ALLSTON, MA, June 3, 2025 – The Davis Companies (Davis) and Spot On Ventures have announced the grand re-opening of Craft Food Halls at Studio Allston, a boutique hotel located at 1234 Soldiers Field Road in the Allston neighborhood of Boston. Craft Food Halls is a unique dining experience offering a rotating menu of gourmet food options, self-serve alcoholic beverage stations and game rooms, enhancing the hotel’s recreation and dining offerings connected with its main lobby gathering area.
The re-opening was marked with an onsite celebration attended by representatives from the Boston City Council and Mayor Michelle Wu’s office, who presented the restaurant with special city citation; Representative Kevin Honan of the 17th Suffolk District; and other community members, civic leaders and industry stakeholders.
“A heartfelt thank you to Spot On Ventures and Davis for welcoming Craft Food Halls into Studio Allston. At CFH, we strive to create more than just places to eat,” said Gardy Desrouleaux, Owner and Managing Partner at Craft Food Halls. “Our goal is to build spaces that celebrate people and foster genuine connection. It is a true joy to be part of such a vibrant and creative community, and we look forward to growing alongside our neighbors in Allston/Brighton.”
Craft Food Halls, accessed through the hotel’s lobby, spans 5,500 square feet of indoor space in addition to a large, 2,500 square foot outdoor courtyard for hosting events, live music and games.
As a unique twist to its service offering, the food hall boasts a self-serve alcohol model with digital technology that tracks consumption. The restaurant’s menu includes sous vide-cooked items, 90-second pizzas from an international award-winning chef and gourmet tacos. With app-based ordering and online pre-orders, Craft Food Halls provides guests with great food without lengthy wait times.
This is the 13th Craft Food Halls location in Massachusetts and the first in the Allston neighborhood. Founded by Doug Ferriman, founder of Oath Pizza and Crazy Dough, Melissa Ferriman and Gardy Desrouleaux, the first Craft Food Halls opened at City Point on 5th Ave in Waltham, MA. The group initially found success when communal dining spaces at suburban office buildings closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained attractive to patrons by offering a sense of community and connection over 5-star cuisine, drinks and events.
Situated within a fully restored 1960s vintage building, Studio Allston is nestled on the scenic banks of the Charles River in Boston’s Allston neighborhood. Opened in 2018 by Davis and partner Spot On Ventures, the boutique hotel offers 117 guest rooms and an experience that embodies a spirit of adventure and creativity with thematic, locally created art throughout the lobby, bar, meeting rooms, suites and each guest room. Spot On Ventures serves as the asset manager to the property.
“Craft Food Halls is a fantastic addition to the Allston neighborhood, providing an elevated and trend-forward option for hotel guests and community residents alike,” said Cappy Daume, Chief Portfolio Management Officer at Davis. “Creating fun and exciting guest experiences has been a priority at Studio Allston since its inception. We are proud to help bring Craft Food Halls to the neighborhood and greatly appreciate the support of the elected officials and community leaders who came together to celebrate its re-opening.”
Craft Food Halls Reopens in Allston
June 12, 2025 | Banker & Tradesman | Steve Adams
Craft Food Halls has reopened at the Studio Allston hotel on Soldiers Field Road with a promotional “sip and stay” package for hotel guests.
The food hall includes a rotating food menu, self-service alcohol stations and game rooms in a section of the hotel, which is owned by The Davis Companies, operated by Highgate and managed by Spot On Ventures.
The food hall was forced to shutter in 2024 after regulators discovered a discrepancy in records for a liquor license transfer, requiring the hotel to reapply for another license, The Boston Globe reported at the time.
The Studio Allston hotel offers a sip-and-stay promotion that includes a “welcome beer package” and gift card to the food hall, located next to the hotel lobby.
The food hall occupies 5,500 square feet and opens onto a 2,500 square-foot courtyard that hosts events, live music and games.
“Our goal is to build spaces that celebrate people and foster genuine connection. It is a true joy to be part of such a vibrant and creative community, and we look forward to growing alongside our neighbors in Allston/Brighton,” Craft Food Halls Owner and Managing Partner Gardy Desrouleaux said in a statement.
The 1234 Soldiers Field Road property is part of a site approved for a large development that has yet to break ground.
In 2023, the Boston Planning & Development Agency approved The Davis Companies’ plans for a 582,000 square-foot redevelopment of the property and 1240 Soldiers Field Road, including 450 apartments, 93 condominiums and a 195-room hotel.