For Information Contact:
Shelley G. Lord
603-502-2788
slord@wilderco.com

The Wilder Companies Brings Best Buy to a Boston Landmark

Specialty retailer to open at 360 Newbury Street

Boston, Mass (January 8, 2007) – The Wilder Companies announced that Best Buy will be taking the space formerly occupied by the Virgin Megastore at 360 Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay.

Ending weeks of speculation, the specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and appliances, will serve as a new anchor to the portion of Newbury Street at Massachusetts Avenue known for its trendy stores and hip boutiques. A Magnolia Home Theater store, Best Buy’s store-within-a-store of premium quality audio, video and home theater equipment in comfortable demonstration rooms, will be a part of the new location.

360 Newbury Street was built in the early twentieth century and a stunning exterior renovation by renowned architect, Frank O. Gehry, was completed in 1989. The building’s current owner, Boston Residential Group, LLC, recently initiated a building conversion to refresh the street level retail and convert the upper level floors into luxury residential condominiums.

Curtis Kemeny, President of Boston Residential Group turned to The Wilder Companies for their retail leasing expertise and local area knowledge. Citing Wilder’s recent success at the retail repositioning of The Newbry (formerly The New England Life Building) at Newbury and Clarendon Streets, as well as their continuing work on the retail portions at both International Place in Boston’s Financial District and CityPlace in the Theater District, Kemeny engaged the company as exclusive retail consultant and retail leasing agent.

Mr. Kemeny said, “Retail space this large rarely comes into play in the Back Bay. A retail consultant was desired that understood the Boston market and had the extensive retailer contacts necessary for a job of this magnitude. I knew The Wilder Companies would bring us the right merchant for this landmark building.”

The new 46,000 square foot Best Buy will encompass the entire first three floors of this uniquely designed and situated building for selling space, as well as a 6000 square foot portion of the basement for storage. Opening is planned for spring 2007.

Wilder principal, Andy LaGrega said, “The Boston retail scene continues to evolve. There is growing demand for larger format stores in urban markets. As more people choose to both live and work in the city, they desire more shopping conveniences. With the addition of Magnolia into the store, Best Buy will aptly serve the full spectrum of residents, from college students to luxury condominium owners.”

Best Buy is an innovative Fortune 100 Growth Company. It was also named a Fortune Blue Ribbon Company for being recognized on the publication’s Fortune 500 (No. 76), Global 500 (No. 191), Most Admired (No. 2 in Specialty Retailer category) and Global Most Admired (No. 2 in Specialty Retailer category) lists.

Lori A. McWeeney, Vice President of Leasing at Wilder represented the Landlord. Bryan Anderson and Rob Robledo of Atlantic Retail Properties represented Best Buy.

Based in Boston, MA, The Wilder Companies specialize in the development and positioning of retail properties. Wilder has over 30 years experience in merchandising specialty centers, urban-street retail, mixed-use properties and regional malls. The company’s current portfolio consists of over 35 owned and managed properties nationwide with an additional four million square feet under development including The Loop, a one million square foot + development of retail, residential and office space at Routes 9 and 20 in Northborough, MA and The Rialto, a 350,000 square foot luxury mixed-use development in Orlando, FL.

For information visit www.wilderco.com.

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