National Development has released a completely revamped plan to redevelop the old Boston Herald property in the South End along Harrison Avenue, the Globe is reporting (sub. required).

If you recall, the previous redevelopment proposal was largely panned as boring and uninspiring, basically converting the old structure and putting 262 new apartments and retail inside.

But now National Development, which effectively controls the property, has proposed four new buildings with 475 apartments, more than 80,000 square feet of retail (including a grocery store of some sorts), and other amenities.

The Globe graphic looks pretty sharp — and residents are quoted as saying it’s a much better plan than the initial idea for the site. We tend to agree.

The Herald recently moved out of One Herald Square, as its old site was known, to the Seaport area, opening the way for redevelopment of the six-acre property. The Herald’s publisher apparently still owns a piece of the property, but National Development is the one calling the shots.

File under: Progress

An update — Since we posted this morning, Boston.com has put up the story, no subscription required. Check it out.

The Boston Herald is moving its operations from the Sound End to Seaport, starting next year. Dan Kennedy notes the 50,000 square feet the Herald is leasing sounds like a lot – and that could be good news.

But the big question is: What will happen to the Herald’s old site on Harrison Avenue? The Herald and its development partner, National Development, have submitted a plan to redevelop the site into 262 luxury apartments and nearly 64,000 square feet of retail space.

Strangely, some South End neighbors, who are usually known for their obstructionist NIMBY ways, have criticized the Herald plan as not being ambitious enough.

So stay tuned.

File under: Hold the presses!

The Herald is reporting that its current 6.2 acre site at 300 Harrison Ave. could be developed into 262 luxury apartments and 64,000 square feet of retail space.

The Herald, which no longer prints its paper at its plant on Harrison Avenue, had previously teamed up with National Development to come up with a development plan for the site bounded by Harrison, Albany, Herald and Traveler streets. But the 2008 Wall Street crash put those plans on hold. Now they’re resurrecting the idea.

The Herald’s goal is eventually to move its news, circulation and advertising staffs to another location.

File under: Hold Move the presses!

Click on link to view real estate video: Back Bay and South End condo prices

The real estate market may not be booming. But there’s a niche market that’s faring quite well.  One-room condos in the high-end neighborhoods of Boston may be tiny, but their price tags are big.

 The golden rule of real estate is location, location, location. And a number of studio condos in the South End and Back Bay have it.

Back Bay Condos

1. 396 Beacon Street: Asking price $249,000 –  sq ft 332.

2. 364 Marlborough Street: Asking price $249,000 – sq ft 312.

3. 76 Commonwealth Ave: Asking price $269,000 – sq ft 290

Click on chart to enlarge.

Boston South End Condo Sales Stats for October 2010

Lowest paid Boston South End condo – $325,000

Highest paid Boton South End condo – $1,560,000

Median sales price of a South End condo – $574,000

Average sales price of a South End condo – $654,484

Boston South End condo market sales voulme – $20,320,000

comparing to October 2009…

Boston South End Condo Sales Stats for October 2009

Lowest paid Boston South End condo – $41,000

Highest paid Boton South End condo – $3,725,000

Median sales price of a South End condo – $555,000

Average sales price of a South End condo – $717,765

Boston South End condo market sales voulme – $20,815,177