Plus, coffee shop championship + Sam Adams commercial
 
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Adding more Downtown housing

BPDA’s Office to Residential Conversion Program explained
Looking up at the buildings in downtown Boston.
This is part of the city’s plan to increase housing options + foot traffic in Downtown. | Photo by @mahernandezg
The BPDA’s first approved project from the Downtown Residential Conversion Incentive Pilot Program is set to add new residential units to a recovering Downtown Boston.

In case you missed it
The new program provides an incentive for developers who convert vacant offices into residential buildings. The overall goal of this program is to increase the housing supply and foot traffic in Downtown Boston. City officials have mostly focused on downtown office buildings — however, projects throughout the city have also been considered.

Who’s up first?
The project at 281 Franklin St. will renovate the existing 11,000-sqft mixed-use office building into 15 residential apartment units. The finished result will include 10 studio units, five one-bedroom units, and three affordable housing units with a ground-level restaurant below.

This was the first applicant approved when the program opened in the fall, and is expected to begin construction in the coming months. The project will also comply with the new Inclusionary Zoning requirements + the new Stretch Energy Code.

Coming up next
BPDA has other applications currently pending for the office-to-apartment conversion incentive program. The largest of these projects would create 150 new residential units. Stay tuned for more updates on the other projects.
Events
Monday, March 18
  • Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons | Monday, March 18 | 7:30 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | Prices vary | Start your week cheering on the C’s.
  • Speed Dating — Ages 25-34 | Monday, March 18 | Castle Island Brewery, 10 Old Colony Ave., Boston | $36 | Enjoy up to 15 five-minute dates + your first drink is included.
Tuesday, March 19
  • The Harriet Hayden Albums: Framing Freedom | Tuesday, March 19 | 4:30 p.m. | Boston Athenaeum, 10 1/2 Beacon St., Boston | Free | The new exhibition centers on two photograph albums once owned by the Beacon Hill-based abolitionist Harriet Bell Hayden.
  • Secret Garden Soiree | Tuesday, March 19 | 6-9 p.m. | Buttermilk and Bourbon, 100 Arsenal Yard Blvd., Watertown | $95 | Tickets include four Aperol cocktails, unlimited food, photo opps, and a goodie bag.
Wednesday, March 20
  • Vino & Vintage | Wednesday, March 20 | 5-8 p.m. | Boston Landing, 123 Guest St., Boston | Free | Shop 10 local vintage collectors, artists, and upcyclers while enjoying a complimentary wine tasting from The Urban Grape and Progressive Pours.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Try This

🎷 New jazz lounge is music to our ears

Try This: New jazz lounge is music to our ears
Presented by a BOStoday Partner
Signature drink card with two musicians at Kestra Jazz Lounge event
Try the signature cocktail called The Solo Monk at The Jazz Lounge at Kestra Restaurant located within the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. | Photos by BOStoday
Picture this: It’s the weekend and you are in search of a new date night spot or a cozy place to grab a drink with a friend. We’ve found the place for you. The Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport recently added a new, weekly music-infused event curated by local musician, Will Dailey: Jazz Lounge at Kestra Music Series, happening on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m.

What we tried:

Grab a seat in the intimate lounge or pull up a stool at the bar for classic cocktails, Mediterranean eats, and warm music from live performers. We recommend trying the specialty cocktail, The Solo Monk, which is inspired by the legendary musician Thelonious Monk and features Hendricks Gin, pineapple, Compari, lime juice + maple syrup.

Sink your teeth into the charcuterie board or small plate menu highlights like the lamb meatballs + za’atar fries. No two weeks will be the same, so soak in the sounds of the Seaport.
What not to miss
News Notes
Civic
  • The Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture will award $2.37 million to 19 arts and cultural organizations for the Neighborhood and Downtown Activation Grants. Recipients will receive $5,000 to $450,000 for major investments in city-wide arts experiences.
Edu
  • Massachusetts colleges account for six of the 27 most selective colleges in the country. This is more than any other state in the nation, and includes Harvard, MIT, Amherst College, and Williams College. (Boston Business Journal)
Closing
  • It’s a last call for Ivory Pearl — the Brookline eatery announced it will be closing after its final service on Sunday, March 31. Stop by the last few days for fresh seafood eats + late night drinks.
Arts
  • Bow Market is searching for artists to complete a new mural with the theme “Small Is Beautiful.” Submit a proposal by May 1.
Festival
  • Boston Calling has shared the lineup for the Orange Stage, which will showcase 12 up-and-coming acts with New England roots. Check them out now on this Orange Stage Spotify playlist and be sure to catch them live Memorial Day weekend.
Watch
  • In a new Sam Adams commercial, the local beer company teamed up with Celtics guard Derrick White for a little lesson all about Boston culture with the popular character “Your cousin from Boston.” Watch White go “full Boston.” (Boston.com)
Featured Deal
  • The wait for every foodie’s two favorite weeks in Boston is over. Explore deals during Dine out Boston, happening now through Saturday, March 23. Book your table.*
Try This
Drink

☕ It’s the final countdown
BOS-MM-Round 3-Web.png
Who will take home the crown? | Graphic via 6AM City
Welcome back to our BOStoday coffee shop bracket, where we’re asking you to determine the best coffee shop in Boston.

After our second round of votes, we’re down to two “teams.”
Cast your vote below.
Vote here
The Buy
A new scent from Corridor Candle Co. Collection to treat yourself. It’s the first day of spring and what better way to celebrate the season than a new candle?
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The Wrap
 
Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s edition by:
Jessica
From the editor
On this day in 1990, two men disguised as police officers stole multiple pieces of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in what would become the biggest property theft in history. Learn more about how the Fenway neighborhood museum reminds visitors of the ongoing mystery.
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