BOSTON – Boston Realty Advisors has completed leasing 30,000 square feet of new retail space on the lower three floors of the iconic, newly restored Abbot building at the heart of Harvard Square.
The 60,000-square foot building is located at the intersection of Brattle and JFK streets, across from Harvard Square’s main intersection from the MBTA Red Line Station and kiosk, formerly Out of Town News.
"The Abbot has been years in the making, and together with Regency Centers at the helm we were able to realize what is a great vision for The Abbot,” said Whitney Gallivan, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Realty Advisors.
Occupying the retail portion of The Abbot will be Central Rock Gym, joined by local favorites El Jefe’s Taqueria and The Comedy Studio. Other tenants include Tiger Sugar, F45 Training, Cava, Starbucks, and Chase Bank.
“My team has been leasing this intensively before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and post pandemic,” Gallivan said. “We gave it our full focus, and it’s fulfilling for us, Regency Centers and for the City of Cambridge to now see the lights on, retailers open and the construction complete.”
Regency Centers redeveloped four-story The Abbot and two adjacent buildings, located at 1-30 Brattle with storefronts on both Brattle and JFK. The complex features creative retail and office space with modern and environmentally considerate accommodations.
“Merchandising is an incredibly important element of this redevelopment and renovation,” said Sam Stiebel, Vice President of Investments for Regency Centers. “The mix of local favorites, dynamic new-to-market concepts, and national operators is key to the long-term health of this property. Boston Realty has been integral to those efforts, and their market-knowledge and ability has proven second-to-none.”
Equity One purchased The Abbot and two adjacent buildings in 2016 and was acquired by Regency Centers in 2017. The upper-floor office spaces are being leased by JLL.
The prominent colonial revival style property, thoughtfully revitalized by blending historical preservation with modern amenities, was built in 1908 and designed by Newhall and Blevins, which also designed the Boston City Club, the Inman Square Fire Station, and many churches and schools.
