The Smith Opened its First Phase in South End Neighborhood
Residential Development Offers Modern Industrial Design, Handcrafted by Nature
View of roof deck pool and Boston skyline at The Smith (Photo by Ed Wonsek)
The Smith, developed by Leggat McCall Properties and Bentall GreenOak with architecture by CBT and landscape design by Halvorson | Tighe & Bond Studio, opened its first phase. Our team visited the outdoor spaces this fall with photographer Ed Wonsek to capture the new residential development in Boston which offers a contemporary living experience steeped in the industrial and artistic heritage of its South End neighborhood.
This multi-phase project sits on 3.1 acres of land and will include two state-of-the-art buildings with ground floor amenities that offer a mix of uses, including retail, restaurant, and cultural space. Phase 1 of the project features 300 apartments, including 30 affordable residential units, in a U-shaped building that wraps around a large courtyard.
The design team struck a comfortable balance between active gathering and passive secluded uses within the ground floor courtyard. A powerful indoor/outdoor connection is felt in the lobby as tenants gaze into the courtyard through a grove of birch trees underplanted with lush ferns. The courtyard features a mix of spaces, with lounge furniture clustered around a stone fire pit and whimsical catenary lighting sparkling above, making it a popular spot both day and night. Further into the courtyard, tenants can wander into one of many secluded nooks, under the dappled shade of tree canopies above, and enjoy a more intimate garden setting.
In the heart of this much sought-after neighborhood, The Smith’s roof deck amenity terrace distinguishes itself by offering something for every discerning tenant. This vast exterior space is carved into the architecture to offer sheltered, outdoor opportunities year-round. The lower deck features lounge seating, fireplaces, and areas for gathering and entertaining while providing a direct connection to the interior amenity spaces.
Additional lounge furniture and fire pits scattered around the roof offer stunning views of the city beyond. When the summer months arrive, residents can take in the panoramic views while going for a dip in the swimming pool or enjoy the outdoor kitchen and grill stations.
Halvorson collaborated with the project team to create a streetscape with tree-lined edges, pedestrian open spaces, and retail storefronts to offer nodes of activity and a sense of place in this lively residential corridor.
“We wanted to tap into the history of this part of Boston,” said Sam Reiche, vice president, and partner at Leggat McCall Properties. “The look is modern industrial on the outside, and inside it’s handcrafted in nature, coming from that maker and artist influence.”
Read more coverage of The Smith via Real Estate Boston.
Larger gathering area at The Smith (Photo by Ed Wonsek)