Quincy Center’s Next Chapter: 1620–1630 Hancock Street

Boston Global Investors, DiMella Shaffer, and H+O Structural Engineering are advancing a new seven-story, mixed-use multifamily development in the heart of downtown Quincy. Located at 1620–1630 Hancock Street, the podium project combines two parcels into one unified site, bringing up to 165 apartments, ground-floor retail, and structured parking to the city’s revitalized center.

Reviving the Core of Quincy Center

For years, this stretch of Hancock Street remained underused within Quincy Center’s revitalization district. To activate the site, the City of Quincy transferred ownership of 1620 Hancock Street to Boston Global Investors, enabling its merger with the privately owned 1630 Hancock Street next door.

The consolidation created an opportunity for a cohesive, high-density project aligned with the city’s downtown plan. The Planning Board’s Certificate of Consistency affirmed the proposal meets Quincy’s goals for new housing, street-level activity, and long-term economic growth.

Building Smarter in the Urban Core

The design brings residential living above street-level shops and restaurants, with two levels of structured parking built into the footprint to make better use of valuable land. Thoughtful massing and an active ground plane will strengthen the connection between Hancock Street and the surrounding blocks.

Together, the team is shaping a development adding housing and retail while reinforcing the scale and character of Quincy’s core.

The Impact Ahead

Once complete, 1620–1630 Hancock Street will:

• Deliver up to 165 new homes in a transit-served location.
• Add about 7,700 square feet of retail and restaurant space to energize the street edge.
• Two-level enclosed parking garage replacing surface lots.
• Expand the tax base and sustain Quincy Center’s revitalization momentum.

This is smart infill—compact, efficient, and connected to the city around it.

What’s Next

With approvals in place, the team is advancing design and preparing for construction. The development uses a 5-over-2 podium built into the sloped site – five levels of Type IIIA panelized wood framing over two levels of composite steel. This system provides a cost-efficient structure for 165 new apartments in a market where supply remains tight.

At H+O, cost-informed structural design defines how we deliver. We align design intent with cost management so projects stay predictable – in both scope and budget. If you’re planning a large-scale residential or mixed-use development, contact H+O for cost-efficient design protecting your pro forma from day one.