BRA Approves Ropewalk Development in Charlestown

The Boston Redevelopment Authority last week voted to approve a proposal to redevelop the Ropewalk Complex in the Charlestown Navy Yard, officials announced this week.

The BRA also designated Frontier Enterprise, Inc. as the project developer. Sousa Design is the project architect. 

The project, which will cost approximately $34 million and comprise about 160,000 square feet of space, aims to renovate the historic building owned by the BRA into housing. The finished project is also expected to include an "interpretive exhibit" on ropemaking in honor of the site's historical use as a manufacturer and innovator of maritime cordage. 

The development will include about 90 residential units with 20 to 30 percent of them designated as "affordable," officials said. 

The developer, meanwhile, will not be able to provide parking on site due to the building's landmark status. As such, all tenants who own cars will need to prove that they have leased a parking space in a nearby garage or off-street parking. 

Moreover, the developer will recreate the historic "Flirtation Walk" area along the southern edge of the building with new lighting and streetscaping, the BRA said.