1.5 min readBy Published On: March 22nd, 2017Categories: News7 Comments on The Bug House development approved

The old Broadway Theatre has been shuttered decades but now it will be developed and breathing new life into the vacant building.  The Boston Planning and Development Agency approved the plans

According to a Boston Globe article written by Jon Chesto,  the building at 420 West Broadway will be converted into a residential development with 42 units and retail space.  The West Broadway Theatre LLC – owned by developer Brian Crowley from Quincy has filed plans with the Boston Planning & Development Agency.

According to the proposal, there are two sections of the large building.  The back building building will be demolished and replaced with a six-story building with an underground garage with parking for 42 cars.  The garage will be accessed by Athens Street.

The two-story brick portion of the front of the building facing West Broadway will be renovated and restored for a residential lobby and retail or restaurant space.

Here is the official notification from the BPDA:

Approved mixed-use building featuring 42 residential units and approximately 1,350 square feet of local retail space. 420 West Broadway will be located on the site of the shuttered Broadway Theater in South Boston. The section of the existing theater building facing Athens Street will be demolished, and the former theater lobby facing West Broadway will be repurposed and restored into a residential lobby and retail space.

Residential units at 420 West Broadway will include 11 studios, 20 one-bedrooms and 11 two-bedrooms. Resident amenities will include a roof deck. 5 units at 420 West Broadway will be designated affordable. 42 garaged vehicle parking spaces will be located both at grade and underneath the building. 42 bicycle storage spaces will also be provided. The 420 West Broadway site is located a short walk to the Andrew and Broadway MBTA Red Line stations and frequent bus service.

So there you go!  Boy, oh boy, is that block of West Broadway changing! 

Remembering The Bug House! 

7 Comments

  1. George M January 11, 2017 at 2:53 pm - Reply

    We need a 55 plus building this could work here or maybe at Edison plant.

  2. Susan Nalband January 11, 2017 at 6:48 pm - Reply

    Not so creative! Looks like just more of the same. The community needs some distinctive ventures.

    • Typical Millennial January 17, 2017 at 2:11 pm - Reply

      Supply and demand doesn’t have time for creativity. People can barely make rent in this neighborhood.

  3. Steve March 20, 2017 at 9:52 pm - Reply

    I thought there was an iron clad requirement that there would need to be 1.5 parking spaces for all new units in Southie. How was this approved with 1.0 spaces per unit?

    • Jay March 22, 2017 at 6:26 pm - Reply

      Steve, that is under the new zoning that only very recently went into effect. This project is under the old zoning because of when it was filed.

      Secondly, the new zoning is not iron clad. People can still seek variances. Though the Mayor’s office may not want variances to be granted, the ZBA does not report to the Mayor. Appeals for variances must be heard by law, even though they may or may not be granted.

      • Steve March 24, 2017 at 6:35 pm - Reply

        Thanks Jay!

  4. Anthony March 21, 2017 at 1:46 pm - Reply

    Just thinking of the rat population that’s been in that building since it shut down… Broadway is going to be fun once they have to find new homes ..

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