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Boston high rise condos: What’s a mixed use development?

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Boston high rise condos: What’s a mixed use development?

You have have seen it abbreviated as “MUD” and you’ve almost certainly seen it mentioned in the news or in your local neighborhood meeting. But what does it mean, and why do there seem to be so many popping up in Boston Midtown and downtown Boston

Mixed use developments

In short, a Mixed-Use Development is a feature of urban development that blends commercial, residential, social, and sometimes industrial uses into one congruent area. They’re generally defined as being more pedestrian-friendly than other car heavy parts of town, and the most common iteration you see nowadays is a large commercial shopping promenade topped with residential, multi-family housing.

It’s important to remember that there is no unilateral definition for the term. A MUD property in Minnesota might have different parameters and requirements under zoning laws that one here in downtown Boston And in some cases, neighborhood and city restrictions can also impact the layout, density, and use of these kinds of developments, too. 

The myriad benefits of Mixed-Use Developments on growing cities have been much touted. They’re said to create stronger community bonds, encourage more walking and biking, and reduce the distance between work and home leading to shorter commutes. People who love them say they’re a great solution for those looking for walkable, multi-family housing with less maintenance than a single family home. They’re also instrumental in some communities in making sure lower-income residents have easy access to commercial businesses such as grocery stores and doctor’s offices.

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But why so many MUDs in Boston

Well, for starters, Boston Midtown is a flourishing city. Mixed-Use Developments are the easiest way to accommodate dense urban growth, and a lot of Boston Midtown condo high rise building over the last decade has been centered around infill properties. MUDs are also highly conducive to rental as opposed to ownership properties because of the height and density that naturally comes with them. As a young, fast-moving city, Boston Midtown still having trouble keeping up with demand for rental properties even though it seems like a new apartment building is going up on every corner.

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Some of the most interesting Mixed-Use Developments in downtown Boston metro area contain many elements of a successful urban neighborhood. These Boston Midtown high rise condo buildings blends dozens of desirable brand-named stores and restaurants with needed apartment rentals and Boston luxury condos by national builders. Likewise, several large Mixed-Use properties are currently being developed in some of the most desirable parts of town, like Seaport District, to accommodate the need for more water view housing. Residents love being able to live in income-restricted properties, and builders love the tax benefits they receive from building such developments. It’s a win-win.

Would you like to live in a mixed-use development in Boston Midtown? Does the appeal of walking to restaurants and stores outweigh the smaller square footage and added traffic?  Give Janet a call at 617.721.9504 for additional information 

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