Veronica Grecu
Veronica Grecu is a senior creative writer and researcher for RentCafe. With more than 10 years of experience in the real estate industry, she covers a variety of topics in residential and commercial real estate, including trends and industry news. Previously, she was involved in producing content for Multi-Housing News, Commercial Property Executive and Yardi Matrix. Veronica’s academic background includes a B.A. in Applied Modern Languages and an M.A. in Advertising and PR.
New Mixed-Use Project Proposed for South Boston
Connecticut-based real estate firm Commonwealth Ventures has filed plans with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) for a new mixed-use complex at One Channel Center in South Boston.
Building 661 at Navy Yard to Become EEB Hub Headquarters
By Veronica Grecu, Associate Editor The long-vacant Building 661 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard will become the new headquarters of the U.S. Department of Energy Innovation Hub for Energy-Efficient Buildings (EEB Hub), a federally funded organization launched in January 2011 by Pennsylvania State University and formerly known as the Greater Philadelphia Innovation Cluster for Energy-Efficient […]
$17.4 Million Public Library Branch Breaks Ground in East Boston
Work on a new branch of the Boston Public Library broke ground last week during an official ceremony in the presence of Mayor Thomas M. Menino and other city officials. The state-of-the-art development located in East Boston is one of the 336 improvement projects included in the recently announced five-year Capital Plan, a $1.8 billion initiative that supports initiatives and efforts across the City in the areas of education and youth development, neighborhood stabilization, technology enhancement and economic development.
New Upscale Hotels Take Over Center City Philadelphia
Boston-based hospitality Sonesta International Hotels, which operates nearly 30 luxury hotels catering to premium business and leisure travelers, will open its first hotel in Pennsylvania on June 18. The new Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia will replace the existing Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Downtown, the only hotel to be found on Market Street west of City Hall.
Homewood Suites by Hilton to Open in University City
By Veronica Grecu, Associate Editor Hilton Hotels & Resorts is consolidating its presence in the city of Philadelphia with Homewood Suites, an 11-story extended stay facility that’s nearing completion. Development company Campus Apartments LLC broke ground on the $50 million hotel in December 2010, reports The Daily Pennsylvanian, and an opening ceremony for the public […]
Paseo Verde is Philadelphia’s Newest Green Affordable Housing Development
Work has begun on Paseo Verde, a multimillion-dollar mixed-use/mixed-income green development in a distressed neighborhood in North Philadelphia, next to the Temple University Regional Rail Station.
Wayne State University to Build $93 Million Biomedical Research Center
Wayne State University (WSU) is about to break ground on one of the largest development projects in its almost 150-year history. The university plans to create a 200,000-square-foot biomedical research center in Midtown Detroit and, in order to complete the project, hopes to attract a $30 million grant from the state—a budget proposal from Gov. Rick Snyder that is yet to be approved—while the remaining $63 million will come from a combination of private donations and debt collections.
Boston’s Innovation District Adds New Housing Development
The development wave in Boston’s growing Innovation District continues with a $62 million housing project that will take shape at 411 D Street. Last week, the Boston Redevelopment Authority approved a mixed-use complex proposed in January by a joint venture between Cresset Development and Clarion Partners.
Manhattan Office Market Gains Momentum
By Veronica Grecu, Associate Editor
New York-based financial services company Morgan Stanley has a deal for almost 1.2 million square feet of space in One New York Plaza, a premier office building located in lower Manhattan at the intersection of South […]
Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute Breaks Ground on New Addition, Anticipates LEED Silver
The Franklin Institute broke ground on the first major expansion in more than two decades, a $65 million pavilion meant to broaden the science museum’s educational impact. Located on the south side of the museum, the 53,000-square-foot expansion will be called the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion in recognition of the generous $10 million gift—the largest individual contribution since the museum’s funding in 1824—offered last year by the couple.