Boston Wharf Company

Services provided: Landlord & Tenant Representation, Sales Research & Advisory Services

Project: Responsible for overseeing the portfolio’s ongoing leasing efforts, lease renewals and expansions, and providing advisory services and market analysis

Portfolio Size: Over 2 Million Square Feet of Space

The Challenge: Up until the 2005 sale of its commercial real estate holdings, Boston Wharf Company’s portfolios of buildings were concentrated within a 5 block area of the Fort Point Channel / Seaport District in South Boston. The buildings were a mix of new construction; renovated and restored brick and beam office buildings; non-renovated and formerly used industrial buildings; public parking garages, private drives, and surface lots. Lisa DonFrancesco’s primarily responsibilities included servicing the portfolio’s non-renovated buildings, where leasing activity was essentially evenly distributed between tenants who moved within the portfolio’s buildings and tenant’s who moved from buildings outside the portfolio. The non-renovated product type, with its unique characteristics was covenanted space and the preference of many small to mid size businesses; professional service firms, such as architects and engineers; high technology companies; medical companies; artists, and non-profit organizations. Desired for their historic charm and physical characteristics, the buildings offered waterfront and harbor views, MBTA accessibility, minimum street congestion with a downtown location, and below its neighboring financial district pricing. Over the 10+ years of servicing the portfolio, Lisa developed and has sustained many favorable relationships with many of Boston Wharf Company’s former tenants, who continue to contact her for assistance and advise.

The Solution: Lisa’s relationship with Boston Wharf spanned over 10 years, beginning in 1996, and ending with the final sale of buildings within the portfolio in late 2005. During that time, Lisa handled over a hundred transactions on behalf of Boston Wharf Company, including landlord, tenant and dual representation, and sublease and advisory services. Her continuous communication with area tenants for market assessment and regular contact with current Boston Wharf tenants resulted in favorable leasing transactions and low vacancy throughout her association with the company.