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Encore Boston Harbor continues to bring potential for change in Everett

Casino-resort could draw a commuter rail stop as well as office development—or at least that’s the latest speculation

A large, rectangular, and curved building looming over a parking lot. Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Encore Boston Harbor casino-resort that opened in June in Everett may bring a commuter-rail and Silver Line station to the city as well as spawn a sweep of office development. Or maybe not.

The 33-acre, 3 million-square-foot complex continues to animate one of the most active parlor games in Boston-area real estate. A recent presentation that Encore Boston Harbor developer Wynn Resorts organized for investors has stoked further speculation, per the Globe’s Jon Chesto.

Probably the biggest what-if now is the possibility of a commuter-rail stop right beside the casino-resort. Neither stops in Everett right now. The proposed station is in purple on the below slide, which was presented to investors.

The same slide shows the extent of Wynn’s holdings in Everett right now—the big red spot is Encore Boston Harbor—and therefore the company’s potential for growth. There is already speculation that that growth could include a further “entertainment district” of hotels and attractions.

Now comes talk of office development on the parcels just across Broadway from the casino-resort. The thinking apparently goes that companies priced out of the Boston market will instead look in Everett for offices.

Right now, there are several variables regarding these plans. One of the biggest is what would become of the MBTA’s bus maintenance facility next to Encore Boston Harbor and beside the theoretical Silver Line-commuter rail stop. That would likely have to change hands for other developments to advance. Stay tuned.