Fenway Area Redevelopment

[el raval]

Seriously. Walking down this stretch of Boylston is now like running the fucking gauntlet.

If this offends your sensibilities, one presumes you're not walking all that much in Dorchester, Mission Hill or parts of Southie.
Unless it's an aural critique on the music played on that stretch of Boylston... viva la Berklee!

[kz1000ps]

Remy's is well underway:

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/2340/img4474.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/108/img4475i.jpg

And here's the Fenway Farm Stand in the old Goodyear(?) space:

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/4972/img4476c.jpg

[kz1000ps]

it's about time....

City spurred to tend to historic Fens structure

http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2009/12/07/1260243197_5017/539w.jpg

By Megan Irons
Globe Staff / December 8, 2009

For nine decades, the Agassiz Road Shelter stood as a respite in the Fens, offering bikers and walkers hurrying about their business a space for relief.

But the former restroom - commonly known as the Duck House, for reasons that appear to be long forgotten - has been boarded up and unused since a fire ripped through the stone structure in 1986, destroying its ceiling and roof.

Now a local effort is aiming to revive the historic building, which sits on the Muddy River shaded by tall trees and overlooking the tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce patches in the famed Victory Gardens.

Boston?s Parks and Recreation Department, with a coalition of residents, is soliciting ideas from businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs who might be interested in restoring it. Officials believe reviving the Duck House would improve public safety, boost activity at the site, and offer pedestrians a place to shop or dine.

?At this point we are open to anything,?? said Liza Meyer, who manages projects for the city?s historic parks. ?This is to see what kind of interest there is out there.??

Erica Mattison, a board member of the Fenway Civic Association who is pushing for the restoration, said ideas have been rolling in. Possible ventures include a gift shop, bookstore, bicycle rental facility, even a community center.

?There?s a lot of interest in using it as a cafe,?? said Mattison.

The Duck House is the second former restroom in the city parks system being considered for a possible dining establishment. Over the summer, three city councilors joined the Parks Department in seeking investors to transform a former men?s comfort station on Boston Common into a snack shop or restaurant.

At the time, park users on the Common called the idea innovative, though a bit unsavory. But Fenway residents seem to relish the notion of giving this boarded-up former restroom new life.

?They should make it into a Dunkin Donuts,?? yelled one cyclist as he wheeled off to work last month.

William Faucon, who has lived in the neighborhood for 25 years, added that a community center would be nice.

?I?d like to see it as a community center for the high school students and seniors in the area where they can have computer access,?? he said as he walked by the building yesterday.

Jerry Ramos, a former Fenway resident, said any use is better than the current disuse.

?They ought to do something about it,?? he said. ?That building has been on lock-down for more than 20 years.??

Designed by architect Alexander M. Longfellow, a nephew of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the Duck House was constructed about 1897 adjacent to the bridge on Agassiz Road, a short span that connects east and west Fenway.

The Duck House was built as a ?shelter station?? and sits on one of nine linked parks along the Emerald Necklace. The building?s rustic style and relationship to the historic area is key to the Fens, parks officials say.

?These structures that are abandoned with our parks system are a lost opportunity,?? said Ross, who is crusading for a restaurant on Boston Common. ?If we were to bring life back into them, it will vitalize the park and revitalize the area.??

Mattison said she and a fellow Civic Association member took up the Duck House effort two years ago after raking the grass outside the building and envisioning a building with windows and activity inside.

?It?s a beautiful building, and it hasn?t been used for anything for some time,?? she said. ?We were talking about how exciting it would be if the building were open to the public.??

It took a little persuading she said, because residents fussed about the cost of the extensive repairs needed. But eventually, Mattison said, a coalition was formed that included Ross, parks officials, historic preservationists, and students.

The building needs new electrical, heating, and water systems, and its granite exterior must be restored to preserve its character. Parks officials estimate that the exterior costs could top $900,000.

Link (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/12/08/city_spurred_to_tend_to_historic_fens_structure/)

[kennedy]

$900,000?! Are you kidding me? It's practically a hut!

[JohnAKeith]

So were both this and the other restroom near Emerson closed down because of guys having sex in them? It's never been written about in the press.

[kz1000ps]

The article says fire did in the Fenway one, but I don't think it'd surprise anyone if that ^ was the real culprit.

[jass]

kz1000ps inspired me. Yesterday

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3937.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3938.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3939.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3940.jpg


This was closed before
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3941.jpg

Across the street
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3942.jpg


Never seen this open, what is it?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3943.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3944.jpg


This is always empty
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3945.jpg


:( :( :( :(
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3946.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3947.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3948.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3949.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3950.jpg



TERRIBLE, MY EYES, MY EEEYEEEES
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3952.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3953.jpg
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http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/IMG_3956.jpg

[Shepard]

What's the random brick pillar in front of Pad Thai?

[kz1000ps]

Dunno, but it's been there for years.

[Ron Newman]

The bookstore has paper in the windows -- is it closing or not yet open?

T-Mobile really needs to be replaced by something useful.

Are the metal rail fences for restaurant outdoor seating areas?

[Justin7]

I think the railings are for safety, due to the drop off. Terrible solution though.

[bbfen]

The bookstore has paper in the windows -- is it closing or not yet open?

T-Mobile really needs to be replaced by something useful.

Are the metal rail fences for restaurant outdoor seating areas?

? ... the bookstore moved months ago, and the old one (shown) is being renovated by Boloco.

What do you have against T-Mobile serving a community? As I understand it, it's a franchised small business leasing the space from a local business magnate.

[kennedy]

The problem is the damn sign blocking the sidewalk.

[bbfen]

The problem is the damn sign blocking the sidewalk.

But it's not blocking the sidewalk, it's on private property. ??

[kz1000ps]

Yeah, the only public part of this whole mess is the narrow sidewalk strip right up against the curb, while all the newly-made plazas and whatnot are private property. This stems from the original 16-foot setback required across the entire Back Bay.

[Shepard]

Did the T-Mobile store somehow opt out of this? It's the only storefront that has no "plaza" in front of it, rather just an elongated slope.

Also, a coffee shop called "Pavement" is opening on that strip soon... wonder where they got the inspiration for their name?


EDIT: found the info about T-mobile from the following article which is so hilarious it needs to be quoted in full:

How Dream Became Reality on Boylston Street10:22 AM Posted by Stephen Brophy

Architect's view of the future
Boylston Street. Image provided
by Berklee College of Music

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9MbYp0xl61U/SsiwJXBuElI/AAAAAAAAAIo/fIkSbdeHyqg/s320/2009-07-

BY STEPHEN BROPHY

When Mike Ross, our district City Councilor, approached property owners on the stretch of Boylston St. between Mass. Ave. and Hemenway St. about doing something to upgrade the ugly sidewalk in front of their buildings, he got a lot of ?been there, done that.? One owner told him that talk about fixing the eyesore had gone back more than 30 years, and nothing had ever happened. But Ross had a couple of persistent supporters in Walter Hunt, a nearby resident who has worked for community improvement for years, and David Hornfisher, then the VP in charge of property for Berklee College of Music.

On October 15, Ross, Hunt, and Berklee President Roger Brown will be among the people gathered to celebrate the completion of a project that had evaded the plans of their predecessors. From 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Fenway residents and passersby will be serenaded by a student quartet and feast on snacks provided by some of the merchants in the area, including Spike?s Junkyard Dog, Boloco, the Teriyaki House, Crazy Dough?s, and the Pavement Coffee House. (This last business, an offshoot of the popular Expresso Royale coffee bars in the neighborhood, will not have opened its doors yet, but hopes to be in place by mid-November.)

?We ran into a fair amount of skepticism when I came along and tried to make this happen,? Ross remembers. ?Most of the business owners had been down this road. It was also complicated by the fact that the situation was constantly changing. When we would finally have a memo of understanding among the owners and the city, one of the buildings would change hands and we?d have to start from scratch again.? Johanna Sena, Ross?s director of community relations, adds, ?Though we generally don?t support institutions? purchasing properties in the community, Berklee?s ownership of several properties was the catalyst for this project, as it made it much easier dealing with fewer owners, not to mention they wanted this us much as we did.?

Another complication was juggling the private owners? plans with the City?s part of the project. The building owners are responsible for everything up to 15 feet out from the storefronts, and the City for the rest. But the City has to plan its street and sidewalk improvements many months, sometimes years, in advance, which made it harder to agree on a mutually agreeable timeline for the venture. Ross praised the participation of City agencies like the Department of Neighborhood Development, but he singled out the work of Frank O?Brien in the Department of Public Works. ?His team was stupendous?they did great work and they never gave up,? Ross enthuses.

He also has praise for a couple of the more diligent business people. ?Robert Walsh [property manager for the Bank of Boston on the corner of Mass. Ave. and Boylston] is the kind of property manager I?d like to have if I owned a business?he believed in the project and as a result he helped to make it happen.? Ross also had praise for Neal Campbell of the Hamilton Company, which owns a couple of buildings on the block. Last, but certainly not least, Ross insists that Sena in his office was ?the glue that held it all together.?

No one, least of all Ross, wanted to go on record as criticizing Patrick Lyons, owner of the building occupied by T-Mobile, but he refused to go along with the plan. As a result the T-Mobile front looks like the gap tooth in an otherwise beautiful smile. (Perhaps T-Mobile should demand a reduction in its rent for the reduction of good will their landlord?s inaction is sure to cause them.)

Few will be thinking of Lyons on October 15, however. Most of the people who gather on Boylston St. will be celebrating the vision and persistence of a consortium of private business peopel and public servants who took one of the ugliest blocks in Boston and turned it into a place where pedestrians will want to linger.

Of course, this Lyons fellow was extremely wise... the T Mobile store is the most inviting and accessible of them all.

[pelhamhall]

I'm going to try to be nice.

Mike Ross continues to be... unimpressive.

Worse than just a dumb guy, he's a dumb guy who thinks he's a smart guy. It's a much more dangerous scenario than if he were just a simple, dumb guy who knew his limitations.

I guess I'm not able to be nice.

[jass]

I'm going to try to be nice.

Mike Ross continues to be... unimpressive.

Worse than just a dumb guy, he's a dumb guy who thinks he's a smart guy. It's a much more dangerous scenario than if he were just a simple, dumb guy who knew his limitations.

I guess I'm not able to be nice.


He's an idiot, and probably the worst elected official in the city.

[kz1000ps]

BoCo addition:

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2716/img4874.jpg

More of the new look:

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9848/img4875z.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/2470/img4877hi.jpg

[czsz]

What's the BoCo addition?

[kz1000ps]

Oops, completely forgot that the BoCo project has its own thread: http://www.archboston.org/community/showthread.php?t=2815

[bbfen]

Of course, this Lyons fellow was extremely wise... the T Mobile store is the most inviting and accessible of them all.

"Inviting and accessible" may be true when it's dry, the other 11 months of the year, it fucking sucks. The incline is a wet menace. I think kzps100ps (sp?) lived nearby for a while. True?

Oh wait ... was that sarcasm?

Rumor was the building was in such bad shape it cost double the estimate to bring it up to code.

[kz1000ps]

The incline in front of the T Mobile isn't horrible; it got worse the closer you were to the old Looney Tunes plaza. Still, the first day I officially moved into the old apartment on that block I slipped on some ice with a Crazy Dough pizza in my hands... of course the box spilled wide open, and I had a sore hip for a day or two.

[BostonYoureMyHome]

SOOO anything new going on with Rosenthal's project?

[Boston02124]

yesterday http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/366-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/310-1.jpg

[ablarc]

Your photos are the modern-day equivalent of polaroids. Do you use a cellphone camera?

[Boston02124]

no just take a lot of pixs from far away so they come out fuzzy sometimes!

[palindrome]

lets start a " buy Boston02124 a new camera" fund. I am in for $10!

[AmericanFolkLegend]

$10

[kz1000ps]

I think it's more like "let's buy Boston02124 a telephoto lens or two."

[ablarc]

I see ... so he zooms digitally on his computer !?

If he were around, Warhol would be intrigued.

[Boston02124]

^ both!I mostly take pixs while driveing ,so a telephoto lens is no good to me,then like Ablarc said I crop the pix to see what I got close up! I really don't know what I'm getting until I upload then crop

[Boston02124]

An example from today^ drive-by pix http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/150-3.jpg cropped (what I was hopeing to capture) http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/1500-2-1.jpgcropped again(bonus pix! did'nt realize I capture the next pix until I cropped it)but a little blury,If I could stand on the highway ramp then I could use a telephoto lens and get the pixs I really want ,not that crazy yet lol!http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/15000.jpg

[czsz]

Stop the car once in awhile!

[ablarc]

... and wait for the cymbal crash of oblivion.

[kz1000ps]

FINALLY

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4457984009_3be95a098d_b.jpg

[AmericanFolkLegend]

For single story retail, that's actually not a bad looking building. Can someone remind me what was there before?

[palindrome]

I think is was the WBCN headquarters back wen they existed.

[mass88]

Will anyone be forking over $500 for a season pass to Remmy's during Red Sox season?

[GW2500]

What does a season pass get you? If it gets you free food for 162 games thats probably a good deal.

[statler]

^^
Your package includes:

* An autographed picture with Jerry Remy at your table* (Priceless)
* A $25 food credit plus one complimentary beer or glass of wine - PER VISIT
* A 20% discount on all merchandise sold at Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill
* Front of line privileges
* Exclusive invitations to special events
* Private dining room fee waived for all pre-booked events and parties
* Guaranteed seating for you and your guests
In addition to your season tickets benefits:

BIG screen seating at a table of YOUR choice**

Priority Reservations**

[GW2500]

If you really really really like cheese burgers, you could get some good value out of this deal.

[AmericanFolkLegend]

For this to be a good deal you need to:
1. Live next door.
2. Be a raging alcoholic.
3. Be willing to gain 35 lbs over the next 200 days.

[kennedy]

Well to be honest it's a better deal than most college meal plans.

[GW2500]

AmericanFolk, exactly. Its for the Homer Simpsons of America. God bless them.

[ManchVegas]

This place will be pink hat hell.

[smw2340]

^^

Actually not a bad deal considering it pays for itself after the 16th time (assuming $5/beer). Much cheaper than attending a handful of games + eating & drinking.

The one sticking point is that if you're the only one out of your friends/girlfriend/wife to have this season pass, are you just going to sit by yourself at this bar and watch the games and wait for your friends to come in after sitting in line? Not sure how that is supposed to work.

[BostonUrbEx]

Actually not a bad deal considering it pays for itself after the 16th time (assuming $5/beer). Much cheaper than attending a handful of games + eating & drinking.

The one sticking point is that if you're the only one out of your friends/girlfriend/wife to have this season pass, are you just going to sit by yourself at this bar and watch the games and wait for your friends to come in after sitting in line? Not sure how that is supposed to work.

"* Guaranteed seating for you and your guests"

:)



How much are actual Red Sox season tickets, anyways?

[smw2340]

"* Guaranteed seating for you and your guests"

:)



How much are actual Red Sox season tickets, anyways?

Thanks, I missed that! Then maybe it is a very good deal?

[stellarfun]

NY Times article on Remy's

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/sports/baseball/05bar.html?hp

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/04/05/us/05bar01_span/05bar01_span-articleLarge.jpg

[jass]

Nice to see the outdoor seating.

[Mike]

Fenway residents balk at plan for 300 seats on eatery?s roof
Remy raising bar
By Thomas Grillo
Tuesday, April 13, 2010


Fenway neighbors are crying foul over Jerry Remy?s plans to add rooftop seating to his brand-new restaurant behind Fenway Park [map] - nearly doubling its capacity.

?It feels like bait and switch,? said William Richardson, president of the Fenway Civic Association. ?They never mentioned anything about doubling the size of the restaurant when we supported the idea for the 325-seat restaurant steakhouse last year.?

Three weeks after Jerry Remy?s Sports Bar & Grill opened in the shadow of Fenway Park, Remy wants to add another 300 seats. The eatery, in the former WBCN [website] building on Boylston Street, is co-owned by Remy, the Red Sox [team stats] color analyst for New England Sports Network. The restaurant leases the space from New England Sports Ventures, which owns Fenway Park, the Red Sox and an 80 percent share of NESN. The $5 million restaurant features a $28 Grilled Cowboy Rib Eye and the $9 RemDawg hot dog.

Richardson said the neighborhood will not approve an expansion, because the restaurant?s management has yet to prove they?re good neighbors. ?On the first day they opened, the line was so long that pedestrians were forced into the street,? he said. ?We?re wary about how the management operates the restaurant, and a dramatic expansion like this on the heels of them opening raises lots of questions.?

Managing partner John Mascia insists that the owners did not know about the expansion until very recently. ?An expansion was never in our budget or on our agenda when we first opened,? he said. ?We started to talk about it and met with neighborhood representatives to explain that we would spend money on it and do it tastefully.?

Mascia, who is known for the Bomboa, La Bettola and Galleria Italiana restaurants, said he went to the neighborhood first before filing an application with the city. ?We understand they?re concerned about too many seats,? he said. ?We want to work with the neighbors.?


Link (http://bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1246750)

[GW2500]

300 outdoor seats (on a roof) next to a 38K stadium.... Where is the problem.

[aquaman]

That's kind of like moving next to Logan and complaining about the noisy planes.

I love when people move next door to a known "menace" (in this case, a stadium with bright lights, a blaring public address system, filled with over 35000 screaming fans), something which existed long before they were born, and then oppose its natural expansion. Adding 300 seats to a restaurant roof so people can dine al fresco before hitting the game is peanuts. Maybe if they had the extra space to accomodate 300 patrons, the crowd wouldn't have lined up out in the streets as this guy complained.

I doubt they'd put expensive high def screens on the roof deck, so the upstairs will likely empty out once the games start at 7:05. What's wrong about that???

[palindrome]

?On the first day they opened, the line was so long that pedestrians were forced into the street,?

i fail to see how this is the restaurants fault.

This restaurant isn't even that close to residential.

this guy needs to move to Norton.

[ManchVegas]

The Cask wanted rooftop seating years ago and that was blocked. I can't see how a rooftop deck will harm the neighborhood. It'll draw more people to the area and they may even spend money at other local businesses.

[JohnAKeith]

That's a lot of people; don't dismiss people's concerns so casually, consider their points.

[Shepard]

Whose concerns? The president of the Fenway Civic Association? Exactly whose concerns is he channeling?? Show me the petition from residents and businesses within earshot, and then maybe we can consider their points.

[Lurker]

Boylston Street is being rebuilt with wider sidewalks in the coming year. Crowding from one restaurant expansion isn't going to be as big of an issue following that.

With so many problems in that neighborhood: a goldmine of non-resident illegal parking the city refuses to ticket and tow, the reeds sleaze and druggies vs. the gardeners battle, litter from all the Sox fans and very few trash barrels or compactors to contain it, missing or heavily damaged pedestrian bridges, the loss of the mounted police, and outdated traffic/street lights/inaccessible curb cuts, one would think the civic association would be picking their battles. Methinks this is another case of 'civic' extortion on the behalf of a very select few.

One wonders what kind of hell the HoJo next door is going to go through in its redevelopment meetings. The stretch deserves better than a Midtown 2.0.

[GW2500]

I try to hear concerns, but ever since 2002 when I started reading about developments, I've just about allways disagreed w/ the concerns. And in this instance I again disagree. When you include all the clubs and bars right around the park, over 40k people come to fenway for home games. I can't see how an additional 300 going onto a roof near by makes any difference to the residents who choose to live near there.

[Ron Newman]

On game days the 300 people on the roof will have no added impact, but perhaps the civic association is concerned about noise from them on non-game days? Just guessing here ...

[jass]

On game days the 300 people on the roof will have no added impact, but perhaps the civic association is concerned about noise from them on non-game days? Just guessing here ...

Theres already a bar across the street with rooftop dining. Not for 300 people, no, but I havent heard any complaints about that. (I think its called the baseball tavern)

Remys doesnt have ANY residential neighbors. The closest resident lives across the street, behind the above mentioned bar.

[gooseberry]

Heaven forbid a new local business be a success. Lines out the door, expanded seating areas... how awful!

[HenryAlan]

I can't see the noise from the roof deck exceeding the noise of Boylston St. traffic. And how many days are we talking about here? The baseball season is six months long. The other six months do not offer suitable climate conditions for al fresco dining. During the six months, roughly 94 days do not have a scheduled game. Some of those days will be rainy, some will be week nights, etc. I suspect there are really only 20 days or so each year when you might see 300 people up there without a home game. Again, won't the street noises exceed the crowd noise anyway?

[bbfen]

I'm not opposed to this, in principle. Except for the utter bullshit that John Mascia is peddling. An "expansion was never in [the] budget or on [the] agenda"? Riiiiiiight........

[PaulC]

How can a kitchen designed for 325 customers handle an additional 300? I would bet it was designed for 625 customers.

[kennedy]

Perhaps the deck will only serve light fare and drinks? Or they may be trying to build an al fresco kitchen or grill to cook for the added customers.

[bbfen]

Perhaps the deck will only serve light fare and drinks? Or they may be trying to build an al fresco kitchen or grill to cook for the added customers.

No way it wasn't engineered (structure, layout, MEP) for future development of the roof. They knew they were height-limited. This is the only way they could expand. It's surprising how quick they decided to announce though.

[mass88]

How can a kitchen designed for 325 customers handle an additional 300? I would bet it was designed for 625 customers.

Have you eaten at Remmy's yet? Everything if fried in oil, they will simply double the number of cookers.

[briv]

Last week's Courant had an article on the Fenway "Restaurant Row" rebuilding project on Peterborough Street. According to the article, the owner of the property is proposing adding 5 floors of housing above the restaurants. His previous proposal had a boutique hotel going above them instead.

If I still had the paper I would have scanned it in and posted it, but it got thrown out.

[gooseberry]

That would be excellent. What are the chances the Fenway neighborhood association won't be whole heartedly against it?

[palindrome]

Besides the rooftop deck debaticle, development seems to be pretty streamline (relatively speaking) around the fenway area.

[briv]

Right. Actually, according the article, the switch over from hotel to housing was made, at least partly, at the behest of the neighborhood. It appears the community is very supportive of this.

[Lurker]

I wouldn't say the neighborhood appears to be very supportive when there hasn't been any kind of public meeting or notice since the boutique hotel was proposed and then changed to residences. The owner(s)/developer are probably fumbling through schematic design right now without the slightest clue, besides profit, of what they want.

Given the community strongly supported the promised rapid restoration of the site and the project has been delayed or changed multiple times now without any public updates, I'd expect there to be some discontent. After making some very public promises for a speedy rebuilding in kind a meandering opaque process is not a good way to expend what good will the developer had.

But there are more important questions to ask about this project, such as; WHY WHY WHY DO I HAVE TO GO SO VERY FAR AWAY FOR EL PELON NOW?

[palindrome]

didn't know where to put this so here:

Fenway, Roxbury projects signaling retail resurgence
By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff | May 25, 2010

High-profile merchant Target Corp. and natural-foods grocer Whole Foods Market Inc. are eyeing major expansions in the Fenway, while Kohl?s Corp. is considering a smaller version of its discount department store in Roxbury ? all signs of a renewed optimism in the Hub retail market.

The plans were described yesterday by Mayor Thomas M. Menino and other city officials familiar with the development plans. Menino, who this week is drumming up business for the city at a retail convention in Las Vegas, also reported that Panera Bread Co. is planning to open a restaurant in part of the shuttered Circuit City at South Bay Center in Dorchester.

And CB2, a home furnishings chain by Crate & Barrel aimed at young adults, is vying to locate in Fenway, at one of the new projects on Boylston Street by Boston developer Steve Samuels, the mayor said.

?We see the economy is getting a little better this year and people are thinking about expansions, new locations, and new concepts,?? Menino said. ?Whole Foods, Target, and CB2 ? they?re really excited about the Fenway area. They see the demographic and the great potential with the medical centers and college students.??

It?s a striking difference in tone from last year, when Menino, for the first time in 16 years, didn?t even attend the annual Global Retail Real Estate Convention because of the tough economic climate.

The recession has hit the Boston retail market particularly hard, with vacancies soaring to 11.6 percent in 2009, compared with 9.7 percent for Eastern Massachusetts, according to KeyPoint Partners LLC, a market research firm.

But there is cautious optimism as consumers slowly resume their shopping habits. Nearly 70 percent of US retailers believe that the overall economy is improving, and 92 percent are planning to increase store openings, according to a survey released last week by CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. Newbury Street has already started to see the uptick: More than a dozen new shops opened in recent months, and another 14 businesses are set to debut in the coming months.

Although no deals have been finalized, Target, Whole Foods, and CB2 have been in serious negotiations for months to move into a planned complex at the Goodyear site located at 1345 Boylston St. and an adjacent property at 1325 Boylston St., according to city officials, including Susan Elsbree, a spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Target is considering a three-story urban format with upwards of 130,000 square feet, which would make the store one of just about 40 Target shops nationwide that are spread over multiple floors or have a unique floor plan, the officials said. The project will soon start the permitting process, and developers are hoping to complete the site over the next three years.

Target, which has about 31 stores in Massachusetts, declined to confirm plans for Fenway, but Sarah Bakken, company spokeswoman, said, ?Boston is a market that Target continues to be interested in for future expansion.??

Robin Rehfield, a Whole Foods spokeswoman, also declined to confirm plans to move to the Fenway, but said, ?We?re always exploring new sites in and around Boston, but we don?t comment on speculation surrounding specific store sites.??

Samuels, who developed Trilogy and 1330 Boylston Street in Fenway, said: ?We?re working with a big discount store, a grocery store, some other furniture stores, and other national retailers who are showing significant renewed interest in the Fenway.??

?People are finally starting to realize there?s great transportation and demographics. It?s been overlooked for many, many years as the domain of the ballpark and medical centers,?? said Samuels.

Madison Riley, a retail analyst with Kurt Salmon Associates in Boston, said Fenway is an appealing market for many retailers because there is a good neighborhood in addition to all the foot traffic that comes with the Red Sox games. Upgrades to Fenway Park that include more seats and expanded food options, along with new retail and residential projects in the neighborhood, ?give a lot of people confidence that this is a good place to invest,?? Riley said.

Tasty Burger and Citizen, a gastropub launched by the owners of Franklin Cafe in the South End, are two of the latest restaurants expected to open in the Fenway later this summer.

Retailers are also pursuing other sites across the city. In addition to the South Bay location, Panera has plans to open restaurants on Boylston Street in the Back Bay and Huntington Avenue near Northeastern University. Panera declined to confirm these locations, but John Maguire, the company?s co-chief operating officer, said in a statement, ?We view Boston as one of Panera?s strongest development opportunities in the country and hope to open three more locations this year.??

Smith & Wollensky steakhouse is also eyeing the Atlantic Wharf on the waterfront to test its new, lower-priced concept, Wollensky?s Grill, according to Menino. A Smith & Wollensky spokeswoman declined to comment.

In past years, Downtown Crossing has been a focal point of Menino?s pitch to retailers. But plans for a neighborhood revival spearheaded by the redevelopment of the Filene?s block at One Franklin Street are coming up short since the project lost financing.

In the meantime, city officials are aggressively marketing the former Tello?s site on Washington Street and hope momentum in other parts of Downtown Crossing will eventually breathe life into the Filene?s redevelopment.

?It?s frustrating. No questions about it,?? Menino said. ?They can?t just sit idly by.??

Jenn Abelson can be reached at abelson@globe.com.

[gooseberry]

That's nice. It's sad that Boston has been converted to a shopping center full of corporate chains, but what can you do? It's like living in (insert generic American city of your choice) only much more expensive.

[vanshnookenraggen]

That's nice. It's sad that Boston has been converted to a shopping center full of corporate chains, but what can you do? It's like living in (insert generic American city of your choice) only much more expensive.

Everyone complains and then shops there anyway. This is the world we live in, these are the stores. Yeah mom and pop stores are cute but the economic reality of the world is that those stores won't make it (most small businesses fail within the first year).

This is welcome news.

[mass88]

As long as Walmart never enters the city of Boston's limits, we will be ok. I avoid it like the plague.

[mass88]

That's nice. It's sad that Boston has been converted to a shopping center full of corporate chains, but what can you do? It's like living in (insert generic American city of your choice) only much more expensive.

Boston is still a far more unique city than say Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando, Tampa, Dallas, Houston, etc.

[palindrome]

Haha just reread this whole tread and stumbled upon this: (post #103)

The biggest cliche's in pre-development real estate marketing/PR in Boston in 2008:

1) Shopping "like Newbury Street"
2) A park "like Post Office Square"
3) A great development for a Whole Foods

Of course the reality is always:
1) Shopping like a strip mall, but with benches
2) Empty, unused "open space" to the side to appease the activists/crazies
3) Dollar Tree and the Dress Barn Now Open!

looks like pelhamhall called this 2 years ago.

Anyways, If wholefoods does open up, I hope it puts pressure on the Shaws site to begin redevelopment.

[portnorfolk]

As long as Walmart never enters the city of Boston's limits, we will be ok. I avoid it like the plague.

the south bay target is bad enough...I quiver everytime I think about stepping foot in there.

[Ron Newman]

Although I'm not a big fan of big box stores, a Target in this location (adjoining BU and zillions of smaller schools) makes eminent sense.

[jass]

College students love Target. A location there would immediately become one of targets best performing stores.

[bbfen]

College students love Target. A location there would immediately become one of targets best performing stores.

I wonder how they'll handle parking. Someone at BRA told me a few years ago they couldn't convince the big box retailers that the student density was as high as it is. I guess the concern was if not ample parking to get drivers there the store would fail.

I'm encouraged by someone willing to think outside the box. As any of us living/working in the area know, the neighborhood is packed with the "target" audience. hehehe.


EDIT: WAS I DRUNK WHEN I WROTE THAT OR WHAT? AM I RIGHT?

[ablarc]

Multi-story parking would satisfy everyone. Retail at ground level.

[Ron Newman]

And some of such a garage could double as expensive paid parking for Fenway Park.

[portnorfolk]

who'se been to the new Target in Stoughton?? its big, clean and amazing...parking underneath the store (ground level, store @ second level) and an escalator for your shopping cart! Parking footprint solved. Also great for snow/rainy days. And a Starbucks included. Has a 5 star rating on Yelp.

http://static1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/6hDLQBnyuPm-H0mL6bTRWg/l

[Suffolk 83]

Ron, how would that work, the store would be open during at least the beginning of every game.

[Ron Newman]

True, but the store might not need all of the parking for itself on weeknights.

[palindrome]

who'se been to the new Target in Stoughton?? its big, clean and amazing...parking underneath the store (ground level, store @ second level) and an escalator for your shopping cart! Parking footprint solved. Also great for snow/rainy days. And a Starbucks included. Has a 5 star rating on Yelp.

http://static1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/6hDLQBnyuPm-H0mL6bTRWg/l

not bad for a big box, but lets put the parkng on 3-4 levels underground and have target and a few other retailers at ground level.

The new Star Market in Chestnut Hill achieves this somewhat. There are a few new retail outlets on one side of the building and the reverse side is parking and loading docks. The store itself is on the second level.

[AmericanFolkLegend]

who'se been to the new Target in Stoughton?? its big, clean and amazing...parking underneath the store (ground level, store @ second level) and an escalator for your shopping cart! Parking footprint solved. Also great for snow/rainy days. And a Starbucks included. Has a 5 star rating on Yelp.

I was stunned by how nice that Target is. And kudos to the developer for putting parking under the building. Land is cheap enough in Stoughton that I expected a "Jordan's Furniture-style" 15 acre parking lot.

[GW2500]

I swear the Target on Arsenal St in Watertown purposely blocks your cellphone recpetion.

[mass88]

The South Bay Target is very popular with college students, namely from the Fenway Area (Northeastern, Wentworth, Simmons, Wheelock, etc.) During move in some of the schools even provide bus shuttles to and from Target.

While the Target at South Bay is not the best....it could be worse....as in it could be Walmart.

[vanshnookenraggen]

Multi-story parking would satisfy everyone. Retail at ground level.

The new(ish) IKEA in Brooklyn actually has the parking on the ground level and the store is elevated above.

[Beton Brut]

A shame Boston's climate won't allow for something this cool (http://www.eikongraphia.com/?p=2377).

[bbfen]

The South Bay Target is very popular with college students, namely from the Fenway Area (Northeastern, Wentworth, Simmons, Wheelock, etc.) During move in some of the schools even provide bus shuttles to and from Target.

While the Target at South Bay is not the best....it could be worse....as in it could be Walmart.

Yeah, the SB Target is a damn dump due to all of SB being a damn dump.

A smart, quirky, innovative design on the Boylston Extension would be a boon to the neighborhood and profit-generator for Target.

Although I usually decry "big box" retailers, Target would give those overpriced assholes at Landmark (Bed/Bath and Staples) some much-needed competition.

[Ron Newman]

The product offerings of Target and Staples don't overlap very much. I doubt that either company regards the other as a competitor.

[erikyow]

The new(ish) IKEA in Brooklyn actually has the parking on the ground level and the store is elevated above.

Isn't that how at least most of the parking at the IKEA Stoughton is laid out? I know there's some parking on the entrance level, but I seem to recall most of the parking is situated under the building. Then again, it's been almost three years since I was last there, so I could be mistaken.

I'm a huge fan of grocery stores going this route since grocery stores are, by and large, the one large format store I find myself going to most often and I hate having to walk across three acres of parking to get to the door.

[vanshnookenraggen]

The product offerings of Target and Staples don't overlap very much. I doubt that either company regards the other as a competitor.

Buy a crappy desk in one place then go across the parking lot to get stuff to fill it up!

[bbfen]

The product offerings of Target and Staples don't overlap very much. I doubt that either company regards the other as a competitor.

Think like a college student, Ron. When you're trying to furnish your crappy dorm room in the cheapest way possible, without getting on the scary MBTA, Staples is certainly a consideration. And that location knows it.

[palindrome]

Landmark Center may grow
8-story office addition eyed for Fenway site
By Thomas Grillo | Thursday, May 27, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com

Landmark Center is about to become a bigger Boston landmark.

The Abbey Group has filed plans with the city for an eight-story addition to the one million-square-foot office and retail development at the intersection of Brookline Avenue and Boylston Street in the Fenway neighborhood.

If approved, the developer would build a 308,337-square-foot office building atop the Landmark Center?s four-story parking garage at the rear of the complex on Fullerton Street. The addition will offer 34,000 to 46,000 square feet per floor for use as office, laboratory, clinical and research space.

Joseph Sciolla, managing principal at Cresa Partners, a Boston brokerage that exclusively represents tenants, said while there are millions of square feet of available space at low prices in Boston, expanding the Landmark Center makes sense because of its proximity to the Longwood Medical Area, where land is scarce for new construction.

?That section of the Fenway has the best chance of success over the next few years because it?s located so close to (Longwood),? he said. ?They are hoping that medical tenants that need to expand will kick that project off. The area has retail, residential and public transportation.?

The proposal comes as the Abbey Group faces a number of financial challenges.

State Street Corp., the financial services giant, will not renew its lease for 135,000 square feet of space at the Lafayette Corporate Center, a six-story office building that Abbey owns behind Macy?s in downtown.

Meanwhile, sales of the Abbey Group?s 138-unit luxury condominium project at 45 Province St. in Downtown Crossing have yet to take off. Only 17 units have sold, including two this year.

David Epstein, the Abbey Group?s president, did not return a call seeking comment yesterday.


follow the link for a rendering.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1257639

[HenryAlan]

follow the link for a rendering.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1257639

Amazing, they've managed to design an office park on top of the garage, right down to the grass. In theory, I like the idea of multi-level terracing to go with height, but this is downright ugly.

[AmericanFolkLegend]

It's like an alien spaceship from the planet Waltham landed on the garage.

[Shepard]

Ordinarily I'd ask why they're building on a garage rather than build on the adjacent Landmark Center parking lot - right next to Fenway Station. A good spot for some in-fill, you'd think?

Alas, though, I do agree with this design. Let's save that in-fill spot for a competent architect, and leave the Starship Waltham high up and out of sight.

[Beton Brut]

At least the addition to Landmark Center will be contextual (http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f236/Ned_Flaherty/Fenway-1.jpg)...

Fail.

[BostonYoureMyHome]

Ouch...who is the architect?

[Ron Newman]

I'm guessing that the grass is a 'green roof' initiative. Are they trying to get LEED certification?

[jass]

Ordinarily I'd ask why they're building on a garage rather than build on the adjacent Landmark Center parking lot - right next to Fenway Station. A good spot for some in-fill, you'd think?

Alas, though, I do agree with this design. Let's save that in-fill spot for a competent architect, and leave the Starship Waltham high up and out of sight.

They announced plans 1-2 years ago to build more retail on the surface lot, but we havent heard anything since. Perhaps this office building means the retail plans are still progressing.

[HenryAlan]

I'm guessing that the grass is a 'green roof' initiative. Are they trying to get LEED certification?

Yeah, that's my guess, too. Doesn't everybody in Boston try for LEED these days? The mayor is a fan, so certification certainly helps ease things through the byzantine approval process.

[JSic]

My that's ugly, but hey, its over the pike and it brings some height and density to the area.

[found5dollar]

oh my god... when you look Ugly up in the dictionary....

I really hope it is just a horrible rendering or a massing model.....

but adding density is always a good thing...

i really like ellipses today....

[Arborway]

I'm really, really hoping the architect is following a very specific edict from the developers. This proposal is absolutely thoughtless.

[Ron Newman]

Considering that the original Sears building is now called 'The Landmark Center', you'd think the owner would have some respect for it.

[Arborway]

In thirty years someone will post an article detailing how the Landmark Center will be undergoing a renovation and restoration. A process that will include the removal of the ill-advised addition constructed in the early 21st century.

I love how contemporary architects continually rail against the destructive impulses of 1960s urban renewal and movements such as brutalism and all of its anti-contextual glory, while simultaneously proposing project after project that repeat the same mistakes. But instead of concrete we get glass.

[bdurden]

Target has already created some pretty decent, urban stores with parking (above the store):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v189/egveitekki/orlanda%202008/DSC01617.jpg
This example is better than Stoughton's.

[czsz]

You call that decent? I wouldn't want that within 100 miles of Boston.

[FSUViking]

The flagship store in downtown Minneapolis with the 30-story world HQ in the background:

http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/250efa0f-a8a1-43ad-a5e3-1328c584b814.jpg

http://cf.juggle-images.com/fit/white/600x600/wg-target-corporation-4.jpg

[Arborway]

PoMo disaster.

[kennedy]

Looks like a bigger, shoddier version of Niketown Boston.

[bdurden]

You call that decent? I wouldn't want that within 100 miles of Boston.

Surely it's better than South Bay, the Target in Watertown, the Target in Somerville, and anything built at Wellington Station.

[Ron Newman]

I agree, though I won't blame Target for any of those buildings. The Somerville and Watertown Targets were originally Bradlees, while the South Bay one was a K-Mart.

[kennedy]

How about blaming Target for this monstrosity? (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Chesterfield,+MO&sll=38.316706,-91.025499&sspn=1.456754,1.71936&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Chesterfield,+St.+Louis,+Missouri&ll=38.666865,-90.585623&spn=0.011326,0.013433&z=16&layer=c&cbll=38.666857,-90.585525&panoid=rt30WUNzdI_Jbqov0_dpqQ&cbp=12,183.86,,0,-9.38)

[Arborway]

How about blaming Target for this monstrosity? (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Chesterfield,+MO&sll=38.316706,-91.025499&sspn=1.456754,1.71936&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Chesterfield,+St.+Louis,+Missouri&ll=38.666865,-90.585623&spn=0.011326,0.013433&z=16&layer=c&cbll=38.666857,-90.585525&panoid=rt30WUNzdI_Jbqov0_dpqQ&cbp=12,183.86,,0,-9.38)

I'm not sure how anyone could think that was a good idea. Everything about that is terrible. Everything.

[Ron Newman]

I can also blame them for the one in Everett, which also has a big blank wall and wasn't converted from some other chain.

[kennedy]

The Great(land) Wall of Target?

That one I showed in Street View is part of the world's longest strip mall - upwards of a mile and a half of unbroken parking lots and big box stores.

[CDubs]

Yesterday I was walking down Van Ness over near Fenway, and saw what looked like Puma City - and it is! Puma City's back in town:

Puma City Comes To Fenway. Phoenix Employees Consider Base-Jumping Into Parties.
Published Jul 19 2010, by Chris Faraone (http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/phlog/archive/2010/07/19/puma-city-comes-to-fenway-phoenix-employees-consider-base-jumping-into-parties.aspx)

Unlike expired daily newspaper scribes who mail in columns from the suburbs, here at the Phoenix we like to hit the block and report things. But even if we didn't want to leave the office - there's a whole lot of news popping right outside of our Brookline Ave offices (this classic In Living Color riff on Tracy Chapman comes to mind). In the past few months alone: Ben Affleck and his crew filmed scenes from The Town at Fenway; nearby a young man died following the Celtics victory in 2008; and, most recently, police officers showed up to embarass Governor Deval Patrick. Heck - we've even had Shepard Fairey and Mister Cartoon coloring the scenery.

And now Puma City returns to town - not back to the Southie waterfront, but to directly behind our offices (between Van Ness and Boylston - near the Subway). Above is not a picture of yet another tragically undeveloped parcel in downtown Boston; it's a shot of the location where many of you will be partying rather hard sometime in the next few months. As you might remember, we went a bit overboard with the Puma City coverage last year, but that was only because every soiree that we hit down there was a refreshing break from the bars and lounges that we frequent all year-round (and because, on one occasion, there was a burrito-eating contest involved). Looking forward to the 2010 run for sure - especially since we can base-jump in from the Phoenix rooftops.

http://jumptheturnstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/Puma-City.jpg

[kennedy]

YES!

[Ron Newman]

What was on this lot before? (McDonald's? Some other fast food place?)

[jass]

Whyd they have to make the photo useless?

Based on the description, it will be on a surface lot on Yawkey. As far as I know, it has always been a surface lot.

[AmericanFolkLegend]

Whyd they have to make the photo useless?

It's The Phoenix. Normal photos are sooooo mainstream!

[Ron Newman]

A lot of Puma City's charm was that it overlooked the water. Hard to replicate that here.

[Beton Brut]

What was on this lot before? (McDonald's? Some other fast food place?)

I think this (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&q=fenway+map&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Fenway,+Boston,+Massachusetts&gl=us&ei=R1FQTOOBDsKB8gaY48HMAQ&ved=0CCcQ8gEwAA&ll=42.344851,-71.099004&spn=0.002197,0.004136&t=h&z=18) is the lot, right behind the Phoenix's offices.

[CDubs]

^^Yep, that's it.

[Justin7]

http://jumptheturnstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/Puma-City.jpg

http://i32.tinypic.com/1zdvuhg.jpg

[ablarc]

What a mess. Temporary. A bidonville.

[Arborway]

http://jumptheturnstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/Puma-City.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/9568/annoyingphotoshopeffect.jpg

[briv]

I like Puma City, but what a weird place to put this.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/briv1/puma_city_II_1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/briv1/puma_city_II_4.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/briv1/puma_city_II_6.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/briv1/puma_city_II_2.jpg

From Boylston:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/briv1/puma_city_II_3.jpg

[vanshnookenraggen]

It fits in because it stand out... sortta.

[czsz]

I kinda like the idea of stumbling upon it in the back streets.

[CDubs]

It was fun/interesting to stumble upon it, but I think the effect it had on Fan Pier (see Ron's previous comment) was better. At least it's red, so it stands out! I really dig the second, fourth (nice graffiti!), and fifth photos (love the look of the red in that pass thru).

[PaulC]

I like Puma City, but what a weird place to put this.

It may be temporary, just for the return of the college kids.

[choo]

It was supposed to be there before the soccer game at fenway, but they couldnt get it through again. It is going to be there for a while, as the developer (who also did Trilogy and 1330) works on permitting, designing, and financing for the planned building on the site.

[bbfen]

Why the hate for the Fenway location?

It's a perfect location for Puma's target audience: young, haute professionals from Longwood, the rich turd burglars at Trilogy/1330, the t-bags who pay $60 to park a block away from Gate D.

And so continues the shitty-fication of that part of the neighborhood.

[Lurker]

I don't see how the neighborhood is undergoing "shitty-fication". That part of West Fenway has been a series of parking lots and auto centric businesses since the 1930s. Gentrification always comes with a helping of pretentious trustifarian douchebags, but they always move on to the next 'hip' neighborhood when the trendiness is gone.

[Ron Newman]

I just wonder how people are going to find it on that hidden-away side street. Even before and after Sox games, people don't walk there. They walk on Lansdowne and Yawkey Way and Ipswich Street.

[czsz]

I think the idea is that it's a destination of its own of sorts and that people will come looking for it, not merely stumble across it when shopping or whatever.

That said, I think they need some kind of advertising/promotion campaign other than word of mouth. Or maybe their strategy is to avoid it and spread the message via virtual whisper campaigns in outlets like the Phoenix.

[statler]

^^Or ArchBoston.com...

[gooseberry]

the rich turd burglars at Trilogy/1330
I'm sorry, turd burglars?

[Boston02124]

last nite from the Landmark center PGhttp://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/243-3.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/240-3.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/238-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/261-1.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/259-2.jpg

[ablarc]

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/boston02124/boston%20skyline/tampa%20fla/240-3.jpg
Chaotic building (not the church).

[Mayor Menino's Crohn's]

Sooooooooo...does anyone know the status of One Kenmore Squrare? Last time I walked over there, I didn't see any construction, and something tells me that John Rosenthal doesn't have the private financing as much as he made it out to be in the press. I also know that according to the MBTA, Rosenthal and the T were in a scuffle over the construction phases. Rosenthal wanted the T to close Yawkey if the project could speed up, and Pescaturo said "Nope."

[vanshnookenraggen]

I would be surprised if he broke ground before the 3rd or 4th quarter of next year.

[Mayor Menino's Crohn's]

I would be surprised if he broke ground before the 3rd or 4th quarter of next year.
He was supposed to break ground before the 3rd quarter of THIS year.

[palindrome]

$62 million Fenway hotel given the go-ahead

183-room, mid-priced hotel at 121 Brookline Avenue will add 150 new construction jobs and 45 new full-time jobs, the BRA said. Construction is set to begin in the fall of 2011.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/fenway-kenmore/2010/12/65_million_fenway_hotel_given.html?rss_id=Top+Stor ies

article, but pretty much got everything in 1 paragraph.

[Beton Brut]

$62 million Fenway hotel given the go-ahead

A file cabinet for Accenture consultants working in the LMA.

[Lurker]

But where will people go to get scalped by ACE TICKET COMPANY now?!

[Beton Brut]

Don't worry, Lurker. I walked by plenty of vacant retail along that section of Brookline Ave. today.

[Mayor Menino's Crohn's]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MUujHW3QrDc/TQfx6csL5GI/AAAAAAAAAGI/ZrQxN2Ci4K8/s1600/121+Brookline+Avenue.png

[Ron Newman]

A file cabinet for Accenture consultants working in the LMA.

Perhaps, but also a place for out-of-town family of hospital patients to stay, within walking distance of the hospital.

[Beton Brut]

^^ Of course, Ron. I'm being snarky, as I have to deal with the roller-briefcase types a lot these days...

[Suffolk 83]

LOL @ that back and forth


What's a mid-priced hotel? Best Western?

[datadyne007]

LOL @ that back and forth


What's a mid-priced hotel? Best Western?

Best Western owns the Inn at Longwood Medical. Radisson might be wanting to secure a LMA location.

[Ron Newman]

When that was first built, I recall it was called the "Children's Inn" since it adjoined Children's Hospital.

[czsz]

Perhaps, but also a place for out-of-town family of hospital patients to stay, within walking distance of the hospital.

There must be nowhere so depressing to work as a hospital hotel. Imagine being the one forking over the bill to the family who just watched their grandmother/son/close friend die.

[Beton Brut]

Imagine being the one forking over the bill to the family who just watched their grandmother/son/close friend die.

That's material worthy of Raymond Carver. Or Doug Coupland.

[datadyne007]

There must be nowhere so depressing to work as a hospital hotel. Imagine being the one forking over the bill to the family who just watched their grandmother/son/close friend die.

Yeah. It's rough. The concierge ended up having to console my mother after my grandma died at Beth Israel before the rest of the family arrived. At least they give you a discount if you are staying there to visit someone in the hospital, otherwise the rate is $229/nt for a really crappy hotel room. Might as well just fork over the extra $70 and stay in luxury at the Marriott CP for $299.

[jass]

Is Puma moving again?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_8783.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_8786.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_8789.jpg

[briv]

I don't think it's even opened yet. I recently read that they're still waiting for the city to issue the proper permits.

[Ron Newman]

They should already have all the permits they need since they were open on Fan Pier in 2009.

[bbfen]

They should already have all the permits they need since they were open on Fan Pier in 2009.

????? Um. That's not how it works.

[briv]

From the Jan. 28 2011 Courant:



Puma Has Building But Not Permits

by Ashlee Fairey
Courant News Writer

The 24 shipping containers of Puma City have sat empty and incomplete on Van Ness Street for months, lacking the permits and licenses needed to open.

Though the store had hoped to open this past summer, it is missing a building permit, an entertainment license and a liquor license, according to government spokespeople.

"They do have a long-form application on file for the installation of the Puma City containers," said Lisa Timberlake, a spokesperson for the Inspectional Services (ISD). "However, it has not been issued yet."

After reviewing the August 5 application, an ISD plans examiner asked Puma to resubmit with more detailed drawings. They have not yet been received, Timberlake said.

The business was issued a permit on July 13 for site preparations, but a second permit is needed for installation, according to the document.

Because the building pennit is not in place, the entertainment license process has not begun, according to the mayor's office.

Puma was also not issued a liquor license, according to the Boston Licensing Board. Staff said that during a hearing on the matter. Commissioner Michael Connolly approved the application, but Commissioner Suzanne Iannella rejected it.

Because the position of board chainnan was left vacant by Daniel Pokaski's retirement this past summer, there is no third-voice to ensure a majority vote. The board is waiting for the position to be filled to decide on Puma's application, staff said.

Neither Connolly nor Iannella returned requests for comment.

"I don't believe the plans are finalized for the new location," Puma North America spokesperson Katie Sheptyck said in an interview last week.

She did not return requests for comment on the status of the building permit or licenses.

Puma City first opened in Boston two smumers ago at Pan Pier. The temporary strncture, made up of 24 shipping containers, remained open for three weeks and featured a shoe store and bar, and hosted events complete with a DJ.

[statler]

After reviewing the August 5 application, an ISD plans examiner asked Puma to resubmit with more detailed drawings. They have not yet been received, Timberlake said.

Has the the design changed substantially since the last time it was approved & built in the city?

If it is the same building how can the plan be approved one year and not detailed enough the next?

I know, I know...

[briv]

Puma is obviously not properly following our city's permitting procedures--you know, bribing officials (http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/10/embattled_state.html).

[GW2500]

I went into it when it was at Fan Pier, and it was pretty cool by the way. I also walked by it yesterday, I'm pretty sure its set up the exact same way.

[Ron Newman]

Utility hookups are the only thing I can think of that would be different here from there.

[datadyne007]

I went into it when it was at Fan Pier, and it was pretty cool by the way. I also walked by it yesterday, I'm pretty sure its set up the exact same way.

I attended the architects' panel and wine/cheese reception at Puma City. It was so cool.

The setup appears to be the same as the way they had it on Fan Pier. I don't understand why they want more detailed drawings. Nothing is different.

[jass]

By the time they get the permits, the lot owner will be kicking them out to start construction on the apartments.

[briv]

The only news these days is bad news. From this week's Courant:


Puma Abandons Van Ness St. Plan

by Ashley Fairey
Courant News Writer

Puma City will not open in the Fenway, despite the half-built structure that has been sitting on Van Ness Street for months.

The store was widely expected to open last summer, but the project stalled, lacking necessary approvals from the city's Inspeetional Services Department (ISD).

Puma has not formally announced its decision to pull the project, but the cancellation is confirmed in a letter filed with the Boston Licensing Board and addressed to The Lyons Group, from whom Puma intended to purchase a liquor license.

"Unfortunately, the structure which was approved for use during the Volvo Ocean Race on Fan Pier last year would require substantial renovations for approved use in Fenway' Thomas Coen, assistant general counsel for Puma, wrote in a March 28 letter. "Puma has elected to forgo such renovations and ceased seeking city approval for the structure. We are currently examining other uses for Puma City outside of Boston."

Puma City, a temporary, multilevel retail store, bar and event space created from 24 shipping containers, was installed in 2009 at Fan Pier during the Volvo Ocean Race and remained open for three weeks. The store for the Fenway location, however, needed separate permits and approvals.

"Puma was in the process of obtaining all approvals for their venture; no final reviews or permits were issued. It is sufficient to say ISD was working with the Puma Group in obtaining code compliance," ISD spokesperson Lisa Timberlake wrote in an e-mail.

Though ISD declined to elaborate, a source familiar with the Puma City project said the issue hinged on handicap accessibility. Despite the monetary investment Puma has already made in the store, the company decided the required renovations would not be financially worthwhile.

Puma did not return requests for comment.

Puma has hired Turner Construction to remove the inchoate Puma City structure, according to Timberlake, and a source says the containers will be gone within a month.

Puma had leased the Van Ness Street site from developers Samuels & Associates.

"Our goal with the Puma City site was to provide an interesting option to the neighborhood and think creatively about how to enliven underutilized space," said Samuels spokesperson Diana Pisciotta.

"While we are disappointed that it didn't work out, we will continue to look for other tenants who can benefit the local community."

[kennedy]

No! Why can't this city ever realize when they have a good thing, they need to let it happen? I'm beginning to appreciate building codes and zoning less and less.

[datadyne007]

To be fair, Puma City had no elevator (as it was not a permanent installation). Given the floorplan, the structure would have to be seriously reconfigured to add an elevator. Given the ADA, as inconvenient/unfortunate as it may be, one would be required for a permanent install in Boston. You can't simply ignore the ADA no matter how much you may want to. It's there for a reason.

[Ron Newman]

So why not make this a really long term 'temporary' installation?

I'd like to see it brought back for the yacht race village that's going to be at Fan Pier this summer, but it's probably much too late to make such plans. (Not Volvo this time -- Extreme Sailing Series (http://www.extremesailingseries.com/))

[kennedy]

Extreme Sailing does have very strong ties to the organization of the Volvo Ocean Race, so it is a possibility. Smaller boats, shorter distances, more action - arguably more fun for fans because it's so much more accessible to watch.

[BostonYoureMyHome]

How about John Rosenthal's project? When are we going to see some momentum?

[bbfen]

To be fair, Puma City had no elevator (as it was not a permanent installation). Given the floorplan, the structure would have to be seriously reconfigured to add an elevator. Given the ADA, as inconvenient/unfortunate as it may be, one would be required for a permanent install in Boston. You can't simply ignore the ADA no matter how much you may want to. It's there for a reason.

Is it generic blame on "ADA" as much as Mass's adoption of IBC? My understanding is that it now applies across the board, no exceptions, in the Commonwealth.

[datadyne007]

Is it generic blame on "ADA" as much as Mass's adoption of IBC? My understanding is that it now applies across the board, no exceptions, in the Commonwealth.

Yeah, but you can't just excuse something from the ADA or IBC/ICC because it's cool.

[briv]

This was not going to be a permanent structure, but a temporary installation, just as it was during the Volvo event. Puma City was deemed exempt from ADA requirements in 2009 and could have been so here as well. The ADA, by the way, not only makes no distinction between several-weeks-temporary and several-months-temporary, but, to the best of my knowledge, it makes no distinction between temporary and permanent. The city appears to have made an arbitrary decision here and now they're pointing at the ADA as if their hands were tied. I call bullshit.

[datadyne007]

I would assume that since it is a retail and dining facility and not part of an expo, that it would be reasonably subjected to the ADA, just as any other business that would open in the Fenway.

How long was Puma interested in having it here? I was under the impression that this was going to be another actual Puma location in Boston.

[JohnAKeith]

The irony of a running store needing to be ADA-compliant is not lost on me.

[Ron Newman]

I thought it was intended to be a placeholder until a real developer came along for that property.

[briv]

Puma City was to sit on the site of Samuels' future 1325-1341 Boylston St (http://www.archboston.org/community/showthread.php?t=3550) until that project got started.

[bbfen]

Yeah, but you can't just excuse something from the ADA or IBC/ICC because it's cool.

I wasn't advocating that Puma be except from ADA or IBC, just trying to reconcile why the City of Boston at one time approved their installation, after which the Commonwealth formally adopted IBC/ICC, and subsequently Puma couldn't work out approvals with ISD on the relocated installation at Fenway.

For the record, I'm 100% for full compliance to the letter of the law, even though 99% of the time I think the regs are utter bullshit that's not based in anything resembling reality.

[kz1000ps]

She's a-coming down:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5636403097_cf42b1a8b0_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5636982556_d434116b3c_b.jpg

[datadyne007]

So sad.

[BostonUrbEx]

The irony of a running store needing to be ADA-compliant is not lost on me.

LOL

[datadyne007]

This is nothing. Last semester in studio, we had to put ADA showers and bathroom facilities in a bike pavilion designed for showering/changing before work after you ride and park your bike there.

[kennedy]

The irony of a running store needing to be ADA-compliant is not lost on me.

It's just such a crime. Damnit, Puma, stay! Use a block and tackle system for an elevator if you have to!

[JohnAKeith]

Now time for my obligatory "thank god there are two cops on site" sarcastic comment.

[belmont square]

Why shouldn't PUMA need to be accessible? Don't they sell things other than running shoes? I'm sure the world class athletes that competed in the wheelchair class in the marathon on Monday might find something worth purchasing at this store. Not to mention someone with a disability wanting to buy a gift for someone.

[kmp1284]

This is nothing. Last semester in studio, we had to put ADA showers and bathroom facilities in a bike pavilion designed for showering/changing before work after you ride and park your bike there.

In the article a few months ago about the Oak Square firehouse renovation(a two million dollar project for one of the slowest firehouses in town I might add), one of the primary motivations was ADA compliance - for a FIREHOUSE - are we going to have firefighters in wheelchairs now?

[F-Line to Dudley]

In the article a few months ago about the Oak Square firehouse renovation(a two million dollar project for one of the slowest firehouses in town I might add), one of the primary motivations was ADA compliance - for a FIREHOUSE - are we going to have firefighters in wheelchairs now?

Yes. Not firefighters in the truck, but they have to accommodate office staff who may have accessibility needs. Both regular staff for the typical job discrimination protected against by the ADA, but also for firefighters who get injured in the field because it's dangerous work. Lot of them are repurposed in desk jobs when they can't temporarily/permanently go out to the scene. Cops, too, which is why Police Dept. secondary facilities that aren't really open to the public need building accessibility. This is ultimately a pretty necessary upgrade.

Plus all gov't buildings regardless of type need to meet the ADA no matter what. Might be slight inefficiencies of the law in cases like this or other facilities, but if there's no exceptions to seek then cities/states are a lot more diligent about making the upgrades to all their buildings within all feasibility instead of fishing for excuses not to. So the law actually "works" better overall this way by leveling the playing field on facility upgrade requirements.

[kmp1284]

That's a bunch of horseshit. The only people working in the firehouses and having any legitimate business inside the firehouse at all are the firefighters themselves. Other than showing the occasional boy scout troop around the firetrucks they don't have visitors, they don't have office staff, nor are injured firefighters re-assigned to desk jobs in the firehouses. The only reason they do this is to make the asshat "progressives" and "activists" feel good. Frankly, if the city had any stones they'd shut the firehouse down entirely and re-align the response areas so that the Chestnut Hill Ave firehouse covers this area. Virtually every other city's been cutting redundancies within their fire departments, it's time Boston does the same.

[F-Line to Dudley]

That's a bunch of horseshit. The only people working in the firehouses and having any legitimate business inside the firehouse at all are the firefighters themselves. Other than showing the occasional boy scout troop around the firetrucks they don't have visitors, they don't have office staff, nor are injured firefighters re-assigned to desk jobs in the firehouses. The only reason they do this is to make the asshat "progressives" and "activists" feel good. Frankly, if the city had any stones they'd shut the firehouse down entirely and re-align the response areas so that the Chestnut Hill Ave firehouse covers this area. Virtually every other city's been cutting redundancies within their fire departments, it's time Boston does the same.

Really. Every single firehouse in the U.S.? You can prove that?

[kmp1284]

Really. Every single firehouse in the U.S.? You can prove that?

I'm talking solely about Boston, not the rest of the country but your question demonstrates perfectly the absurdity of ADA codes and their rigidity with regards to all public buildings even when it forces cities and towns to lay out such a large amount of money for minimal or in this case, no public benefit at all.

[JohnAKeith]

That's a bunch of horseshit. The only people working in the firehouses and having any legitimate business inside the firehouse at all are the firefighters themselves. Other than showing the occasional boy scout troop around the firetrucks they don't have visitors, they don't have office staff, nor are injured firefighters re-assigned to desk jobs in the firehouses.

The only reason they do this is to make the asshat "progressives" and "activists" feel good.

Gus the Fireman would disagree with you.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rWxMuSS-bDg/TCnrvrBf6AI/AAAAAAAABLs/z8AMByUBhsY/s400/wallybeavlarrygus.jpg

[F-Line to Dudley]

I'm talking solely about Boston, not the rest of the country but your question demonstrates perfectly the absurdity of ADA codes and their rigidity with regards to all public buildings even when it forces cities and towns to lay out such a large amount of money for minimal or in this case, no public benefit at all.

So why cite Boston when it's a Federal law applicable equally to every municipality in the country? Your rant isn't a local issue.

[BostonUrbEx]

So why cite Boston when it's a Federal law applicable equally to every municipality in the country? Your rant isn't a local issue.

I think that's what he's saying. It should not be a federal cover-all. It should be broken down based upon where it makes sense and where it doesn't.

[kmp1284]

I think that's what he's saying. It should not be a federal cover-all. It should be broken down based upon where it makes sense and where it doesn't.

Basically. In other words it's too logical of an idea for the slugs on Capitol Hill to embrace.

[commuter guy]

From Boston.com

For rendering of hotel see link:
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/05/07/hotel_near_fenway_park_is_on_deck_for_developer/?p1=Well_Business_links

Hotel near Fenway Park is on deck for developer
McQuillan gave up on lab space plans

By Casey Ross
Globe Staff / May 7, 2011
E-mail this article To: Invalid E-mail address Add a personal message:(80 character limit) Your E-mail: Invalid E-mail address Sending your articleYour article has been sent.
E-mail|Print|Reprints|Text size ? + A Boston developer will build an eight-story hotel near Fenway Park after a proposal for a laboratory and office building fell victim to the economic downturn.
Tweet Be the first to Tweet this!.ShareThis .
William P. McQuillan, principal of Boylston Properties, said he will begin construction this fall on a 175-room hotel and retail building at 121 Brookline Ave., between the ballpark and the Longwood Medical Area.

Marriott Residence Inn has agreed to operate an extended-stay hotel on the property, hoping to cater to families visiting nearby hospitals and colleges. McQuillan said he has yet to secure tenants for 6,000 square feet of retail space planned for the building, but noted the neighborhood has attracted many new restaurants and stores in recent years, from Guitar Center to the Japanese eatery Basho.

?It?s a different use in the neighborhood, but it?s a natural evolution away from surface parking lots and one-story garages,?? said McQuillan, who previously teamed up with developer Steve Samuels to build Trilogy, the large residential and retail building near the corner of Brookline Avenue and Boylston Street.

McQuillan had sought to build lab space at 121 Brookline Ave., which now houses an Ace Ticket location, but demand from biotechnology and medical tenants dried up as the economy tanked in late 2007. He said he began talking to hotel companies in 2009.

?I would have preferred to build on the momentum of Trilogy, but the world slowed down a little and we were treading water for a few years,?? McQuillan said. ?I?m excited to see the next wave of projects in the neighborhood.??

The $60 million hotel will fill a dead spot along Brookline Avenue, adding new street activity in an area that lacks foot traffic when the Red Sox are out of town. A rendering of the building, designed by Group One Partners Inc. of Boston, shows a red brick facade with a series of colorful retail awnings along the street.

The hotel, with rooms for around $200 a night, will offer large suite-style rooms with kitchenettes for long-term guests. It will also feature an enclosed rooftop pool and a balcony framed by a large pergola. McQuillan, who has received city zoning approvals, said he hopes to begin construction by November and open the hotel in mid 2013.

City officials said the project is one of many moving forward in the neighborhood as economic conditions improve following the recession. Samuels & Associates is pursuing a plan to build residences, offices, and stores at 1325 Boylston St., and construction is moving forward on the first stage of developer John Rosenthal?s Fenway Center project over the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Kairos Shen, chief planner for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, said McQuillan?s hotel ? the first Marriott Residence Inn in Boston?s core ? will help fill a need for mid-priced hotel rooms in an area that mostly features more expensive brands. He said the project also creates an opportunity to open service-oriented retail stores in demand from hundreds of new residents in the Fenway.

?This project helps build on what we?ve been trying to do in the neighborhood for many years now,?? he said.

Casey Ross can be reached at cross@globe.com.

[commuter guy]

From Boston.com:

City approves new Fenway condos

By Sara Brown, Town Correspondent

The city redevelopment authority last week approved the construction of 48 new loft condominiums in what is now a parking garage in the East Fenway neighborhood.

The $15 million project at 41 Westland Avenue that will convert the Symphony Parking Garage, a 262-space, six-story building, to a seven-story condominium building, was approved at the Boston Redevelopment Authority's board meeting last week.

Backers of the project noted that the building will offer one of the few home-ownership opportunities in the Fenway neighborhood. The Fenway Civic Association and other organizations have noted that the Fenway has the lowest rates of home ownership in the city.

An additional story will be added to the building for four penthouse apartments and an accessible rooftop, and the ground floor of the building will house 31 parking spaces for residents.

The apartments, one- and two-bedroom "loft style" spaces, will range from 750 to 1400 square feet and sell for between $400,000 and $700,000, said Christopher Kaneb, representing the developer, Catamount Management Corporation, at a community meeting in April.

According to Kaneb, the year-long construction phase is expected to begin in the next year.

The developer has opted to buy-out the seven required affordable units required by the city, paying $200,000 for each of the units to Inclusionary Development Fund.

Email Sara Brown at yourtownsara@gmail.com

[Suffolk 83]

I drive by fenway on the mass pike every morning at about 5:45 and there's been dump trucks staging on Ipswich, anybody know what that's about?

[Justin7]

From Boston.com:

City approves new Fenway condos

By Sara Brown, Town Correspondent

The city redevelopment authority last week approved the construction of 48 new loft condominiums in what is now a parking garage in the East Fenway neighborhood.

The $15 million project at 41 Westland Avenue that will convert the Symphony Parking Garage, a 262-space, six-story building, to a seven-story condominium building, was approved at the Boston Redevelopment Authority's board meeting last week.

Backers of the project noted that the building will offer one of the few home-ownership opportunities in the Fenway neighborhood. The Fenway Civic Association and other organizations have noted that the Fenway has the lowest rates of home ownership in the city.

An additional story will be added to the building for four penthouse apartments and an accessible rooftop, and the ground floor of the building will house 31 parking spaces for residents.

The apartments, one- and two-bedroom "loft style" spaces, will range from 750 to 1400 square feet and sell for between $400,000 and $700,000, said Christopher Kaneb, representing the developer, Catamount Management Corporation, at a community meeting in April.

According to Kaneb, the year-long construction phase is expected to begin in the next year.

The developer has opted to buy-out the seven required affordable units required by the city, paying $200,000 for each of the units to Inclusionary Development Fund.

Email Sara Brown at yourtownsara@gmail.com

This has its own thread: http://www.archboston.org/community/showthread.php?p=121576

[TheRifleman]

"The Fenway Civic Association and other organizations have noted that the Fenway has the lowest rates of home ownership in the city."

Thats because the entire area was bought up by BOSTON UNIVERSITY in the 80's and 90's

[vanshnookenraggen]

$700k for 1400sqft? Not bad, but then everything seems cheep compared to Manhattan. :)

[bbfen]

"The Fenway Civic Association and other organizations have noted that the Fenway has the lowest rates of home ownership in the city."

Thats because the entire area was bought up by BOSTON UNIVERSITY in the 80's and 90's

Wrong side. This is in East Fenway.

[whighlander]

"The Fenway Civic Association and other organizations have noted that the Fenway has the lowest rates of home ownership in the city."

Thats because the entire area was bought up by BOSTON UNIVERSITY in the 80's and 90's

before you fire make sure that there is something in the chamber

Aside from the wrong location you missed the meaning of the statistic

what it does is take the number of people living in a particular district (not counting hotels, prisons and dorms) == P and find out how many are owner / occupiers = O

then you do the simple math R(rate of home ownership) = O / P

it doesn't matter whether the the number P is large or small due to the use of the district for steel making or housing violent felons or having a Walmart) all that matters is do the residents pay rent or a mortgage

[GW2500]

Boylston Street build-out continuing
GLOBE

http://www.boston.com/Boston/businessupdates/2011/07/boylston-street-build-out-continuing/Df7mt8SYe3OVvU4Y9iFv8M/index.html?p1=News_links

A Boston developer is proposing to build 210 residences, offices and retail stores on the site of a former McDonald’s near Fenway Park.

The project by The Abbey Group would transform another lot on outer Boylston Street, which has evolved rapidly in recent years with the addition of new shops and restaurants, along with hundreds of sleek, modern homes.

In a filing submitted to the city today, Abbey Group executives proposed to build a multi-leveled building that would be set back from Boylston Street and create room for outdoor cafe tables and a small courtyard. The building, located at 1282 Boylston Street, would be 16 stories at its peak and step down to four stories closer to adjacent neighborhoods in the west Fenway.

“The proposed project will build on the current momentum in the Boylston Street corridor,“ Abbey Group wrote in its filing. “Demand for Fenway area housing continues to rise steadily as the appeal of this emerging urban village has become a highly desirable area for professionals, young families and empty nesters.”

The property has been used for parking since McDonald’s closed in 2009. The Abbey Group hopes to begin construction later in 2012.

In addition to housing, the firm’s complex would contain 99,000 square feet of offices and 15,000 square feet of retail space -- enough to accommodate a cafe and several other shops. It is being designed by the architecture firm Bruner/Cott and Associates. The project still needs approvals from the Boston Redevelopment Authority, which has instituted zoning changes in recent years to encourage development in the area.

The Abbey Group previously developed the nearby Landmark Center, a 1 million-square -foot office and retail complex at Park Drive and Brookline Avenues. It sold the complex last year to developer Steve Samuels, who has also redeveloped several properties in the neighborhood.

[kz1000ps]

A Fenway Comeback
October 17, 2011
By Sara Brown, Globe Correspondent

A new sign has gone up at El Pelon Taqueria. The owner of Thornton’s Fenway Grille has proudly posted shots of new tabletops on the restaurant’s Facebook page. And down at Rod Dee Thai Cuisine II, a fresh menu is visible through a glass door.

For Fenway residents, these tantalizing signs of life along “Restaurant Row’’ on Peterborough Street signal the end of a long wait for the return of beloved neighborhood hangouts that were destroyed in a devastating January 2009 fire.

Although no official opening dates have been announced, owners say they are very close, and excitement is building along the intimate nook set amid brick apartment buildings. For residents and fans of the restaurants, it will be a chance to rekindle a sense of community distinct from the crowds and lights of nearby Fenway Park.

Matty Stevenson, 28, who worked at Thornton’s in college and even took some shifts after he joined the professional workforce, started a post-fire memorial to Thornton’s on Facebook. He described the block as “a staple of the neighborhood.’’

“The day it opens, if it’s during the week, I’ll take the day off work to go,’’ said Stevenson, who now lives in Medford. “I’m not alone, either.’’ He’ll be ordering the chicken and broccoli.

Thornton’s, along with El Pelon Taqueria and Rod Dee Thai, are all on the verge of reopening, pending city permits, according to property owner Monty Gold. A fourth restaurant, Swish Shabu, a Japanese hot pot-style eatery, isn’t as far along as the others, he said.

Three other original “Row’’ restaurants - Sorento’s Italian Gourmet, Umi Japanese Restaurant, and Greek Isles Restaurant - will not return to their Fenway locations. A former dry cleaner also has no plans to reopen there.

Marty Thornton, the owner of Thornton’s and a 20-year resident of the Fenway, said the restaurant should reopen by early November with an updated menu. Otherwise, it will stick to its tried-and-true approach as a “neighborhood place, a local hangout,’’ he said.

When passersby ask whether their favorite dish is still on the menu, “I say ‘of course,’ ’’ Thornton said. “ ‘If it isn’t, just ask for it.’ ’’

Although John Fitzpatrick just moved to the neighborhood, he’s heard about the beloved restaurants. While his roommate loves Thornton’s, he’s excited about El Pelon, which drew a loyal following from far beyond Fenway and which opened up a new taqueria near Boston College after the fire.

“I’ve heard so much buzz about that one,’’ said Fitzpatrick, a 27-year-old native of Ireland. “I think that’s probably [the restaurant] people are most excited about.’’

Memories of the four-alarm blaze that left the block a charred wreck and caused $5 million in damage remain fresh here.

Stevenson recalled that he was supposed to work a Saturday shift at Thornton’s.

On the Monday before, it burned down. An electrical short circuit has been blamed for sparking the fire.

“Oh, my God. It was awful,’’ he said. “It was just so sad.’’

Some employees and fans of the restaurant gathered amid the ashes the next day. “A lot of people were kind of in shock,’’ Stevenson said.

More than 300 people joined the Facebook tribute page for Thornton’s, which carries the following description: “This place was more than just a bar. It was more than a job. It was your good friend and a place of many good times.’’

Others joined a Facebook group called “Friends of Peterborough St. Fenway Restaurants,’’ sharing their sadness.

Since then, residents have had a lot of time to wait, reminisce, and sometimes wonder about the fate of the restaurants. Many feared they would never reopen, even as new restaurants sprouted on nearby Boylston Street. Others worried the site would become a high-rise apartment building.

At a November 2010 community meeting, Gold announced his intention to rebuild the restaurants, apologizing for the delay.

“I’m sorry it took this length of time,’’ Gold said at the time, citing personal reasons. “It is what it is.’’

Now, he’s excited by the prospect of dropping by Thornton’s for a glass of wine. Despite the delays, he said: “We got it done, and we got it done correctly. That’s what we want; a good, safe building.’’

City Councilor Michael Ross, who represents the Fenway, said it has been a long haul to get to this point.

During the long delay, he said, he heard from residents, whom he said were engaged and “refused to sit back and let it languish.’’

“This is a very important resource for the community,’’ he said. “It’s a great place… . It created life and activity, it created a special and dynamic rhythm to that neighborhood.’’

Link (http://articles.boston.com/2011-10-17/news/30290574_1_restaurant-row-fresh-menu-fourth-restaurant)

[kelleychri]

http://uplink3d.com/visualize-0608.html

cool pics from simmons

[whighlander]

"The Fenway Civic Association and other organizations have noted that the Fenway has the lowest rates of home ownership in the city."

Thats because the entire area was bought up by BOSTON UNIVERSITY in the 80's and 90's

Riff -- watch the fouling again

lowest rates of home ownership in the city -- this a fraction hence it doesn't matter what BU does

the definition of home ownership rate = homes owned by resident/ total homes

neither BU dorm rooms nor hotel rooms are counted -- just appartments and condos

Now you can pull the trigger

[jass]

Time for a grand tour!

Some of these locations have individual threads, but those threads can bite me.

Enjoy.

We begin where my Yawkey pictures left off. Site of a future street.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2889.jpg

Whats this? Oooooh
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2891.jpg

A jail for bikes!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2892.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2893.jpg

And a hubway station. Good location, but sort of hard to find. Hubway should find a way to illuminate their stations more. 2nd solar panel + LED logo light?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2894.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2895.jpg


This building appears to be in the process of vacating. Will it be demolished!?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2896.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2897.jpg

Much better hubway location
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2898.jpg


Oh so urban, so pedestrian friendly.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2899.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2900.jpg


Wait, what? I thought the last update we got was that this market had closed and the wrecking ball was imminent?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2901.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2903.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2904.jpg

Nom nom burger king
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2902.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2913.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2905.jpg

I dont remember this thing at all. When did it open? Why wasnt there a thread? This forum is really lagging lately.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2906.jpg

No sale.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2907.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2916.jpg


Restaurant row. Shame the building is the same old crap.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2908.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2909.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2910.jpg

Coming soon
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2911.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2912.jpg

Some new retail
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2914.jpg

More bikes
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2917.jpg

Old mcdonalds. Fancy parking structure doesnt exactly say "development ready to go"

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2918.jpg


FIN

[HenryAlan]

I dont remember this thing at all. When did it open? Why wasnt there a thread? This forum is really lagging lately.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/March%202011%20Boston/IMG_2906.jpg

It did sort of just slip in, but I think the building was already there, just tweaked slightly to become an L.A. style burger joint (and a very good one at that). Check out the food next time you tour the area.

[Ron Newman]

Where is the 'jail for bikes'? The MBTA has been building a few of these next to T stations.

[choo]

Tasty Burger is awesome! I think the Boylston West project was approved ?last night?... that is where the market is i believe. It will house target on ?two floors? other ground floor retail, and apartments. Groundbreaking in the spring i believe.

[Lurker]

Restaurant row. Shame the building is the same old crap.


Since when does this board consider long time independent neighborhood restaurants "crap"?

The neighborhood wanted their restaurants back ASAP and the only reason it took so long is interference from the city trying to get developer friends of the mayor in there. Marty Gold has some big brass balls for telling some very powerful people to go to Hell.

[jass]

Since when does this board consider long time independent neighborhood restaurants "crap"?


Who said anything about the restaurants?

I said the one story building is crap.

Like the tasty burger place. Might be the best food in the world, but their building sure looks like crap.

[briv]

Since when does this board consider long time independent neighborhood restaurants "crap"?

The neighborhood wanted their restaurants back ASAP and the only reason it took so long is interference from the city trying to get developer friends of the mayor in there. Marty Gold has some big brass balls for telling some very powerful people to go to Hell.

What ever happened to the proposal to rebuild with a five story residential building above? Sounds like there was some interesting maneuvering behind the scenes. What's the story?

[shmessy]

Since when does this board consider long time independent neighborhood restaurants "crap"?

The neighborhood wanted their restaurants back ASAP and the only reason it took so long is interference from the city trying to get developer friends of the mayor in there. Marty Gold has some big brass balls for telling some very powerful people to go to Hell.

Come on.

He didn't say the RESTAURANTS were crap.

The noun he used was BUILDING.

And he's right.

[Lurker]

What ever happened to the proposal to rebuild with a five story residential building above? Sounds like there was some interesting maneuvering behind the scenes. What's the story?

From my understanding, the residential was a Section 8 developer and the boutique hotel was someone politically connected. When Mr. Gold (a "simple guy that just wants to be a landlord not a developer"), the small restaurant owners (who were screwed out of years of business), and the neighborhood (which wasn't keen on another section 8 building when there's already a "problematic" one across the the street, or more year round traffic from a hotel when seasonal RedSox traffic is already a pain), kept protesting that they just wanted to rebuild the block back to what is was within a year, every bit of red tape imaginable was thrown at them by the city.

[Ron Newman]

It's a small scale commercial building for a fairly small scale residential neighborhood. It interacts as well with the street as anything possible could, being that it's a continuous row of restaurants. I'm just fine with it.

[HenryAlan]

It's a small scale commercial building for a fairly small scale residential neighborhood. It interacts as well with the street as anything possible could, being that it's a continuous row of restaurants. I'm just fine with it.

This is an interesting point. We all talk about street level engagement and pedestrian experience, and here is a building that does a fantastic job with that and absolutely nothing else. Is this enough, is it all that matters? Or do we really only give lip service, and prefer multi-level structures?

[briv]

I thought the proposal to build on top of the restaurants was exciting. I didn't know it was a section 8 building. Strikes me as a strange proposition. This seems to be perfect place for market-rate rentals or even condos--it's a very desirable neighborhood, especially with the anticipated build-out of Boylston. As a rule, I don't like single-story commercial buildings. I really dont like them in the city's core. This could have been rebuilt as something a lot better. That said, I'm glad the restaurants are coming back. This block was so vital before the fire.

[bbfen]

I thought the proposal to build on top of the restaurants was exciting. I didn't know it was a section 8 building. Strikes me as a strange proposition. This seems to be perfect place for market-rate rentals or even condos--it's a very desirable neighborhood, especially with the anticipated build-out of Boylston. As a rule, I don't like single-story commercial buildings. I really dont like them in the city's core. This could have been rebuilt as something a lot better. That said, I'm glad the restaurants are coming back. This block was so vital before the fire.

The problem is that the same tenants could not afford this location if it were part of a multi-story structure.

[Lurker]

The problem is that the same tenants could not afford this location if it were part of a multi-story structure.

The other rub is that there would have been significantly less lease space on the ground level available to restaurants if housing had gone above. Even less with a hotel scenario.

[Ron Newman]

Because of elevators and stairways?

[Lurker]

Because of elevators and stairways?

Yes, along with trash rooms, mail boxes, other storage, tel/data, and in the case of the hotel proposal a lobby. Then there's the BRAs stupid minimum parking requirements, valet zones, entrance criteria, etc. to screw up the street edge and limit outdoor patio space.

[palindrome]

Heard on chowhound that Marshalls Fenway Farmstand is closing on the 29th, with demolition to follow.

[mass88]

http://www.boston.com/Boston/businessupdates/2012/01/discount-chain-marshalls-planning-open-fenway-area/in3W5KBTZv2q5lmIJ9CRQN/index.html

[dshoost88]

^^ What could they possibly do to that building that'll make it attractive to walk in from Van Ness street? There's a parking lot in the way. Does anyone know if they plan on putting some sort of plaza/park there?

[jass]

I thought that was being torn down?

dshoost88, maybe they just mean an entrance for parking customers?

[BeeLine]

Great progress is being made in bring back the Restaurant Row on Peterborough Street. Four restaurants open now. Thortons Grille, Rad Dee 2 (Thai), El Pelon Taqueria, and Swish Shabu (Japanese Hot Pot). Thortons Grille and Shabu were packed for Sunday brunch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beelinebos/6935150101/in/photostream

[palindrome]

The past couple days it looks like they have been doing soil samples or something all around the site of 1341 boylston (the one that will have a target). They must be getting ready to go.

I know the lease for the gym and market were extended, but not sure how long.

[a630]

you saw this yes? front page of the globe yesterday as well.
http://boston.curbed.com/archives/2012/03/epic-solarpowered-fenway-project-to-start-5-buildings-450m.php

[palindrome]

you saw this yes? front page of the globe yesterday as well.
http://boston.curbed.com/archives/2012/03/epic-solarpowered-fenway-project-to-start-5-buildings-450m.php

no, this parcel:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/rf/image_r/Boston/2011-2020/2011/09/15/BostonGlobe.com/Business/Images/15fenway.r.jpg

[jass]

Not much change.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/Blog/DSC01122.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/Blog/DSC01123.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/Blog/DSC01124.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/Blog/DSC01125.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/Blog/DSC01126.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/Blog/DSC01127.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/Blog/DSC01131.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/jamesinclair/Blog/DSC01133.jpg

[kz1000ps]

Stumbled upon this yesterday...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8495/8290792469_606247055e_b.jpg

[Mike]

In other business, the BRA board approved plans for a new five-story building with 20 apartments at 16 Peterborough St. in the Fenway.

The project would replace a single-story building housing the Canestaro Restaurant & Pizzeria, which will close down. The Italian-American eatery opened in 1992, and the neighborhood wanted a restaurant to be part of the project.

“That was difficult for the developer to do,” said BRA senior project manager John Fitzgerald. “They asked the owner of Canestaro to stay, but he said that he’s been there long enough and he’s out of the game and that most of his work comes from catering and not from folks who come in and sit down.”


Link (http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/2013/01/apartment_projects_approved_southie_fenway)

[PaulC]

Here's the pnf for 16-20 Peterborough:

http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/DevelopmentProjects/PipeDocs/16-20%20Peterborough/16-20%20Peterborough_PNF.pdf

Maybe the adjoining buildings should add a few floors to continue the roof line

[briv]

The proposed building (16-20 Peterborough) looks like an el cheapo piece of shit. The loss of the two retail spots would be really unfortunate for the neighborhood though.

[BussesAin'tTrains]

Sounds like the developer tried to keep the retail, but the owner didn't think it was worth it.

[czsz]

Stupid. As if he couldn't have found another retail tenant than the guy who was there before?