The developer of a new shopping center along Route 1 reports that commercial space on the highway is a hot commodity and expects the final vacancy to be filled by September. “I get calls all the time on it,” said Robert Piso, president of Galleria Realty Trust, which opened the Galleria by the Green at 500 Boston-Providence Highway in May. “Everybody’s looking to open on Route 1,” he said. “It’s a very hot location. Route 1 has come along so fantastically that it’s sought after by businesses.”
Piso noted that he is carefully vetting potential occupants to select a “quality” tenant with a solid track record, joining eight other existing businesses that are primarily regional chains or successful independent enterprises. Spanning more than 30,000 square feet with parking for 120 cars, the retail center sits in front of the Norwood Country Club golf course.
Strategic positioning was a deciding factor for Sam Rojanasuvan, co-owner of Siam Lotus, a Thai restaurant that established itself as one of the mall’s inaugural tenants alongside an AM&T telephone store, gift shop, ice cream parlor, computer store, sporting goods shop, weight-loss center, and music equipment store. “Norwood has great potential,” said Rojanasuvan, who also co-owns Amarin of Thailand in Newton Corner. “I think Route 1 is just beginning to grow south of Boston. This area can become the next Saugus.” Rojanasuvan noted that commercial development across Norwood and Westwood is booming, drawing midday diners from nearby technology firms: “The lunch crowd is mostly office people, computer people, yuppies. Most local people in Norwood don’t seem to go out in the evenings and spend lots of money. But because we are very conveniently located, people come from Sharon, Walpole, Canton, Needham and Dedham.”
With roughly 3,000 square feet remaining in the final available unit, Piso declined to disclose specific rental rates. While having received inquiries from shoe stores, hair salons, and other enterprises, Piso stated he had not yet determined who the final tenant would be.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Ethnic Diversity a Source of Pride as Norwood Prepares for Comprehensive Master Plan and Zoning Overhaul-August 18, 1988
As Norwood celebrates the harmonious ethnic diversity of South Norwood, town planner Sharon Wason leads a $135,000 master plan initiative to overhaul zoning and protect residential neighborhoods.
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Norwood Tries to Solve Two-Mile Route 1 Zoning Puzzle After Decades Without Regulations-August 17, 1988
Town planner Sharon Wason and local officials are tackling a two-mile unzoned stretch of Route 1 in Norwood, aiming to establish setbacks and landscaping rules after 20 years of regulatory gaps.
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Developer Says Route 1 Has Become a ‘Hot Location’ for Businesses Following Opening of Galleria Mall-August 17, 1988
Galleria Realty Trust president Robert Piso and local tenants praise the retail boom along Route 1 as the Galleria by the Green shopping center nears full occupancy in Norwood.
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State Approves Traffic Barrier to Block East Cross Street Access from Route 1-August 12, 1988
Following a resident petition led by Joseph Burke and Rep. Gregory Sullivan after a child’s injury, the state approved a barrier blocking Route 1 access to East Cross Street.
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New Town Planner Tackles Commercial Growth and Zoning Reform-August 20, 1987
Amid rapid commercial growth along Route 1 and zoning maps dating back to the 1920s, Norwood town meeting voters approved hiring a town planner to balance business interests and residential protections.
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Computer Solves Route 1 Mobil Station Heist-June 15, 1987
A Roslindale Man Is Tied To A Norwood Robbery A $4.6 million State Police computer is revolutionizing law enforcement in communities throughout Massachusetts, matching latent fingerprints to known felons 83,000 times faster than a human expert. The system, which began testing one year ago this month at State Police headquarters in Boston, has successfully solved…
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Route 1 Boom Projected to Benefit Norwood Area-November 11, 1985
Local real estate experts and town officials project a major commercial boom along Route 1, supported by University Avenue’s reconstruction and Norwood’s reliable MWRA water supply.
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Norwood Airport Manager Submits Residential Housing Proposal to Planning Board-August 13, 1985
Boston Municipal Airport proposed 21 single-family homes at the end of Hazelwood Drive, while the planning board reviewed Route 1 park modifications.
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Andrew B. Boch, 80, Automobile Dealer and Route 1 Automotive Pioneer-August 8, 1985
Andrew B. Boch, founder of Norwood’s pioneering Route 1 automotive dealerships and patriarch of a legendary New England business family, died at age 80.
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