By Bera Dunaum, Foxborough Reporter, July 13, 2017
Development at Forbes Crossing is continuing at a steady pace, with the hotel set to be completed by year’s end.
Formerly known as Foxfield Plaza, the Central Street property is being redeveloped by the Saletin Real Estate Group.
“It’s progressing quite nicely,” said Cris Crecelius, vice president of acquisitions and leasing at Saletin. “I think we’re moving along pretty much as our schedule had intended.”
The signature piece of the redevelopment is the 139-room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton hotel that’s been under construction since last summer. Crecelius said that the hotel is scheduled to be completed and open for business by Dec. 31.
The project also involves three free-standing sites on the property, one of which will be shared by a Starbucks and a Moe’s Southwest Grill. The Starbucks and Moe’s are currently under construction, and should be completed by mid-fall.
The other two so-called “pad sites” have yet to find tenants.
“We have several prospects that are interested,” said Crecelius, who added that multi-tenant buildings, like the one housing Moe’s and Starbucks, are being considered for the other pad sites.
The final major element of the redevelopment involves reconfiguring the existing plaza, which is being overhauled as well as reduced in size. Among original tenants, Edible Arrangements, Bangkok Cafe, Antonia’s Italian Cuisine and Foxboro Mandarin Chinese Restaurant are expected to remain.
Edible Arrangements and Bangkok Cafe have moved to new locations in the strip mall, while Antonia’s and Foxboro Mandarin agreed to renovate. (Foxboro Mandarin is currently closed for renovations, with Antonia’s set to follow next month.)
Jack Torsiello works at Antonia’s, the family-owned business founded in 1999. He voiced enthusiasm for the upcoming renovation.
“It’s gonna definitely have a more modern look,” said Torsiello, who said that a designer was hired for the remodel. “It looks pretty cool.”
Bangkok Cafe manager and founder Raungdet “Danny” Titisuttikul, expressed satisfaction with his restaurant’s new location, which is larger than Bangkok Cafe’s old space.
“We like it,” he said. “It’s more open.”
The cafe has been in its new location, formerly occupied by the auto parts business C&C Specialties, since Feb. 25.
A new arrival at the plaza is Fit Factory, a gym set to open in mid-fall. It will take up 26,500 square feet and is Fit Factory’s third location.
“They’re a business that can take a big block of space,” said Crecelius.
The only space in the strip mall still available is the former location of Integrated Security, Inc., which Crecelius said has been discussed with potential tenants.
Construction at Forbes Crossing has temporarily cut off both restaurants from direct access to Route 140. But neither Torsiello nor Titisuttikul felt their business have been negatively impacted.
“It’s been a little challenging, but we really haven’t skipped a beat,” said Torsiello. “Our client base is coming back.”
He also said that the construction workers have proven to be good customers.
“Whatever you lose in maybe some pass-by traffic, you’re making up maybe in construction guys,” he said.
Titsuttikul said business has actually increased for Bangkok Cafe since they moved to the new location.
“The people come more often,” he said, saying that customers who once frequented the restaurant once or twice a month now come every week.
Both Titsuttikul and Torsiello expressed enthusiasm for the coming hotel and the coming gym.
“Memberships with gyms are huge,” said Torsiello. “They’re going to create the exposure (for Antonia’s) just themselves.”