North End Retail Space - For Rent & Sale
Curious about what's available in terms of retail space in Boston's North End? Boston City Properties is always on top of the available options because we maintain a constantly updated database of real estate listings for this and all other Boston neighborhoods. There's no cost to signing up for access, so there's no risk involved. What's more is that we have a team of retail space leasing and sales experts that can give you the extra helping hand you need to quickly zero in on commercial properties in this neighborhood that will work perfectly for your business.
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Retail Space
Reasons to Lease or Buy Retail Space in the North End
Most people who look for retail space in the North End intend on leasing it. However, many properties are available for purchase too. If you'd like to lease a North End retail property, you'll have to decide which type of lease is right for you. Options include modified gross leases, net leases and full-service leases. With so many considerations to make, it pays to have access to accurate information. Boston City Properties has you covered in that department. Not sure if the North End is right for your business? Considering how well retail businesses have been faring here of late, it's safe to say that you can't go wrong by setting up shop in this trendy neighborhood.
Find Exceptional Retail Space in the North End with Boston City Properties
Locating first-rate retail space in the North End doesn't have to be a headache. People typically struggle because they don't have timely, accurate information. Do yourself a favor and sign up for access to Boston City Properties' free real estate listings. They include listings for retail and commercial properties in and around the North End, so you can quickly identify viable opportunities in the area. Our team is always happy to help too, so sign up to view our listings or get in touch with us today.
Typical Properties
Many of the buildings in this neighborhood date from the mid 19th century, and boast renovated interiors that preserve period details while incorporating the best of contemporary design. Although some structures have visibly modern additions to their exteriors, the density and street life of the 19th and 20th centuries is very much preserved, creating an easily walkable metropolis.
With its elaborate steel canopy above the entryway on the corner, the property at 380 Commercial Street is both visually memorable and highly accessible. With 10,000 square feet of total leasable area, this structure has suites of 952 square feet available on the ground floor, and includes basement storage. The interiors are lit by banks of slender rectangular panes that are punched into the tan brick facade, which has retained its historic look while keeping up with contemporary norms. With 45 feet of street frontage, the structure is only 0.5 miles from the nearest subway stop, and 0.7 miles from nearest MBTA Commuter Rail line.
With five stories of beautiful brick, the building at 123 North Washington Street was built in 1918, and has many of the charming period details from that era. A line of decorative marks running along the top of the building creates a distinctive aesthetic marker. The ground floor commercial suite has very tall ceilings which create a grand, inspiring unit that is simultaneously welcoming to foot traffic and perfect for elaborate displays. The entryway features stone steps and a stainless steel banister, while the interiors have polished hardwood floors and exposed ceilings. Some walls have been refurbished to showcase the original brick and beam construction. A central staircase provides stunning views of the surrounding city as it climbs from the first floor to the second. A glass partition wall seperates the second floor space from the stairwell while simultaneously allowing for more natural light and a greater sense of room. With 37,000 square feet, this structure has suites of 2,200 and 4,513 square feet available. Located 0.2 miles from the North Station, and 0.3 miles from the MBTA Commuter Rail line, this property is highly accessible.
Located on 226 Causeway Street, the base of the mid high-rise brick building was built in 1907, while the top three stories appear to have been added later on, as they incorporate a glass and steel canopy that spans the entire structure, providing spectacular views of the surrounding city and harbor. The ground floor commercial suites are sheltered by yellow canopies that add vibrancy at the street level, and act as draws for foot traffic. Each of the massive windows is divided into seperate parts by classic mullions, while the building itself curves to make the most of its corner lot. With 225,000 square feet of available space, suites of 7,400 square feet are available. The floor plans are relatively configurable, although some units do come with built-in furnishings. Located 0.2 miles from the nearest subway stop and 3.5 miles from Logan International Airport, this structure is very easy to access.
Meanwhile, the property at 98 North Washington Street has an elongated brick facade that spans the better part of a block. Built in 1920, this 80,258 square foot structure has ground floor commercial suites with high ceilings and immediate street access. A stone frame surrounds each of the units, which house floor to ceiling windows. The interiors feature carpeted flooring and flourescent lights that hang from the exposed brick and beam ceilings. Exposed brick walls compliment the fresh plaster walls in the recently renovated structure. Suites of 1,205 square feet to 4,762 square feet are available for lease.
Average Renting and Buying Prices
The average rent for a commercial suite in this neighborhood is $4.50 a square foot, while the average purchase price is $800 a square foot.
The property at 57-59 Salem Street was built in 1890, and has remained in excellent condition thanks to recent renovations. The brick exterior is interrupted by a white wooden frame that holds the prominent display panes, creating a welcoming corner shop. Located on a busy pedestrian street, the shop is located within an 8,472 square foot building that includes a 450 square foot basement. Located 0.2 miles from the Haymarket Station and 0.5 miles from the North Station Commuter Rail line, this property is easy to access, and features a large blue canopy on which business signage can be placed. Ideal for a small business, the 504 square foot commercial suite on the ground floor recently was placed on the market for a rent of $5.83 a square foot per month.
Meanwhile, the commercial suites at 85-89 Salem Street are housed within a modernist frame. Built in 1920, the structure has display windows that push out into the sidewalk, creating a sheltered nook for the entryway. The brick exterior is minimized in favor of the amount of glass and steel framing on display, which creates an appealing tension between the materials, as well as an arresting visual facade. Signage is located above the suites on a long placard. Historic street lamps provide illumination at night. With 5,121 square feet of total area, the structure has suites of 1,400 square feet available for lease. Within easy walking distance of numerous subway stations, the MBTA Commuter Rail line, and 3.3 miles from Logan International Airport, the property is exceptionally easy to reach. The rent for this structure is $4.58 a square foot per month.
The property at 33-68 Commercial Wharf was built in 1832, and is one of the most distinctive properties on the waterfront. With 188,270 square feet of total area, the vintage building is made up of numerous smaller suites that are appointed with carpets, drop tile ceilings, and exposed brick walls that have been painted white. The stone and concrete block exterior is splashed with color in the form of blue doors and vividly accented windows. The views from almost any of the five stories are spectacular; in addition to the harbor, the skyline of downtown Boston is clearly visible, and within easy walking distance. Located 0.2 miles from the Aquarium Station and 0.8 miles from the MBTA Commuter Rail line, this structure recently listed a unit of 1,264 for sale at $850,000, or $672.47 per square foot.
Meanwhile, the property at 380 Commercial Street mentioned in the “typical properties” section above has a unit of 952 square feet listed for sale at $980,000, or $1,029.41 a square foot.
Real Estate News
The historic lineage of this neighborhood has created a split in the types of projects undertaken here. Many developments are focused on preserving or improving elements that already exist, such as the North Square refurbishment project. This project, which was undertaken in 2017, aimed to replace all of the cobblestones in the area to make it easier for people with disabilities to access the plaza. The project also was focused on putting in better lighting and resetting the nautical chains at the perimeter of the area. However, not everything is about restoring the past exactly as it was: upgrades and innovative new uses are also part of the work carried out in this neighborhood. The work done at the North Square follows efforts to transform the 3,600 square foot building adjacent to the Paul Revere House, which was built in 1835, into an Education and Visitor center with restrooms and exhibit areas. There are also plans to replace the North Washington Street Bridge, which bears an iconic truss that juts above the waterline.
The second type of project most commonly proposed in this area is of course brand new development. The North End Waterfront has become a particularly hot zone for proposals, which has prompted discussion among residents and condominium boards about the future of the area. Several parcels, including those located at Sargent’s Wharf, Commercial Wharf, Atlantic Avenue, Lewis Wharf, Commercial Street and Clark Street have recently either moved forward with building proposals or are in the midst of considering new projects. Each of these projects has been careful to consider the factors of both historical preservation and likely sea level rise, which will transform the waterfront by 2070. Essentially, new projects must carefully consider how they plan to support new developments on existing pilings or piers.
However, these are largely technical issues that do not preclude new, mixed-use development. A case in point is the property at 88-91 Commercial Wharf East, which is currently proposed to become a newer, perhaps more expanded version of the previous 16,000 square foot properties that existed here. The new project would add a harborwalk to the site as well as new commercial suites that would likely become restaurants, although other commercial purposes have not been ruled out of the plans.
The emphasis on creating publicly accessible spaces while retaining the charm and density of the original neighborhood makes this neighborhood a particularly interesting one for new developments. Large properties have long made this area their home; new hotels, commercial buildings, and performance spaces will likely continue to built in the footprint of older structures. In March 2017, a 14 story hotel was approved in this neighborhood.
Sign Up Benefits
What is the best way to find properties in this highly desirable neighborhood? While anyone can browse the online listings, only the select few will sign up for our viewing service and reap the benefits. Not only do we make it easy to view the latest listings, we take the hassle out of lining up appointments.
This historic neighborhood has witnessed a number of new additions, renovations, and expansions in the last few years. We can help our clients find the commercial suites that best suit their needs at a price that matches their budget. How do we do this? We start by understanding what our clients need. When you sign up for our service, we attempt to understand specifically what you are seeking in terms of property amenities. Many of our clients are seeking custom build outs, while others would prefer some furnishings, or simply are seeking a location on a very specific street. Some are trying to house a small business, while others are attempting to find a property suitable for hundreds of employees. Whatever size your company is, we can direct your search to save you time and help you find specifically what you’re looking for.
The second part of our process is based on the years we’ve spent researching the market and understanding how to secure the best properties with the best terms. Many property owners are seeking long term tenants, while others are hoping to find a flexible arrangement. Whatever the terms are, we excel at matching like-minded tenants and property owners.
We’ve been actively monitoring proposed developments along the waterfront as well as renovation projects along Commercial Street and Washington Street. We believe that the coming years will see a boom in newly approved projects that will create millions of square feet of prime commercial suites. For those who sign up for our viewing service, we will likely be able to offer some of the first viewings of these properties when they are ready to be seen, ahead of the public. Our clients will also enjoy being able to be part of our vast network of contacts, which can help them meet the designers, developers, and brokers who are helping to shape the new look of this neighborhood. In some cases, we can arrange meetings that will facilitate the design of a commercial unit to our client’s specific criteria well before ground is ever broken.
We also place a special emphasis on arranging viewings in a helpful and timely logistical manner. Our clients can count on an itinerary that schedules viewings in a logical, time-efficient manner. We won’t stop working until you’ve found the perfect suite. Sign up today and experience our full range of services and benefits!
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Retail Space