news & press

City officials have signed off on a new studio for WBZ-TV in Allston, which could in turn make room for more large-scale new development in the fast-changing neighborhood. A venture between two veteran Boston developers — National Development and Mount Vernon Co. — won Boston Planning & Development Authority approval Thursday to build a 63,000-square-foot studio along Soldiers Field Road.

Boston - The trek began over two years ago and the finished vision will take at least as long to be realized, but a significant milestone is being celebrated in approval of a 21st century television studio for media staple WBZ being built under a joint venture between Mount Vernon Co. and National Development.

Beacon Communities and Mount Vernon Company (MVC) have entered into a purchase agreement with YW Boston to preserve the historic 140 Clarendon Street YWCA Boston property in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. The property will maintain a mix of residential, commercial, educational, and cultural uses and will convert the 66-room hotel and 118 apartments into 210 affordable apartments. Nearly half will be set aside as permanent supportive housing for individuals who have previously experienced homelessness.

The longtime home of Boston’s YWCA will soon get a new life as affordable housing in one of the city’s swankiest neighborhoods. Developers Beacon Communities and Mount Vernon Co. are set to file plans with the city Friday to convert the 13-story building at the corner of Clarendon and Stuart streets in the Back Bay into a 210-unit affordable housing development, with nearly half set aside as permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless people.

The Mount Vernon Company has completed construction of the Radius Apartments, a 132 unit multifamily community located at 530 Western Avenue in Brighton, MA. The building will earn green building certification through LEED Multifamily Midrise v2010. LEED is a comprehensive certification program that takes a holistic view of building sustainability, including low impact site and landscaping; water efficiency; energy efficiency; low-impact and healthy materials; and high indoor air quality.

It takes a special kind of property to reflect its location and culture, but it takes a truly interesting property to reflect its history, and then share that with guests through design. Newly opened, The Revolution Hotel in Boston not only showcases the city’s storied past through its decor and art installations but is a piece of artwork itself.

Another boutique hotel is coming to the South End, this one with an unusual spin on the city’s history, from fine arts to disco. Mount Vernon Co. said it will open the Revolution Hotel later this year, turning the former YWCA at 40 Berkeley St. into a 164-room hotel that will “reflect Boston’s rich history of notable innovations, rebellious individuals and revolutionary events.”

BOSTON—Some investors buy on the margin. In Allston-Brighton, Mount Vernon Co. just bought on the hyphen. The homegrown firm led by founding principal Bruce Percelay paid $12 million Friday for 103 North Beacon St. a 27,350-sf commercial building Boston Realty Advisors listed for sale this March, the well-regarded 1.5-acre property serving as longtime home to Wolfers Lighting and its elaborate showroom.