As workers fluctuate between working from home and coming into the office, many building owners are looking for the right mix of flexibility and amenities to make the trip to work more worthwhile. We already know that today’s workforce wants to work in an environment that is clean and safe. Beyond that, studies show workers like to be within walking distance of public transportation, parking and restaurants. Recently, a national property management company debuted a new kind of restaurant experience in downtown Boston—one which the company, thinks will help convince workers that returning to the office means more than sitting in a cubicle.
High Street Place, the inspiration of Rockhill Management, is a gourmet food hall filled with eclectic eateries, shops, and activities catering to the lunch and after-work crowd. It’s nestled inside an art deco atrium situated between the National Historic Landmark tower 160 Federal St. and another class A office building at 100 High St. It debuted in April 2022.
“When we were able to purchase the property, it was an opportunity to redevelop a historic building. It had a beautiful atrium space that wasn’t well-used. The vision was to create a space to have tenants have an office space and have a food space, while staying true to the property and the historic design,” said Jennifer Twombly, general manager of Rockhill Management. “Over 5,000 office tenants worked in these buildings pre-pandemic. The food hall offers a space to buy food without leaving the building.”
AffinEco Vice President and General Manager Nolan Macario, is closely watching how amenities like High Street Place are impacting building occupancy. He recalls learning of the plan to build a gourmet food hall in the atrium, but that was pre-Covid and the project stalled. When it opened in April of this year, many said it represented a new confidence in Boston’s central business district. The development generated a great deal of publicity.
Developers and building owners have taken note. Twombly mentioned she knew of several projects in the works that will offer amenities on different scales. “This is becoming a trend here in Boston,” Macario said. “A lot of property owners are using this model to keep tenants close to their areas, generate revenue and help small businesses.”
According to Twombly, Rockhill conducted extensive market research and surveys to learn what types of amenities existing tenants wanted. Results revealed a resounding desire for more food options. Rockhill also recognized the importance of incorporating a diverse catalog of restaurants into High Street Place. The company targeted women- and minority-owned businesses and focused on local groups to reflect Boston’s unique and diverse population. There’s a Mexican confit, a sushi bar, a Jewish deli, and more.
It’s also helpful when city coalitions like the Business Improvement District host events to draw workers from around the city and provide them with engaging activities. Rockhill does the same thing with organized programming for the food hall. The company self-manages the venue, so all of their employees run their events and work to engage the downtown community with live music options each week and activity-based events such as calligraphy, flower arrangements, and wine tastings.
Just this week, High Street Place used its patio space to host a “Summer Lovin” solstice party helping downtown workers – and others – enjoy the season mingling outdoors while still being mindful of Covid.
“People want variety and authenticity. We want to create an engaging experience and showcase that experience in a new way,” Twombly said. Food stalls and people now sit in what was originally a road through old Boston also named High Street Place.
When the weather changes, the benefit of a fabulous food hall inside the two office towers will continue to be what Twombly called “a big benefit to the office tenants directly above,” not to mention those in close proximity. The combination has the potential to draw more workers back downtown for good.
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