Member Spotlight: Robert Beal

Robert Beal has been a visionary and trailblazer in developing high-impact and high-profile projects in an evolving real estate landscape. The past president of Related Beal, Robert grew the firm to encompass commercial and residential development, hospitality, life sciences, and property management.


Along with his accomplishments in the real estate industry, Robert is widely regarded for his decades as a civic leader helping to create a better Boston, including serving as chairman of the board of A Better City. In this role, Robert took major steps to strength the board’s development and increase member participation, which in turn enhanced and shaped it into the successful organization it has come to be. He continues to play an active role in A Better City’s ongoing effort to create a Greenway Business Improvement District.


Robert joined the family business, Beal Companies, with his brother Bruce in 1976. Bruce A. Beal, Jr., Robert’s nephew, brought in Related Companies of New York to form Related Beal as it exists today. Robert’s big-picture approach has created successes with new buildings and redevelopments alike. Notable developments in the Related Beal portfolio include The Clarendon, One Back Bay, the Quinzani Bakery site, Converse’s new world headquarters at Lovejoy Wharf and Congress Square.


Related Beal was among the first developers of the now-established life science clusters in Cambridge and Lexington, including properties in Kendall Square. In 2016, Related Beal expanded their life sciences portfolio to the Seaport District’s 27 Drydock Avenue, a 286,000 square foot R&D building.


Last fall, Boston University selected Related Beal to redevelop nine buildings in Kenmore Square, building on Related Beal’s experience in neighborhood placemaking to create a safer, more welcoming and vibrant hub for students, residents, and businesses.


In the spirit of Robert’s creativity and commitment to excellence, Related Beal continues to break new ground, most recently by developing The Beverly: the first 100 percent workforce and affordable housing in downtown Boston in 25 years. The Beverly has been lauded by Mayor Walsh as a model for helping solve Boston’s housing crisis. The project serves as an example of public-private partnership in support of meeting neighborhood needs. Related Beal is coordinating with agencies on the city, state, and federal levels to finance the development through low-income housing tax credits, bond financing and state and city housing trust fund contributions.


Robert is active in real estate and other professional associations. He also continues to serve on the boards for a variety of nonprofits including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Combined Jewish Philanthropies.A graduate of Harvard (’63, MBA ’65), he remains a generous supporter of the university.


A Better City honored Robert with the Land Development award at the annual Norman B. Leventhal Excellence in City Building Awards, held on October 3, 2017, for his dynamic and impactful role in transforming this community, both its buildings and its civic and philanthropic organizations.

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