The Lovejoy Wharf condo conversion on the North End waterfront has always been rather iffy. Developer Ajax Management spent three years fending off a legal challenge over its height from residents of nearby Strada234, settling only this past December. Even before then Ajax had hinted that financing for the approximately $200 million conversion of the existing Hoffman Building at 160 North Washington Street and the construction of a 14-story building at 131 Beverly Street might be hard to come by were they to lead to 240 condos.
Now comes word that the developer will petition the city to change the project to offices. And not just any old offices! 'Member junior high basketball or Bird in '86? Thomas Grillo at the Boston Business Journal says that sneaker giant Converse might anchor the project, expanding beyond its Massachusetts headquarters in North Andover. No word yet on whether the pivot away from condos changes Ajax's plans for 39,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor of the Hoffman Building, including a 300-seat restaurant.
· Waterfront Developer Switching from Condos to Office [Biz Journal]
· North End's Lovejoy Wharf Settles Suit; Big-Time Hingham Sale [Curbed Boston]