Developer plans 11 new buildings, 1,000 resi units in South Boston

South Boston continues its makeover, and its developer is hopeful it’s wicked smaht.

Boston-based Core Investments submitted a proposed plan for a major 11-building development on 21 acres along Dorchester Avenue, Boston Business Journal reported. The plan will focus on residential, life sciences and office space.

The project, known as “On The Dot,” was initially introduced in early 2021, featuring four buildings on 9 acres near the Andrew MBTA station. The newly expanded plan aims to transform the area into a bustling hub of lab activity and multifamily housing.

The draft master plan, filed recently, outlines the redevelopment of a significant portion of Dot Avenue, replacing its current low-slung industrial cluster with buildings reaching heights of 200 feet or more. 

The proposal spans four phases, with a total of nearly 4 million square feet of development. 

About one-third of the space will be dedicated to residential use, with more than 1,000 units. The proposal still requires approval from the Boston Planning and Development Agency for the overall plan and each specific building. The permitting and construction process is expected to take several years, possibly extending beyond a decade.

Core Investments is not the only real estate firm with plans for the area. National Development and other companies also have their own projects in mind to revitalize Dot Ave. Core’s proposal covers land on the west side of the road, starting from Southampton Street and extending north towards the Dot Ave.-Old Colony Avenue intersection. 

Additionally, Core is partnering with Samuels & Associates and Intercontinental Real Estate Corp. on the nearby 1-million-square-foot mixed-use Washington Village development in Andrew Square, with the first apartment building scheduled to open later this year.

John Cissel, Core’s president of development, expressed excitement about the proposal, stating that it offers a mix of uses that meet the needs of the area’s residents in the 21st century. 

The first phase, unveiled in 2021, includes a 325-unit apartment building and open space. Subsequent phases involve the construction of a residential building, lab/office spaces, and additional residential and commercial buildings.

The architectural firm Stantec is leading the master planning and design for the life sciences buildings, while Utile has been selected to design the first residential building of the project. 

— Ted Glanzer