West of Chestnut Signs Deal with Restaurateur Jimmy Liang Quincy native’s Fuji at WOC will be his largest and best
Japanese fusion concept will anchor downtown Quincy food scene 10th location for Liang marks further expansion of Fuji Group
Gate Residential announced today it has signed a lease with renowned Boston area restaurateur Jimmy Liang to open a 5,000 square foot Japanese fusion concept under the Fuji Group brand at West of Chestnut in downtown Quincy.
The agreement ensures that dynamic nightlife and dining will be yet another component of the premium urban lifestyle being created at West of Chestnut – a 169-unit luxury apartment community located in the heart of downtown Quincy.
“For someone who started a company in Quincy based on creating unique and memorable dining experiences, the opportunity to be part of the most exciting development in Quincy is a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said Liang – a Quincy native who began building the 9-location Fuji Group when he was 19-years-old. “Fuji at West of Chestnut will be Quincy Center’s new shining gem— an expansive space in the most dynamic new residential community—further enhancing the vibrant downtown area.”
Liang founded Fuji Restaurant in Wollaston with his best friend and partner Peter Tse in 1998, which ultimately evolved into Fuji 1546 on Hancock Street. Over the past 18 years, together with their other partners, Liang and Tse created the Fuji Group – with restaurants in Quincy, Kendall Square, East Cambridge and Assembly Square Somerville. Fuji at West of Chestnut will be their 10th location.
“I don’t think we could have found a better fit for our premium dining space than Jimmy Liang’s Fuji. Our retail and lifestyle pieces need to fit together in just the right way. This announcement demonstrates that the biggest piece is in place, with other exciting news to come.” said Kyle Warwick, a principal in Gate Residential – developer of West of Chestnut. “Jimmy’s dining concepts are always best in class, and that’s what we were looking for here.”
Damian Szary, another Gate principal, said the WOC team is being very prescriptive and purposeful with its strategy for bringing just the right mix of retail, dining and lifestyle amenities to the community they are creating downtown.
“You have one chance to get this just right, and we have absolutely nailed it with Jimmy Liang and Fuji,” Szary said.
Other components of the outward-facing amenities at West of Chestnut will include a second high-concept restaurant, a lifestyle and health and fitness tenant, and a café-bakery.
West of Chestnut features 169 highly-amenitized residential units in two six-story urban mid-rise buildings – including approximately 12,400 square feet of commercial and retail space on the street level. Amenities include a top-of-the-line fitness center, cross-training studio, a club suite with a lounge and media room, a dog-wash room, and an outdoor kitchen, fireplace and courtyard.
Gate Residential began construction on West of Chestnut last year following the 2014 announcement of a new joint venture with landowner Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Quincy Mutual, which has been in continuous operation in Quincy since it was founded in 1851, is a major investor in the downtown redevelopment.
West of Chestnut is one of many new developments set for Quincy Center, which will include the renovated Quincy Center MBTA station, the newly-remodeled City Hall, and the expected Adams Green urban park. A second phase of West of Chestnut, called East of Chestnut – featuring 220 units with additional amenity and retail space, is also planned.
As a leading Boston-based developer, Gate Residential creates vibrant apartment communities in targeted urban areas near highly desirable employment and university markets that are easily accessible by public transportation. Founded in 2010, Gate Residential Properties, LLC is the multifamily development and investment arm of Redgate Holdings, LLC.
To learn more about O’Neill and Associates’ real estate expertise, click here.
