National Development signs 22,700 s/f at Ink Block

Rendering of 2,500 s/f restaurant concept at Ink Block - Boston, MA

Boston, MA According to National Development, all retail space in its new Ink Block development in the South End has been fully leased.  The six-acre mixed-use development includes a total of 78,000 s/f of retail, lining a newly-rebuilt, 30-foot wide sidewalk along Harrison Ave. and Traveler St.

“Our goal at Ink Block has been to bring interesting retail and restaurants that provide new energy to the neighborhood,” said Ted Tye, managing partner of National Development.  “All of our restaurant tenants will have outdoor café seating and extended hours that will make Ink Block buzz from morning until night.”

Restaurants and fast-casual concepts set to open at Ink Block this year are as follows:

• Bar Mezzana will be Ink Block’s signature restaurant. Chef Colin Lynch, his wife Heather Kennaway Lynch, and Jefferson Macklin, all alumni of Barbara Lynch Gruppo, have leased nearly 4,600 s/f for their new concept.  The coastal Italian-inspired restaurant and bar will feature what Chef Lynch calls simple food with “beautiful ingredients, thoughtful technique, and heart.”

• Fuji at Ink Block will be an Asian-inspired restaurant by the JP Fuji Group, which also operates the popular Fuji at Kendall and Fuji at Assembly Row.  Fuji’s 4,400 s/f will feature an active bar scene, sushi, and an extensive Asian menu.

• sweetgreen, a popular destination for delicious food that is sourced locally and made with organic ingredients from farmers, will have nearly 90 indoor and outdoor seats comprising 4,000 s/f.

• A new restaurant concept (yet to be named) will occupy 2,500 s/f and residents will have direct private access to the new hot spot from the 3 Ink lobby. The craft cocktail club will merge the edge and high-energy of a night out with the comfort and familiarity of a favorite neighborhood bar.   

According to Tye, “Many of Ink Block’s residents and neighbors are committed to active, healthy lifestyles.  In addition to restaurants, we wanted the retail mix at Ink Block to include best-in-class fitness providers.” 

 Lifestyle retailers set to open in 2016 at Ink Block include:

• Turnstyle Cycle, well known for their popular Kendall Square location, will open a new 3,000 s/f location.

• CorePower Yoga will open a new large studio in the 4,200 s/f space at Sepia, Ink Block’s first luxury condominium building.   

The Dartmouth Company served as the retail broker for the project.