A New York developer plans to demolish this block of Washington and Bromfield streets and replace it with a mixed-use project.
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, a nationwide chain with 250 stores in 30 states, is considering opening an 11,000-square-foot store in Downtown Crossing.
“We are very interested in the city of Boston, and we’re just trying to figure out the best opportunity for us and for our customers,” said Alex Lelli, the firm’s senior vice president. “We’re looking at the available space in Downtown Crossing and space that is under construc-tion, but the rents and other economic terms have to be supportive of making it profitable for us.”
Ulta Salon was one of dozens of companies including Staples, 1-800 Flowers, Planet Fitness and Foodie’s Urban Market that got a tour of Downtown Crossing last week by Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Of the 1 million square feet of retail space, about 60,000 square feet or 6 percent is vacant. That figure does not include another 60,000 square feet of space that is in the pipeline.
Menino, with a bull horn in hand, touted the pluses of the city’s largest retail center, which has struggled in recent years as storefronts have gone empty. Critics say despite efforts to improve Downtown Crossing, shoppers seem to prefer the tony shops at Copley Place, the Prudential Center and Newbury Street. But others say the area that includes Washington Street continues to be a place where working people can buy clothes and other essentials at affordable prices.
The Filene’s site is undergoing a major redevelopment. The $700 million One Franklin project could help transform the area with a 38-story tower, including 1.2 million square feet of space for retail, hotel, office and condominiums.
On the heels of One Franklin, a New York-based developer is expected to file plans soon for a $200 million mixed-use project in the district. If approved, Midwood Investment & Development would demolish four stores along Washington Street and three on Bromfield Street, and replace them with a 28-story tower.
The upper floors will offer 260 apartments, with six floors of retail space and parking on the lower levels. Upon completion, the project is expected to attract several new retail tenants to the city’s shopping district. The developer has agreed to work with the existing tenants to find them new space during construction.
“It still needs to go through the approval process, but from what I can see it seems like a promising site for redevelopment,” Mayor Thomas M. Menino told Banker & Tradesman.
The project would be located across the street from One Franklin. The 39-story, mixed-use One Franklin project is expected to bring 300,000 square feet of retail, 166 condominiums, a 280-room hotel and 475,000 square feet of office space.
Paul Davis, a spokesman for Midwood Investment, said the firm wants to expand their investments in Boston.
“We are confident that our development will provide exciting new housing and retail opportunities which will further enliven the Down-town Crossing district,” Davis said.
