A Building for Learning

Our experience extends to all types of projects including schools and day care centers. JCDS turned to us to find them a new home. We helped locate and acquire a former industrial building and investigated the feasibility of converting it to a school.

Working to meet an aggressive schedule to have the building ready for the upcoming school year, we led the team’s efforts on programming and design. We were challenged to meet the innovative open classroom curriculum of the school. An important part of our work was to assist the non-profit with budget planning and making cost-value decisions during the design process. The project involved creating outdoor areas including playing fields and a connection to an on-site pond for programmatic use.

National Development has collaborated with other non-profits on school, synagogue, senior housing and residential projects. We consider our work with religious and charitable organizations an ideal way for us to use our skills to help in our communities.

Improving Public Improvements

In order to make possible a new residential building at Woodland Station, National Development first had to solve the problem of replacing 450 surface parking spaces and adding 100 new spaces required by the community. When the traditional public bid process appeared to be cost prohibitive and couldn’t meet the project schedule, we worked with the MBTA to develop a unique procedure to cut many dollars and many months from the project. The result was a successful, well designed three level garage that has been the model for similar projects in the area.

National Development and our construction affiliate Cranshaw Construction have substantial experience in parking garage projects. As operators we understand how parking garages work and know how to bring them in at a competitive price. We also believe that good garages and good design are not mutually exclusive. Our recent experience includes garage projects in Boston, Framingham, Medford and Natick.

Changing the Boston Waterfront

The Charlestown waterfront area was in need of a major facelift when National Development acquired a dilapidated property in an area with great potential. The former furniture warehouse sat vacant for years after a tragic fire. The site, adjacent to a marina, office complex and the historic USS Constitution called for something special.

We navigated around complex waterfront development and permitting issues and insisted on a design that was complimentary to the historic neighborhood. The completed 168 room hotel offers spectacular views of Boston Harbor and easy access to historic sites, the North End and Boston Garden. Amenities include reception areas, fitness center and underground parking. Also included as a part of public improvements are an 8,000 s.f. public pier, marina slips and a harborwalk connection.