Under the Radar Podcast

With a business model centered on diversity, Boston’s biggest hotel in decades is now open


Listen Later

This week on Under The Radar:

Seven years ago, the Massachusetts Port Authority shook up the local real estate world. Plans for a new hotel on public land, overseen by the agency, would be the biggest to open in Boston since the mid-80s.

But the agency's thumbs up for developers hinged on the inclusion of companies owned by women and people of color working as leaders on the project. Dubbed the “Massport Model," the inclusion clause helped forge new relationships beyond the project.

The Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport opened in September to rave reviews. The $550 million complex has 1,054 rooms, seven dining options and glorious views of the Boston city skyline. The gleaming luxury hotel marks something bigger than just a building: a lucrative business model that centers diversity.

GUESTS:

Duane Jackson, managing member of Alinea Capital Partners and former member of Massachusetts Port Authority’s Board of Directors, who pushed for the “Massport Model” policy.

Richard Taylor, chairman of the Taylor-Smith Companies, where he manages multiple real estate business entities, and director of the Center for Real Estate at Suffolk University.

Mikyoung Kim, landscape architect and owner of the firm Mikyoung Kim Design in Boston.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Under the Radar PodcastBy GBH

  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4

4.4

41 ratings


More shows like Under the Radar Podcast

View all
On the Media by WNYC Studios

On the Media

9,166 Listeners

The Brian Lehrer Show by WNYC

The Brian Lehrer Show

1,543 Listeners

The Book Review by The New York Times

The Book Review

3,863 Listeners

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,550 Listeners

On Point | Podcast by WBUR

On Point | Podcast

3,916 Listeners

Classical Performance by Classical Performance

Classical Performance

343 Listeners

The Victory Garden | PBS by WGBH Boston

The Victory Garden | PBS

13 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

37,872 Listeners

Pop Culture Happy Hour by NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

10,968 Listeners

Boston Public Radio Podcast by WGBH Educational Foundation

Boston Public Radio Podcast

497 Listeners

The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

The New Yorker Radio Hour

6,679 Listeners

MASTERPIECE Studio by MASTERPIECE

MASTERPIECE Studio

1,170 Listeners

Code Switch by NPR

Code Switch

14,538 Listeners

It's Been a Minute by NPR

It's Been a Minute

8,945 Listeners

Molly of Denali by GBH & PBS Kids

Molly of Denali

2,040 Listeners

The Creeping Hour by GBH

The Creeping Hour

665 Listeners

Antiques Roadshow Detours by GBH

Antiques Roadshow Detours

678 Listeners

NOVA Now by GBH

NOVA Now

224 Listeners

Pinkalicious & Peterrific by GBH & PBS Kids

Pinkalicious & Peterrific

703 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,470 Listeners

Critics at Large | The New Yorker by The New Yorker

Critics at Large | The New Yorker

605 Listeners

Scratch & Win by GBH News

Scratch & Win

1,736 Listeners

Wild Card with Rachel Martin by NPR

Wild Card with Rachel Martin

707 Listeners