Krafts to develop around Gillette

PatsRI · Jan 25, 2006

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2006/01/25/new_role_for_krafts_developers/?page=1

From Globe:

"How big? Think Prudential Center big. While the Krafts are not ready to talk about it, several executives in the real estate and construction industries who have been briefed on the plans say the family is putting together an ambitious development on its 500 acres around Gillette Stadium that will exceed 1 million square feet. The working name: Patriots Place."

"The development, a kind of ''guy mall," will be heavily oriented toward big-box retail stores and entertainment. A Home Depot would be a natural. It is likely to include a hotel, restaurants, a 16-screen National Amusements theater, smaller boutique stores, and a ''lifestyle center" that would have a day-surgery center where guys could get their shoulder fixed without having to go into Boston. The Krafts already have a growing, largely male conference business at the stadium. The parts are still subject to change, but expect an announcement this year."

It will also have a Bass Pro Shop to compete with the expected Cabela's (to go in near Wrentham). I buy most of my cold weather stuff from these two stores online so it will be great to have them up near the stadium.

marty · Jan 25, 2006

PatsRI said:
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2006/01/25/new_role_for_krafts_developers/?page=1

From Globe:

"How big? Think Prudential Center big. While the Krafts are not ready to talk about it, several executives in the real estate and construction industries who have been briefed on the plans say the family is putting together an ambitious development on its 500 acres around Gillette Stadium that will exceed 1 million square feet. The working name: Patriots Place."

"The development, a kind of ''guy mall," will be heavily oriented toward big-box retail stores and entertainment. A Home Depot would be a natural. It is likely to include a hotel, restaurants, a 16-screen National Amusements theater, smaller boutique stores, and a ''lifestyle center" that would have a day-surgery center where guys could get their shoulder fixed without having to go into Boston. The Krafts already have a growing, largely male conference business at the stadium. The parts are still subject to change, but expect an announcement this year."

It will also have a Bass Pro Shop to compete with the expected Cabela's (to go in near Wrentham). I buy most of my cold weather stuff from these two stores online so it will be great to have them up near the stadium.

Interesting article RI, thanks for posting. I've never heard of Bass Pro, I'll be checking it out now! Good news for the locals and jobs and such!

nhpatsfan · Jan 25, 2006

There's a Cabelas going in down there, too? They have one going in up here in NH, in Hookset. I know they have relatively few stores nationwide (12?15?), so kind of surprised they'd have two so 'close.' I guess they must really be targeting the northeast. And that's a good thing! We love their stuff.

PatsDeb · Jan 25, 2006

I hope they have a plan to make the stadium area more road-accessible. How can Route 1 handle game-day type traffic every day? It can't.

Bill's Girl · Jan 25, 2006

PatsChick87 said:
Interesting article RI, thanks for posting. I've never heard of Bass Pro, I'll be checking it out now! Good news for the locals and jobs and such!

I used to live near the Bass Pro Headquarters in Hollywood, Florida, which was also next door to the Intenational Sport Fishing Hall of Fame! This is a fun idea, but what about getting in and out?? Route 1 is not equipped to handle stadium traffic let alone all of this!! The Bass Pro in FL is right on I-95.

Garbanza · Jan 25, 2006

How would this be possible? Traffic would be a nightmare on game days.....actually, it already is a nightmare on game days.

denverpatsfan · Jan 25, 2006

Give me a break

That's terrible. It was bound to happen eventually though. I guess that means less parking on game days??

Can't stand the suburban sprawl that has taken over this country.

I guess Foxboro will look like the north shore.

I think I just threw up in my mouth.

facemask · Jan 25, 2006

so will this take up the stadium parking? I would hate to see them replace the lots with parking garages

marty · Jan 25, 2006

I wouldn't panic quite yet. 500acres is a lot of space. We don't know where those 500 acres are and I'd bet dollars to donuts that traffic, parking etc will be planned on! My guess, if the acreage is south/west of the Razor, they would access it directly off 495?
One would guess that the Krafts would work hard not to create more traffic issues that would impact the stadium and the events that are held there.

CTPatsFan · Jan 25, 2006

Now if there were a strip club included, that would be convenience!

Sounds like things on game day could be a nightmare. Maybe there'd be a clause that the businesses would have to close on game days? Wishful thinking.

Willie55 · Jan 25, 2006

As far as traffic goes, I wonder if the State would "ask" Bob to put another lane in on Rte. 1 from 495 to the stadium. All the business' there are set back from enough off the road that it shouldn't be problem.

marty · Jan 25, 2006

Willie55 said:
As far as traffic goes, I wonder if the State would "ask" Bob to put another lane in on Rte. 1 from 495 to the stadium. All the business' there are set back from enough off the road that it shouldn't be problem.

Wouldn't be a bit surprised if this is exactly what happens!

Garbanza · Jan 25, 2006

That would still not address the horrid traffic conditions for folks that go north on Route 1 to access 95, and vice versa. If this is true - I am dying to see this "plan." Wouldn't Foxboro reps have to vote on this? How would they get state money for infrastructure - remember how hard it was the first time?

PatsWorldChamps · Jan 25, 2006

A hooters and Thee Dollhouse?

festy1986 · Jan 25, 2006

So their trying to develop the land around the stadium?

I always thought that having a home really in the middle of no where was unique and cool.

This should be interesting really, but I always liked how of all the places for the Pats to play it was in foxy

ilduce06410 · Jan 25, 2006

good luck getting approvals

PatsDeb said:
I hope they have a plan to make the stadium area more road-accessible. How can Route 1 handle game-day type traffic every day? It can't.

i suspect one of the ideas is that people won't be leaving immediately after the game, thereby reducing traffic flow. again, the development may force the state to wisen up about the roads. of course, the state thing is about the legislature's pig headedness. a couple of ***h0les can hold up the thing for 5 yearws if they want.
surely the town, mayberry with a massachusetts accent, would never have come up with something like this. kraft will be giving them a bonanza in tax revenues, but i suspect they'll spend a year studying it. and then want to have a referendum on whether to have it. wasn't that what they put the krafts thru to build the razor? as i recall tagliabue had to go there and plead with them.
again, the krafts get out in front of the league in planning something like this. "a total nfl experience". should be a winner, you'll probably see 15 of these around nfl stadiums if the krafts can make a go of it. if they can get people to go more than 10 times a year.

Willie55 · Jan 25, 2006

We haven't heard from our Foxboro inhabitant, fgssand on this one, he lives two miles from the stadium.

fgssand - have you heard anything around town?

Michael · Jan 25, 2006

I don't live too far from Gillette either. I drive buy it fairly often. My guess would be building a new access from 95 instead of 495. But, it's just a guess based on satellite shots of the area.

Box_O_Rocks · Jan 25, 2006

Miami was working on something similar with plans to lure the Super Bowl there full time. They were going to put in some kind of mini Canton if I remember right.

Since a hotel and resturants are going in, Bob can put in a tramway from the hotel to the stadium, not only for football goers, but with the Razor turning into a convention center it would also pay off by tying the hotel and convention center together and giving the non-football wives a place to drop off the husbands while they go shopping - win/win. Think if the hotel had a ballroom set up with an expensive buffet and a band for after the games (as long as they win)! Patriots' World the Experience.

Sean Pa Patriot · Jan 25, 2006

I love going to the area, and it need some juice, as far as restaurants and hotels.. Could use a Hooters, a good sports bar by there.. Funway cafe is ok, never been to the End Zone.. Also Cabela's is near where I live, Im no outdoorsman, so I guess its ok if you like that stuff, than again I dont, I also dont like Nascar, Pittsburgh, anything.... Oh sorry was getting on a tagent there...

Krafts to develop around Gillette

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