Mixed-use

Nubian Ascends Project Hits Milestone

Nubian Square Ascends / Rendering courtesy of Nubian Ascends Partners, LLC

Boston – Nubian Ascends recently received unanimous approval from the City of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeal, marking another milestone in the process for the Nubian Square project.

The redevelopment of the former Blair Supermarket parking lot will be made up of a 219,000sf campus for commerce, education, entertainment, and art. It is designed to serve as a centerpiece of urban rejuvenation in the neighborhood and provide needed resources for the community.

“This is more than just a real estate project, it is an opportunity to bring real jobs, create a centralized place for arts and culture, and give opportunities to students in Roxbury in the ever-growing life science industry,” said Richard Taylor of the Nubian Square development team.

Highlighted by seven floors of an office/lab training facility, the one floor Life Science Training Center will build a pipeline for Roxbury students into well-paying jobs by harnessing local talent and removing barriers to access. To date, training partnerships have been established with the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, and Roxbury Community College. This concept will also support Boston’s life science industry locally, providing qualified workers to fill Boston’s life science jobs, while helping students seeking professional careers.

At the center of the development will be the Greater Roxbury Arts and Cultural Center (GRACC), a 310-seat performance arts theatre along with a marketplace and culinary arts center. Adjacent to GRACC, Nubian Ascends will create significant open space in a pedestrian-focused public realm extending to 25% of the lot footprint. The project will feature a large flexible plaza at the corner of Palmer and Washington Streets, and an “Artist’s Way” that runs through the project site connecting that plaza to Harrison Ave. Both Nubian Plaza and Artist’s Way will be used for active dining, cultural events and local shopping opportunities.

In addition, 15 units of housing will be created with 10 of those affordable, and preference for local artists. The development will also include a 315-car public garage.