Sixteen Penny Company has submitted revised plans for The Magnolia, a proposed 158-unit mixed-income housing development in Jamaica Plain, marking the project’s third filing with the Boston Planning & Development Agency.
Sixteen Penny Company Makes Third BPDA Filing for The Magnolia
The revised plan for the former Poor Clare Monastery site includes 158 new homes. The Magnolia project has gone through three years of design changes, community input, and environmental review.
According to the developer, the project also features 38 affordable rental units. Of these, 36 are for families earning 60% of Area Median Income. Two are for families with a housing voucher.
The development team includes Hacin and Mikyoung Kim. Both firms are known for their work on residential, civic, and public space projects in the region. According to the developer, the project is intended to help address Boston’s ongoing housing shortage.
Owner John Holland and project manager Seamus Holland said the project offers several benefits. These include adding affordable housing and promoting homeownership. They also include protecting green space and providing tax revenue for the city.
They added, “After years of planning, redesign, and community input, The Magnolia demonstrates that thoughtful growth is possible. Boston needs more housing, and the time to act is now.”
Highlights of the Latest Proposal
The current filing contains several features. These are designed to balance housing production with neighborhood compatibility. The highlights of the proposal are:
- 158 total residential units
- 79 condominium ownership opportunities
- 79 apartment homes
- 38 affordable housing units
- A redesigned, U-shaped, 5-story building
- The preservation of 27 existing trees and planting of 50 additional trees
- The new lawned areas and biophilic features
- Reduced paved surfaces and increased green space
- Improved pedestrian access and transit-related enhancements
- Construction jobs, local economic activity, and additional tax revenue for Boston
Three Years of Redesigns
Over the course of three years, there have been three separate filings and redesigns of The Magnolia. According to the developer, every version was shaped by community input. Residents, city officials, and representatives from the Arnold Arboretum all contributed.
The latest redesign brought major changes to the project. The current monastery building is now planned for demolition. The proposed building will be moved toward the middle of the site.
The new design provides 50-foot setbacks around the development. It also maintains more open space and increases tree protection. The project team spoke at a recent community meeting. According to the project team, the redesign added millions of dollars in project costs and extended the development timeline by several years.
The Magnolia is now in the BPDA’s public review process. During this time, Sixteen Penny Company will keep working with residents and community groups. Once approved, the project would add both market-rate and affordable housing in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood.
