BPDA Approves The Huntington Avenue Redevelopment Project

The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) voted this evening to approve the proposed redevelopment of 254-264 Huntington Avenue, which will include the renovation of the Huntington Avenue Theatre and the theatre's support wing as well as a new apartment building next to the theatre. This approval puts in motion a donation by commercial developers QMG Huntington LLC of the historic Huntington Avenue Theatre and its support wing to the Huntington Theatre Company for its ownership in perpetuity.

QMG Huntington LLC will also provide the Huntington Theatre Company with 14,000 square feet of new cultural space, expanding the Huntington Avenue Theatre at the base of QMG's apartment building, with a 100-year lease for the price of $1.00 (one dollar). The Huntington is responsible for outfitting the new contemporary space which will serve as the Huntington Avenue Theatre's new entrance and will provide public amenities including increased gathering spaces and an expansive second floor lobby that will double as an event space and intimate performance venue for up to 150 people.

"This is a significant milestone for the Huntington. We are now that much closer to realizing our ambition for a state of the Art Theatre complex that provides modern comforts alongside classic architecture and allows us to expand our programming, serve more people, and take an even greater role in the civic life and cultural vibrancy of our neighborhood," says Managing Director Michael Maso. "This would not be possible without QMG Huntington LLC, whose generosity will allow the Huntington to do so much more for our community. I remain extremely grateful to Mayor Marty Walsh and his dedicated staff, who were instrumental in helping the Huntington remain on Huntington Avenue, as well as to the Huntington's extraordinary board members for their leadership, and to the BPDA for its guidance through this process."

The Huntington will expand its programming to provide year-round activity in the theatre and lobbies, and will make these new spaces available for use by the community. The new, flexible lobby space on the second floor will allow the Huntington a wider range of possibilities to present events such as music performances and lecture series, to host events by other arts organizations and community groups, and to serve as a living room and gathering space, open to the public throughout the day. The Huntington anticipates enlivening this area of the Avenue of the Arts, just as the Huntington's Calderwood Pavilion has assisted in revitalizing the South End by hosting performances, business meetings, special events, community gatherings, and classes throughout the year.

David Epstein, the Huntington's chairman of the board and chief operating officer of the real estate company The Abbey Group says, "The restoration and expansion of our beautiful theatre on Huntington Avenue is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, one that we are confident will have a lasting impact on the city of Boston, and it will be through the generosity of new and established donors that we will be able to raise the funds necessary to bring this project to fruition."

"QMG is delighted to provide the city of Boston with new living spaces in the heart of the city and to align with the Huntington Theatre Company, one of Boston's great cultural assets," says John Matteson of QMG Huntington LLC. "We are looking forward to the next steps in this project and would also like to thank Mayor Walsh and his staff for their guidance through this process."

ABOUT THE Huntington Theatre Company

Celebrating its 35th season, the Huntington Theatre Company is Boston's leading professional theatre and one of the region's premier cultural assets since its founding in 1982. Recipient of the 2013 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the Huntington brings together superb local and national talent and produces a mix of groundbreaking new works and classics made current to create award-winning productions. The Huntington runs nationally renowned programs in education and new play development and serves the local theatre community through its operation of the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. The Huntington has long been an anchor cultural institution of Huntington Avenue, the Avenue of the Arts, and will remain so on a permanent basis with plans to convert our current theatre into a first-rate, modern venue with expanded services to audiences, artists, and the community. Under the direction of Artistic Director Peter DuBois and Managing Director Michael Maso, the Huntington cultivates, celebrates, and champions theatre as an art form. For more information, visit huntingtontheatre.org.

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