South Bay (shopping center)

South Bay (previously South Bay Center) is a shopping center in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It is located off I-93, US 1, Route 3, near the transition from the Southeast Expressway to the Central Artery traveling through Downtown Boston.

South Bay
Aerial view of South Bay (2019)
Map
Coordinates42°19′41″N 71°03′47″W / 42.328°N 71.063°W / 42.328; -71.063
Address8 Allstate Road, Boston, Massachusetts, US
Opening date1994; 30 years ago (1994)
Previous namesSouth Bay Center
DeveloperSamuels & Associates
ManagementEdens
OwnerEdens
ParkingFree outdoor and garage parking
Public transit accessAndrew:
Newmarket:
Websitebostonsouthbay.com

South Bay was established initially as a strip-mall shopping center in 1998.

History edit

 
District Avenue, within South Bay

South Bay was established as a suburban-style strip mall. The developer, having bought the center in 1998, expanded it eight years later.

In 2015, the developer announced plans for implementation of a new, urban street grid, pedestrian orientation, mixed land uses, structured parking, and acute attention to the details of dynamic public space. The project called for 475 apartments, a 130-room hotel, 12-screen cinema, 113,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and parking, plotted on a 9.9-acre residential and commercial development.[1]

The project encompasses 10 parcels on Allstate Road, West Howell and Enterprise streets, and Baker and Field courts — formerly largely vacant, commercial/industrial land and parking lots south of South Bay Center. However, Councilor Frank Baker had significant concerns for neighbors regarding managing traffic around the expanded complex.[2]

Surrounding area edit

Since 2014 the area surrounding the shopping center has experienced a significant increase in homeless and drug addled adults as a result of near by area known as 'Mass and Cass'.

References edit

  1. ^ "South Bay owner planning an addition to shopping plaza - Boston Herald, Aug 6, 2015". Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "Major expansion proposed for South Bay shopping center (Feb. 11, 2015)". Retrieved June 8, 2020.

External links edit