February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Drew is a pioneer in the development for Boston’s revitalized South Boston Seaport District. Since its opening in 1986, the Seaport World Trade Center has become one of the premier facilities for conferences and exhibitions in New England. An 850,000 square foot state-of-the-art convention center features a 120,000 square foot exhibition hall, a 418 fixed-seat amphitheater, an executive conference center and first-class office space.
Drew led the development of a three-building expansion of the center that included hotel, offices, retail and parking facilities. The 426-room Seaport Hotel opened in 1998, the World Trade Center East in 2000, while the World Trade Center West opened in 2002.
In addition, Drew’s company was named co-developer of Waterside Place, a 1.2 million square foot mixed-use project in the South Boston Seaport District.
Drew has developed several other commercial properties including Bayside Exposition Center and Merchandise Mart, the Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts (recently renamed The Comcast Center), and Constitution Plaza, all in the Boston metropolitan area. Prior to founding his firm, John Drew served as Director of Federal Relations for the City of Boston.
During that time, he was responsible for the creation of the “Boston Plan,” a redevelopment plan for the city. In recognition of this achievement, the Boston Jaycees named him one of its “Ten Outstanding Young Leaders.” Drew’s impact on tourism, hospitality and development in the Boston area has won him a number of additional awards and distinctions.
Drew received his master’s degree from Boston University and is one of the region’s top authorities on public-private partnerships and development. His civic commitments include being chairman emeritus for Caritas Christi Health Care System in Boston; chairman emeritus/executive committee member of “A Better City” and chairman of the Massachusetts District Export Council.
Drew is also vice chairman of the World Trade Centers Association, headquartered in New York City, as well as being honorary consul of Monaco.