdvisor, TITLE Boxing Club and Equal Exchange Cafe are already situated at, or a stone’s throw from, Lovejoy showing how in-demand the area actually is.
Converse, in fact, is reportedly ready to open its doors and is even planning a five-day concert series though they opted not to host it on the waterfront.
The 160 North Washington Street Building is expected to be completed this year at which point the development of 131 Beverly will commence.
