May 15, 2025 - Real Estate

Market trouble speeds South Boston Edison revamp to open housing

Mike Deehan

a building being demolished — The former Edison power plant in South Boston's demolition and redevelopment. Photo: David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The group behind the reinvention of the former Edison power plant in South Boston is recalibrating the project to open housing units sooner.

Why it matters: Changing market conditions since planning began in 2016 forced the developers into a strategic pivot on the 1.7-million-square-foot project at Summer and East 1st Streets.

Driving the news: HRP Group says they're prioritizing more than 600 housing units amid a challenging market, the Boston Business Journal first reported.

The initial plan had been to bring commercial space online first.

What they're saying: "Clearly the commercial real estate industry ... is very challenged to get off the ground right now," HRP Group executive VP for mixed-use development Melissa Schrock told the BBJ.

By the numbers: Six buildings are planned for the 776 Summer St. site.

860,000 square feet of office and R&D space is now being delayed to make way for housing.
Nearly 6 acres of open space are included in the development.

Catch up quick: The project includes preservation of the Edison building's historic brick turbine halls from the late 19th century and will connect segments of the Boston Harborwalk.

What's next: Construction on housing units could begin as early as 2026.

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Market trouble speeds South Boston Edison revamp to open housing

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