Boston Zoning Board Approves Canal Street Office-to-Housing Conversion, Dozens of Other Projects

BOSTON — November 18, 2025 — Boston's Zoning Board of Appeal approved more than two dozen projects in a marathon November 18 hearing, highlighted by unanimous votes on an office-to-residential conversion at 60 Canal Street and a 218-unit Mission Hill development at 80 and 100 Smith Street. Attorney Jeff Drago of Drago & Toscano won approval to convert the upper floors of an 1871 Bullfinch Triangle building into six large rental units for owner Mark Blotner, taking advantage of a BPDA zoning change that opened the district to residential use in March 2025. The Smith Street project, presented by Attorney Joe Hanley on behalf of developer Mission Associates, includes 33 income-restricted affordable units — five more than required — and was approved by the BPDA Board in January 2025 after a multiyear review. A contested three-unit proposal at 1812 Columbia Road in South Boston drew 101 letters of support against formal opposition from the City Point Neighborhood Association, but the board approved it unanimously with design review and parks department provisos. The board also approved a five-story, 15-unit mixed-use project at 75-77 Dorchester Street in Perkins Square, including three affordable units and 15 secured off-site parking spaces, over neighbor concerns about height and parking in South Boston.