For over 15 years, Wharf Partners has participated in the entitlement of over 5 million square feet of real estate valued at over $2 billion. Our team approach to permitting and public process of development employs the strength of all team members while utilizing strong relationships with decision-makers and community members and an intimate knowledge of the process. We manage the process and maintain the schedule shepherding projects through approvals, providing community support and achieving development objectives.
Our unique experience consists of approvals for complex commercial mixed-use projects, including residential, life science, office, retail, restaurant and entertainment facilities. Project work has focused on multi-family residential and life science development in response to community needs and robust market demand. Current clients include Mark Development, Lincoln Property Company, Jamestown, Synergy Investments, Jefferson Apartment Group, Gilbane Building Company and Phase 3 Real Estate.
Whether we are working to position a new high rise in a residential neighborhood, manage the complexity of office to residential conversions, deliver a certificate of occupancy to meet funding requirements or open a new restaurant in time for an important event, Wharf Partners is committed to a successful process and delivery.
With experience in government, campaigns, media and non-profits, we provide a unique understanding of the political, economic and social dynamics to navigate success.
Christine McMahon founded Wharf Partners in June 2010 to strategically advise clients on
community relations, real estate development, non-profit and corporate
positioning.
She develops and implements community relations campaigns on behalf of public and
private development initiatives, corporations seeking to grow market share and community
organizations looking to advance a cause or impact a referendum question. Christine
combines grassroots tactics with media and government relations to effectively
communicate the benefits of a project or issue and to mitigate concerns, in order to
create a winning situation for both the client and the community. Working with her
client, she develops key messages and objectives to serve as the cornerstone for each
campaign, and then develops the marketing materials necessary as she builds coalitions
to secure the necessary support.
The real estate development practice is dedicated to every aspect of the development
process, including deal sourcing and team assemblage, permits and approvals, design and
construction. Christine works not only with large national development companies on
high-level state and municipal entitlements, but also with construction companies and
individual business owners to navigate and secure zoning relief, a building permit or a
certificate of occupancy.
Christine serves as the executive director of the Claddagh Fund, the charitable
foundation of the Dropkick Murphys. Founded in Boston in December of 2009, Christine has
worked cooperatively with the band from the start to develop the organization’s mission,
collateral materials and fundraising goals. Christine has managed the fundraising of
over $4 million in ten years through annual events and appeals to fans. Christine is
also spearheading the expansion of the organization to chapters in Philadelphia and
Washington, D.C., with continued growth planned over the next several years.
Regardless of the industry or scope, she is able to work toward specific goals in a
deliberate and scheduled manner to achieve positive results. Other recent clients
include Gerding Edlen, Citizens Bank, Equity Office Properties, Gilbane Building
Company, Synergy Investment, Big Apple Circus and the Downtown North
Association.
Prior to joining Wharf Partners, Christine served as Vice President at O’Neill and
Associates, leading the firm’s community relations practice. In this role, she managed
the company’s permitting and development consulting practice, working with developers
and institutions to navigate the complex political and entitlement process in Boston and
throughout Massachusetts.
In addition to the Claddagh Fund, Christine is actively involved in a number of
non-profit organizations including the College Bound Dorchester, Shawn Thornton
Foundation, and the Real Estate Council of Boston College. She is also owner and
co-developer of The Brant, a hotel on Nantucket. Most significantly, Christine is the
proud mother of children, Claire, Brendan and Sean.
Michael Vaughan founded Nauset Strategies in September 2002. Michael works with his
clients to develop and implement government and community relations strategies to
facilitate the entitlement of development projects. Nauset Strategies also assists their
clients with business development efforts and relationship marketing. Michael has been
involved in the entitlement of over 20 million square feet of development in the City of
Boston, including the residential projects at The Radian and The Huntington, The Eddy
and 319 A Street, and commercial development of Archon Boston Wharf Portfolio, The
Innovation and Design Building, Two Drydock Avenue, Two Harbor Street, One Post Office
Square and Winthrop Center. Nauset Strategies represents the premier companies in their
fields; Gilbane, Green Cities, Intercontinental Development, IBEW Local 103, Millennium
Partners and Synergy Investments.
Michael previously served as a Vice President at McDermott O’Neill. In that role, he
employed his knowledge of the public process and past experiences with development to
assist clients with their development initiatives. Michael was also a senior project
manager and regional deputy of the Boston Redevelopment Authority. In that capacity, he
helped manage the public and community involvement process for major development
projects, which included the $700 million Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the
South Boston Waterfront Committee, the South Boston Seaport Interim Master Plan, and the
redevelopment of City Hall Plaza.
Michael complements his professional career with active involvement in community based
associations, as a member of Boston College High School and Boston College Alumni
Associations, the Corporation for the Boston Local Development Corp. Michael also sits
on the Board of Directors Archdiocese Planning Office of Urban Affairs, South Boston
Catholic Academy and South Boston Neighborhood House. Michael also owns and operates the
Banshee in Dorchester, Brick & Beam in Quincy and The Brant in Nantucket.
We believe that we all have a responsibility to serve our communities and do what we can to positively impact the lives of those around us. We fondly support the following charitable organizations through volunteer efforts, fundraising and pro bono work:
We pride ourselves on our commitment to our clients; we fully integrate with your company, campaign or organization. Always responsive and always accessible, we're ready to become part of your team.