Gas stations disappearing in downtown Boston

BOSTON — In the gasoline business is all about location, just like in real estate, and that is causing the disappearance of urban gas stations.

The Elias family has gas stations in the suburbs and up until recently, the family owned one with a prime location – near to Fenway Park at the intersection of Boylston Street, Park Drive and Brookline Avenue.

"We wanted to grow. We wanted to expand,” said Claude Elias, relative of Joe Elias, who owns several stations.

The gas station would frequently sell out the gas station lot for parking during Red Sox games. Surrounded by luxury apartment buildings, restaurants and a city Target, Elias said the property became just too valuable.

The Boston Globe said it sold for $16.9 million in February.

“What he could make off the sale of the property, he could work the next 60 years and never see a third of that,” said Claude Elias, relative of Joe Elias, who owns several stations.

The declining number of gas stations around Boston is drastic as property value continue to rise.

"I definitely feel like it's harder to get gas. Like directly in Boston,” said Ashley Brooks.

Drivers have to head out to the suburbs or highways to get gasoline.

The Elias family doesn't have all the details for the new project here but they say it does not include a gas station.

Cox Media Group