Massive new retail project for Neponset Valley, Mass.

Another strategy: bringing big-city dining and entertainment to the suburbs. Legacy Place recently announced that Kings, the Boston bowling and billiards complex, has signed on as a tenant. Patriot Place is playing up the arrival of Davio's, the well-known Newbury Street bistro.

The development boom will change the habits of area residents used to traveling to Braintree's South Shore Plaza or Route 9 to shop, said McQuaid, of the Neponset Valley chamber.

"It's a region where we did not have major shopping malls," McQuaid said. "It's an area that has been growing (residentially) for the past 10 or 15 years, and now we're having a strong retail component closer to those developing communities."

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It's an area that has been growing (residentially) for the past 10 or 15 years, and now we're having a strong retail component closer to those developing communities.

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On commercial projects in the Neponset Valley

- Sue McQuaid, president and CEO of the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce

Legacy Place

Dedham

Developer: W/S Development/S.R. Weiner and National Amusements

Retail space: 650,000 square feet

Jobs: 1,200 (estimated)

Westwood Station

University Avenue, Westwood

Developer: Cabot, Cabot & Forbes

Retail space: 1.3 million square feet, possibly three hotels with 330 rooms

Jobs: 7,500

Sharon Commons

South Main Street, Sharon

Developer: Michael Intoccia

Retail space: 400,000 square feet

Walpole Mall

Route 1, Walpole

Developer: Kraft Group and SEi Cos.

Retail space: 75,000 additional square feet (including outbuildings)

Patriot Place

Foxboro

Developer: Kraft Group and SEi Cos.

Retail space: 1.3 million square feet and 200-room hotel

Jobs: 2,000