We just noticed this, so it may not be breaking news, but the DNA Lofts in Dorchester is up for auction on February 24. A full 21 units are described as “an additional phase” not added to the development and require interior buildout. Still, the development includes 22 finished units to go on the block. [...]

Looking for an apartment between now and September 1st? According to MLS there’s still plenty to select from:
Back Bay – 103 apts avail.
Beacon Hill – 53 apts avail.
Charlestown – 24 apts avail.
Dorchester – 108 apts avail.
South Boston – 50 apts avail.
South End – 45 apts avail.
Fenway – 25 apts avail.
Waterfront – 64 apts avail.
Looking for [...]

Lets once again take a look at the Boston rental market:
Back Bay – 141 listings
Example: 275 Beacon Street #2B one bedroom – $1,500,00 – 105 days on the maarket.
Beacon Hill – 54 listings
Example: 15 Grove Street two bedroom – $1,800.00 – 161 days on the market.
South End – 72 listings
Example: 75 Chandler Street studio – [...]

Cambridge real estate agent Liz Bolton politely objects to real estate tracker Zillow.com’s methodology for determining the best candy-rich Halloween towns.
Of course density of homes matter, she says. But she adds: “Aim for the neighborhoods with lots of decorations outside – spider webs, door decals, etc. – those will be your Halloween hotspots.”
Ford Realty, [...]

The feds have earmarked $22 million for a complete “green” makeover of Southie’s historic Old Colony housing project. Because the money is from the economic stimulus package, one would assume it’s on a construction fast-track. The story says displaced residents will be found new housing during each phase of construction. But where will they [...]

Present day Dorchester lays claim to being the biggest part of Boston, in terms of land mass and population. But, big as it is today, Dorchester was once much, much larger.
At its height, the town of Dorchester nearly reached the Rhode Island border. It included parts of present day South Boston, Hyde Park, Roxbury, [...]

I was sad to here this morning, that after 17 years in the same location on Charles Street, Ritz Camera is closing down. John Ritz the sole owner of Ritz Camera filed Chapter 11 because the company was unable to obtain bank financing. 1/2 of all Ritz Camera stores will be closing down in the [...]

From the Boston Herald:
Massachusetts will receive $43.6 million, and four cities – Boston, Brockton, Springfield and Worcester – will get a direct allocation totaling $11 million.
Under the program, part of a housing bill Congress passed last fall, cities can use the money to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties and make financing available for the purchase [...]

Rumor has it that the City is proposing turning Salem Street, in Boston’s North End neighborhood, into a grand pedestrian walkway, off-limits to cars.
Anyone else hear this? Would the street remaining open to delivery trucks at any time? Taxis?

Remember the Combat Zone?

Best quote: “The Combat Zone is a mere shadow of its self, with only 35 bookstores remaining …” Boston, circa 1983.
Remember how Hudson Street used to look?

But, soon, Hudson Street will rise again, with housing proposed for the eastern side of the street.
The more things change …
More: Boston’s Chinatown – Asian [...]