Construction on a residential tower in Back Bay began last month, adding to the long list of rental projects popping up in downtown Boston.
The 28-story building, known as Avalon Exeter, will be located at 88 Exeter St. near Lord & Taylor and the Prudential Center plaza. The building will house 187 rentals, including studios, one, two and three-bedroom units.
The construction of the building will include the installation of a large staircase and indoor elevator aimed at moving pedestrians from Exeter Street up to the Prudential Center plaza. The goal of the installation is to remove “the wall” effect that currently exists on Exeter Street, according to the Boston Redevelopment Authority. City officials are hoping the project will improve access between the Prudential Center and the area surrounding Copley Place and the Boston Public Library.
The project, spearheaded by AvalonBay — a rental development company located in Washington, D.C., is expected to cost $100 million and create 300 construction jobs.
For rent
Avalon Exeter adds to a laundry list of rental projects under way in Boston. In August, construction began on a rental tower in the Bullfinch Triangle area near North Station which will house 286 high-end rental units, and in nearby China-town there are several rental projects in the works. Last month, the Boston Redevelopment Authority also approved a plan for a mixed-use project in the Fenway area that includes 150 rentals.
