Northampton Square Phase II Moves Forward

The second phase of the Northampton Square project, a $154 million development that will bring 371,881 square feet of affordable housing and rooftop open space to the South End, has been approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Phase II will include the construction of Albany Tower, a 26-story tower with 211 luxury apartments, at the corner of Albany and Northampton Streets, and the rehabilitation of the 12-story Harrison Tower residential building at 860 Harrison Avenue.

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The Northampton Square complex is located in the South End -Lower Roxbury neighborhood, one block away from Boston Medical Center and the Boston University Medical Campuses.

Phase II of development contains two main components - the renovation of 860 Harrison Avenue, and the construction of a new residential tower at the corner of Northampton Street and Albany Street.

Albany Tower will include 211 luxury apartments, consisting of one and two bedroom units and 53,000 square feet of office space for the Boston Public Health Commission. The tower is estimated to cost $85 million to build.

Harrison Tower will include 109 residential units. At least 102 of the units created by Phase II will be affordable. Once the project is completed, the site would have close to 64 percent affordable housing.

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The plaza on top of an existing parking garage will be renovated into an open space amenity for residents, including areas of green roof and rooftop farming.

The two approved buildings are part of the 3.59 acre Northampton Square Campus, which includes the existing offices of the BHCC, the South End Fitness Center, the Carter Auditorium, and a 538-space parking garage.

No changes would be made to the garage that currently serves the two existing buildings.

Trinity Northampton Limited Partnership is the developer and The Architectural Team is the architect on the project.

The total development cost for Phase II is estimated at $154 million, and is slated for completion in 2017.

The original complex was built between 1969 and 1973 to house the Boston City Hospital School of Nursing. The Boston Public Health Commission acquired the site in July 1996, and has managed the property since.

In December of 2010, the BPHC selected Trinity Financial to redevelop and manage the various components of the site.

In the fall of 2013, Trinity closed on the financing for the first phase of the redevelopment – the renovations of 35 Northampton Street. These renovations are expected to be completed in December 2014.