Hook Lobster Redevelopment: Residential Tower, Sit-Down Restaurant

Thursday, October 23, 2014, 11:56am

By Steve Adams

Banker & Tradesman Staff

Owners of James Hook & Co. would preserve their working seafood pound on the Boston waterfront while adding a 285-foot-tall residential tower under designs unveiled Wednesday.

William Zielinski, a principal at developer SKW Partners Inc., said the Hook family considered other uses, including offices and hotels before settling on a residential tower - either apartments or condos - for the half-acre site at the corner of Northern and Atlantic avenues.

"They will remain and look forward to seeing their business reunited and expanded," Zielinski said.

The original building where the fourth-generation seafood wholesaler operated was destroyed by fire in 2008. Since then, the business has been operating out of temporary buildings that would be removed to make way for the new development.

The seafood market, wholesale business and sit-down restaurant with outdoor seating on the harbor side would occupy 9,000 square feet on the ground floor of the new building.

"We've got plenty of permeability and light and air around the building," architect David Manfredi said.

The presentation took place during a meeting of the Downtown Waterfront Municipal Harbor Planning Advisory Committee, which is advising the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) on development along the central waterfront.

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Hook Lobster Redevelopment: Residential Tower, Sit-Down Restaurant