Dorchester Dot Block
Several years in the making, a plan is expected to bring four new buildings with approximately 488 residential rental units along 1205 Dorchester Avenue in Boston. This plan has become commonly referred to as the Dorchester Dot Block, which was initially approved in 2016 but was amended in 2019, increasing the rental units and changing the dynamic of the parking structure.
Dorchester Dot Block
The development amendment for the Dorchester Dot Block Project will situate four buildings along the block – a five-story Hancock Street building, a four-story Pleasant Street building, a six-story Dorchester North building, and a six-story Dorchester South building. The units will be a mixture of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom rental spaces.
The project’s parking was changed from an above-ground parking garage to an underground parking unit that will contain approximately 345 parking spaces, including a ground floor with approximately 14 enclosed spaces. On-street parking is anticipated to add approximately 19 spaces along the new interior drives to support temporary use. A covered area for bicycle riders is will also be added within the development to support alternative forms of transportation.
Community and public benefits of the Dorchester Dot Block include, but are not limited to, providing high-quality residential units, the establishment of a community fund for $250,000 to be managed by the Boston Planning and Development Agency, the creation of construction jobs, and new businesses to help accommodate the block’s commercial and neighborhood amenities.
Retail spaces are expected to take up 23,000 square feet of space and be situated as smaller neighborhood-oriented stores and restaurants. This change was made from the original 37,000 square feet allotted in the original project proposal, which included larger formatted retail spaces.
The project is expected to take 24 months to complete from the commencement of construction.
About the Development
The developers of the project are Samuels & Associates and Wintergold, LLC. Samuels & Associates is known in the Boston area for developing Boston’s most renowned commercial real estate properties. Wintergold, LLC is a lesser-known investment group that paid $19.1 million for the site for redevelopment. The construction company for the project is Stantec, a top-tier global design firm.