West Roxbury Retail Space - For Rent & Sale

Typical Properties

With a mixture of relatively open spaces and dense urban centers, the typical commercial suites in this neighborhood are comprised of strip malls and other fairly dense complexes that emphasize onsite parking. This does not preclude the existence of freestanding structures that are close to dense downtown centers, nor multi-story structures that feature ground floor units suited to commercial ventures. However, much like a neighborhood like the Seaport District or the Financial District, this area is still open for a variety of different development schemes.

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The property at 5192-5194 Washington Street is located at the intersection of two prominent boulevards, and constitutes one of the denser sections of the area. Built in 1955, the two story building has a brick and masonry structure that has been beautifully maintained. A series of elaborate geometric display windows look out onto a sidewalk, and vivid canopies provide shelter and an aesthetic flourish on the exterior. With both high pedestrian and vehicular traffic, this ground floor suite of 800 square feet is perfect for a number of different business and boutique ventures. The structure is located 2.0 miles from the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail line.

Meanwhile, the property at 1580 VFW Parkway is an example of the abundant amounts of space and ease of parking that distinguishes many of the structures in this area. With a total leasable area of 107,000 square feet, the complex features a number of individual commercial units joined together. An enormous parking lot surrounds the complex, which is located close to the Upper Washington/Spring Street neighborhood. Large signage that is clearly visible from the street makes it attractive to passing motorists, while an orange awning provides additional space for lettering and signs. The ground floor suites each have ample display windows. Some of the larger units have a stairway that leads to an elevated front porch area. Suites ranging in size from 12,743 square feet to 17,000 square feet are available for lease.

The property at 1857-1931 Center Street is located in the center of the neighborhood, and features a grand total of 60,000 square feet of gross leasable space. With a stone masonry construction, the single story building has four principal units that face out onto the sidewalk. A series of mounted spotlights near the roof line provides illumination on the business signage below, which is lettered onto the glass display windows. The building is highly accessible; located 0.3 miles from the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail line, the property is only 11.8 miles from Logan International Airport, and is within a one mile radius of 26,088 residents. Parking is available both on the street and within two nearby municipal parking lots. Built in 2003, the property has a commercial suite of 760 square feet available for lease.

In keeping with the preference for large onsite parking lots, the property at 75 Spring Street is located near the center of town on an enormous asphalt lot. With 58,000 square feet of leasable space, the commercial property was built in 1973 and has been well maintained. The parking lot is surrounded by other commercial properties as well as other residences, and is located 0.5 miles from the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail line. Approximately 133,000 people live within a radius of three miles. A unit of 3,109 square feet recently came up for lease.

Average Renting and Buying Prices

Generally speaking, the average rate for a commercial lease in this region is about $2.50 a square foot per month, although this price can vary depending on the amenities provided with each property. The average purchase price for a commercial property or lot is roughly $190.00 per square foot.

The property at 1942 Centre Street is a parcel of commercially zoned land with a preexisting structure that is located near a bustling section of town known as the Main Street District. The 0.29 acre property is available for a number of redevelopment schemes, including a commercial venture. The sale list price for this parcel is $2,495,000, or roughly $197.00 per square foot.

For those seeking a complex configuration, the property at 1860-1868 Centre Street offers great proximity to nearby businesses in a two story building with an elegant central courtyard. Built in 1985, the property has undergone extensive renovations, and is located only 0.1 miles from the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail line. With a total leasable area of 15,819 square feet, the structure recently placed a ground floor commercial unit of 1,575 square feet on the market for lease. The building is distinguished not only by its sturdy concrete facade, but by the number of both pedestrian walk-ins and visitors who journey by either car or public transit to get here. The rent for this property is $2.50 a square foot per month.

The 23,000 square foot structure at 1524 VFW Parkway is located very close to both the river and the Upper Washington/Spring Street neighborhood. Built in 1969, this building has a colorful exterior facade and gorgeous, expansive interiors with gleaming hardwood floors, drop tile ceilings, and recessed lighting. The bathrooms feature beautifully restored colorful tile patterns, and parking spaces are provided onsite. The complex features a lit pylon sign on the street, and has open floor plans that can be configured to suit specific tenant needs. A suite of 3,000 square feet was recently placed on the market for lease. The rent for this property is $1.75 per square foot per month.

Meanwhile, the property at 1208-B VFW Parkway was built in 1998 and is located very close to both the center of downtown and Millenium Park. The brick and glass structure has an arresting central entryway with a series of glass panes forming a dazzling foyer. An onsite parking lot makes it easy to access, and three floors of suites with large windows gives the interior an airy, spacious feeling. The 37,500 square foot structure recently placed two units of 1,600 square feet on the market for lease. The structure is particularly suited to an enterprise that specializes in medically-related commercial goods. The rent for this structure is $2.08 per square foot per month.

The property at 361 Belgrade Avenue is located in the heart of downtown, and includes two buildings. Currently classified as redevelopment project, the first building has a combined total of 14,700 square feet of leasable area, although a single story build-out project could extend this to 25,000 square feet. The second building has 8,800 square feet of leasable area. Both are located with 0.3 miles of the nearest MBTA Commuter Rail line. The properties were built in 1930, and feature floor to ceiling glass windows that enable those walking on the adjacent sidewalk to easily see the goods displayed inside. Street parking is available. The estimated rent for this property is $1.25 a square foot per month.

Finally, the 4,520 square foot property at 95 Rockland Street is classified as a specialty structure, and has been listed for sale at $825,000, or approximately $182.52 per square foot.

Real Estate News

This area benefits from being relatively affordable, yet fairly accessible. Unlike other neighborhoods that have attracted enormous media attention, this region is still something of an investor’s secret, although this is unlikely to remain the case for much longer. In terms of commercial developments, the area is primed for a major wave of redevelopment. Much of the neighborhood is given over to suburban homes and single-family developments. However, numerous properties that had begun life as single story commercial suites near streets of single family homes are rapidly being repurposed into larger, mixed-use projects.

One of the largest developments in the area is the Allendale Residences, which is part of a push by the city of Boston to create 53,000 new units of housing by 2030. The Allandale Residences will feature sixteen units of townhouses built in five distinct clusters. The project also will attain a LEED Platinum rating, in keeping with the goal of creating a net-zero neighborhood, which would be one of Boston’s first such areas. The proposed new units will have wood siding, and be sited in such a way as to create sloping roofs that will make them both visually distinctive and appealing. Lush landscaping, featuring trees and a number of bushes near the perimeter of the buildings, will create the feeling of easily accessible green space.

Because of its relatively lengthy history, the area contains a high number of Victorian homes, many of which have garnered press for their relatively high resale value. Many of these homes have been artfully restored and have subsequently sold for notable amounts. The increasing value of these homes, in combination with an effort to create more affordable housing in the area, is already creating a ripe environment for new mixed-use projects that can capitalize on the heavily populated region. As new residents move into the area, their need for easily accessible commercial suites will increase the value of redevelopment projects. Investors can expect that many of the strip malls and multi-unit, one story complexes will become hotly desirable tracts for new projects. This neighborhood offers a rare opportunity to purchase land now that will rapidly increase in value as the housing market expands.

Arteries such as Weld Street and the VFW Parkway are likely to experience a considerable number of redevelopment projects in the next few years. Meanwhile, more heavily trafficked areas such as Centre Street will probably experience a sharp rise in average rents and purchase prices for existing commercial establishments. The numerous natural woodlands and parks that pepper the area, such as Dunbarton Wood Park, the Centre Marsh Park, and the Hancock Woods, will also likely experience increased rents as developers seek properties that combine easy urban access with lush natural scenery.

The area is primed for this increase partially because of its excellent transit. Unlike some other Boston neighborhoods, the region is already equipped with regular trains, making it accessible from a variety of different vantage points. The highly configurable lots, combined with this ease of access, make this neighborhood a very desirable place for farsighted investors.

Sign Up Benefits

What is the best way to view properties? If you’ve ever spent time trying to find the perfect location for a business or organization, you know that it can be frustrating to try and connect with a broker or building owner. You leave messages; sometimes they are returned, and other times you discover that the listing has already been taken by someone else. It’s a process that is time consuming and provides very little reward.

This is why we encourage you to sign up for our viewing service. Unlike the public listings, our viewing service is tailored to provide convenient showings of the properties you are most interested in at the time you are interested in them. With our service, you don’t have to waste precious time waiting for a returned message. We update our listings constantly, and have developed excellent relationships with a variety of brokers, building owners, and other property holders so that we always get an answer when we reach out to inquire about a property.

This city is on the threshold of major change. With the development of the Allandale Residences and increasing redevelopment interest in several neighborhoods, such as Upper Washington/Spring Street and Brook Farm, an increasing number of investors are starting to monitor this area for potential vacancies and opportunities. Our service gives our clients the advantage by providing up-to-the-minute listings with rapidly arranged viewing appointments.

We also make a point of understanding each of our clients’ specific needs. We believe the best way to search for property is to have a detailed concept of what is being sought. Whether our clients are looking to invest in a multi-story building, a commercial parcel of land, or a single unit in a luxurious, freshly built tower, we can help match our clients with an ideal piece of property as soon as it is ready to be seen. We also thoroughly investigate what kinds of leasing options our clients are seeking, and help create sustainable business partnerships that benefit both parties. Our goal is to foster long term relationships that enhance the community and give our clients the best possible deals in the best possible places.

Investing in commercial suites isn’t just about square feet; it’s about understanding the larger region, and how the makeup of that area influences the business climate. Public transit, local parks, a neighborhood’s walkability and the presence of other businesses all play a role in how properties are leased and sold. We make a point of understanding how all these elements combine, and are sure to help our clients find the ideal place for their company or organization. We also keep tabs on the progress of infrastructural projects, and advise our clients on new opening dates, extensions, and other major policy changes that directly influence rental and sale prices. Depending on each budget, we can offer advice on what properties are likely to experience a significant price increase before that increase takes effect. By signing up today for our viewing service, you can immediately start to benefit from our years of experience.

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