Dorchester Bay develops commercial real estate with the goal of creating a thriving economy and vibrant streetscape in Upham’s Corner and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Our projects enable small businesses to remain, grow, and thrive. Our tenants include important social service agency partners and markets that bring fresh food within walking distance of residents’ homes.
60,000 sq. ft. of Ground-floor Commercial Space
Dorchester Bay owns a number of smaller-scale retail developments as part of mixed-use projects, usually on the ground floor of apartment buildings but also in the Pierce building, our office and a historic building in Upham’s Corner that we completed renovation of at the end of 2022. The sidewalk-oriented design in our retail spaces create walkable and bright stretches on key neighborhood corridors.
160,000 sq. ft. of Commercial and Light Industrial Space
Dorchester Bay develops complex commercial and light industrial projects that spur job creation in our neighborhoods. These spaces transform abandoned blocks, incubate small businesses, and have fostered the creation of over 250 new jobs.
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio
65 Bay Street
Overview:
65 Bay Street was Dorchester Bay’s first foray into light industrial development. In 2002, we completed the new construction of an 80,000 square foot facility on the site of the former Boston Insulated Wire and Cable Factory, next to the Savin Hill subway station on the Red Line. The site had been a contaminated brownfield. Using a combination of public sources, Dorchester Bay cleaned up the blighted site and custom built a facility for a printing company, Spire, Inc. The company created over 160 jobs at the facility. Dorchester Bay sold the property to Spire in 2014, and they continue to grow their business there.
Property Type:
Commercial (light industrial)
Units:
80,000 sf commercial printing facility
Residential Affordability:
Unrestricted
Tenants:
Spire, Inc.
Completed:
2002
Sold:
2014
Leasing Information:
Contact the owner, Spire Printing, at (617) 350-8837
Indigo Block
Overview:
Dorchester Bay transformed this vacant parcel into high-quality affordable housing for our community and created a more direct link to the train station right next to the property. Indigo Block is located blocks from the Upham’s Corner commercial district and adjacent to the Upham’s Corner station on the Fairmount Indigo commuter rail line. The joint venture with Boston Capital and New Market Business Association includes 80 residential rental units for low-and middle-income households; 9 condominium units for sale at rates that are affordable to middle-income households; and 20,000 square feet of light industrial space. The light industrial space is leased by a local catering company who will provide jobs for local residents.
Property Type:
Mixed Use
Units:
80 rental, 9 homeownership condominiums, 10,000 SF commercial space
Affordability:
Unrestricted
Completed:
2021
Leasing Information:
The Pierce Building
Overview:
For over 40 years, the historic S.B. Pierce Building has been Dorchester Bay’s home. Our rehabilitation of Pierce is a manifestation of Dorchester Bay’s commitment to building a strong, thriving Upham’s Corner, together with our neighbors and partners. The renovation included new windows and façade restoration; a fully ADA compliant front entry and elevator; new heating and cooling systems; and new restrooms and kitchen facilities for tenants. The interior modernization improved the second-floor space to support local businesses and organizations, including Upham’s Corner Main Street, and JP Morgan Chase Bank operates a community branch from the first floor, offering expanded access to affordable home loans, low-cost checking accounts, and financial health education workshops. Our investment in the restoration of this neighborhood asset marks a turning point in the long-planned revitalization of Upham’s Corner as an arts and innovation district. Our Pierce renovation project was the recipient of the Mayor Thomas M. Menino Legacy Award from Preservation Massachusetts, and a Preservation Achievement Award from the Boston Preservation Alliance.
Property Type:
Commercial (retail, office)
Units:
1 retail, 2 office
Residential Affordability:
Unrestricted
Tenants:
Dorchester Bay EDC; retail tenants
Completed:
2022
Leasing Information:
Bornstein and Pearl Food Production Center
Overview:
Overview:DBEDC partnered with Commonwealth Kitchen to redevelop the 2-acre former Pearl Meat Factory into a 36,000 square foot fully-equipped, shared-use, commercial kitchen, business incubator and multi-tenant food production facility known as the Bornstein & Pearl Food Production Center located at 196 Quincy Street. The redevelopment created space to support local food production businesses including widely-known 88 Acres and Alex’s Ugly Sauce. DBEDC sold the building to Commonwealth Kitchen in 2022.
Property Type:
Commercial Kitchen/Food Production
Units:
36,000 SF
Tenants:
Commonwealth Kitchen, 88 Acres, Alex’s Ugly Sauce
Completed:
2014
Sold:
2022
