In 2013, we posited that the area around the TD Garden would be the next ‘it’ Boston neighborhood. At the time, the Converse HQ at neighboring Lovejoy Wharf was still being built out, among other surrounding projects, and now two years later it seems that we could be right. In Boston, though, dense clusters of development are two-sided coins: they can create new neighborhood destinations and bring in new tenants, but they can also price out those who have historically enjoyed a deep-seated relationship with the area.
Bulfinch Triangle, which roughly encompasses the area around the Garden, Canal Street, Merrimac Street and Causeway Street, just a stone’s throw from Converse, has been the subject of such dense development in recent years. And it seems one of its anchor retailers is feeling the negative side effects of this and is considering a relocation – possibly outside of Boston altogether.
Hilton’s Tent City occupies four floors of space on Friend Street and, according to its website, has been dealing in outdoor recreation gear since the 1947.
I spoke with a manager named Tony at Tent City who said a move is certainly possible but not definite. They could remain in the Bulfinch Triangle but he alluded that the area is almost unrecognizable from its former self, and not necessarily in a good way. If they were to move, Tony said, it would be “towards locations similar to what Bulfinch Triangle used to be, like a Cambridge or a Somerville.”
He likened the situation to artist loft clusters – areas of low cost that become attractive once settled by creatives who then get pushed out because others swarm in and catalyze price increases.
“It’s dominated by the entertainment industry,” said Tony, referring to the Garden of course, as well as clubs and other late night destinations. “It’s almost become a second Landsdowne Street.”
Luxury housing is also sprouting around Bulfinch like The Victor, One Canal, Avalon North Station, 131 Beverly Street next to Converse and, the most substantial of them all, luxury towers directly next to the TD Garden to be known aptly as Boston Garden – a sprawling mixed-used complex expected to house close to 500 residential units, 300 hotel rooms, and retail that could include a Star Market.
There’s also a 90-room hotel approved for 104 Canal Street where a former bank ATM used to be.
Parcel 1B, the lot currently vacant directly next to The Victor fronting Causeway Street, is also up for redevelopment and Related Beal is attempting to build units there that they want to be completely affordable and workforce residential.
The Boston Redevelopment Authority also recently approved plans for 81 residential units, 32 parking spaces and 3,719-square feet of commercial space at 121-127 Portland Street to be called The Forecaster.
The area is becoming attractive to new hospitality establishments of a fresher variety as well. That is, more bars and restaurants like Tavern in the Square at The Victor and Causeway Restaurant & Bar are planting roots which may not bode well for local dives like Sullivan’s Tap, for example.
According to the Boston Redevelopment Authority, between 2009 and 2013 there was over $1.4 billion in development investments in Bulfinch Triangle alone.
And while new development can certainly help reinvigorate a neighborhood, when mainstays like Tent City can’t afford substantial rent increases the entire neighborhood loses part of its identity.
It’s important to note that Tent City hasn’t committed to another location and there’s still a chance it could remain on Friend Street. If it does, though, it’s unclear how long it could viably stay.
