Acquisition strategy involved a value-added play, rolling below market tenants to market rents and increasing occupancy in the four under-leased buildings (340,000 SF). These assets will then be sold, along with two stabilized Class A office buildings (205,000 SF).

From Archon Group website


To download the 2006 publication of Archon's glossy "Vision" as a PDF, click here.

[The above document was used as leverage in public 100-Acre planning discussions to gain support for upzoning of Archon/Goldman's original portfolio, most of which has since been flipped for office space. To read a 2006 Boston Globe article proclaiming Archon/Goldman's "Vision" click here.]


To read how Archon/Goldman's Vision "clouded over" after upzoning through the 100-Acre PDA, click here.
To read a related series of threads on upzoning, flipping and cherry-picking of variances, click here.


4/1/08


click on image to view actual screenshot

Archon Group's website reveals company plans that included the "rolling," flipping of its historic buildings once the properties were upzoned by the BRA. These plans ran counter to the mixed-use "Vision" outlined by Archon Group in the company's pubished and widely publicized plan for Fort Point (download above).

The "clouding over" of Archon/Goldman's "Vision" was not the simply the result of changing economic conditions. In fact, the quiet flipping of historic buildings in Archon's portfolio began early and ran in a parallel track along with the public relations efforts marketing the Archon/Goldman "Vision" and the pursuit of new height and density under the 100 Acres Plan.

From Archon Group's website:

SAND Question: Why wasn't the above "value-added play" stated in community meetings? Instead, standing side by side with the BRA, Archon Group and its development partner Goldman Properties published and sold a glossy "vision" of a shiny, new neighborhood to the City, the media and the Fort Point community. At the same time, the "rolling" of "below market tenants to market rents" resulted in the displacement of scores of artists and cultural non-profits, many of whom moved out of Boston.

From Archon Group's website:

SAND Question: At SAND, we call this "upzoning." Does anyone know why Archon meritted the added value of 500,000 square feet? Where is the EXACT value of their contribution to the 100-Acre Plan published?

From Archon Group's website

SAND Question: Contrary to producing a wealth of residential conversions of Historic buildings to achieve some semblance of its "Vision," Archon/Goldman A) flipped six of the fourteen historic buildings in its original porfolio for use as office space, B) filed a development proposal including a rooftop addition and new infill of three historic buildings for use as office space, and C) sought approval to develop a new tower (that would require the demolition of one historic building (319 A Street) and the gutting of another (337 Summer).

So, what happened to the five residential conversions mentioned in Archon Group's plans? Are they office space today? Why did the BRA recently imply in the Boston Globe that the bulk of Fort Point's residential planning was not planned to include these and other historic buildings, when the community had been led to believe otherwise during the planning process, and led to believe otherwise from the glossy "visions" of Archon/Goldman?

Can anyone find even ONE of Archon Group's residential conversions on the map today?

How much was the BRA-approved "additional 500,000 SF of FAR" in Archon's "value-added play" worth in profit to Archon Group? Shouldn't the BRA have immediately and transparently directed all added value toward some semblance of a "vision" beyond Archon's flipping of added value for the production of more office space in a district of 87% office space?

Can anyone find evidence of a BRA-directed planning effort rolling out on the ground in Fort Point as Archon successfully achieved its "value-added play"?

Why did the BRA exempt nearly half of Archon's porfolio from proper planning and zoning, simply because the historic buildings were outside the bounds of the 100-Acre plan?


The following is a copy-and-pasted version of the text on the Archon website.


Boston Wharf Portfolio

Building value through the acquisition, development, financing and disposition of real estate investments, Archon seeks commercial acquisition opportunities that generate immediate and sustainable cash flow and strong current yields.

Targeted properties include Class B or higher properties with high credit tendencies and minimum lease rollover in the first several years.  Focusing on properties with updated wiring and ample parking in major metropolitan markets, Archon Commercial offers expedited due diligence and closing timeframes.

Property Name: Boston Wharf Portfolio
City: Boston
State: MA
Size:1,200,000 SF
Year Built: Built in the early 1900's

Boston Wharf Portfolio Details


Your comments as a visitor to the SAND website would be appreciated and forwarded for discussion.

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