Mattapan condo proposal on Blue Hill Avenue pivots to apartments

The developer behind plans to replace two vacant lots and a commercial building at 1199-1203 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan with a mixed-use project has adjusted the proposal for the site.

The previous proposal called for 21 condos in a four-story building stretching to nearly 55 feet. The new plans call for 32 rentals in a five-story building—same height—and the rentals will be done under a Boston program that encourages “compact” units. The city has said these units help “create more affordable homes that are well-designed and well-located, so residents can live, work and play in their immediate neighborhoods.”

Half of the 32 compact apartments would be one-bedrooms and half would be two-bedrooms. Previous plans called for three one-bedroom condos and 18 two-bedrooms.

Interestingly, this is the second recent Mattapan proposal for compact units. A five-story apartment building at 1297-1305 Blue Hill is due to include 39 such apartments as well as three ground-floor commercial spaces and parking for up to 40 vehicles.

The 1199-1203 Blue Hill development is also due to have parking, though the developer—a limited liability company called J. Garland Enterprises—has eliminated the garage in favor of a 37,798-square-foot surface lot. The project would also have a 2,500-square-foot cafe or “small restaurant,” according to an October 29 filing with the Boston Planning and Development Agency.