statler
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I did a quick search but didn't find any threads dedicated to this project. It was mentioned in the Theater District thread, but I figure it should have it's own home.
NLA$30M Office Proposal Replaces Condo Plans at Hub?s 212 Stuart St.
By Thomas Grillo
Reporter
B&T staff photo by Thomas Grillo
The former JAE?s restaurant in Boston?s Theater District could become the
city?s latest office tower.
The curtain has fallen on another condominium project in Boston?s Theater District.
Hera Development Corp. is expected to file plans with the city for a 68,000-square-foot office building at 212 Stuart St. The 10-story tower replaces a previous proposal for luxury condos at the downtown site.
Under the latest proposal, the former JAE?s restaurant would be razed to make way for offices. Retail is planned for the first two floors, with Class A office space on floors three through 10.
Gary W. Hendren, project architect, said he has met with representatives of the nearby Bay Village neighborhood on many occasions to refine the project. He said the neighbors have agreed to write a letter to the Boston Redevelopment Authority ?not opposing? the project.
?Our proposal has gone through five iterations responding to the neighborhood?s comments,? Hendren said. ?We started at 12 stories but agreed to 10 after meeting with the neighbors. The JAE?s building alone had been approved at 115 feet and the neighborhood wanted 110 feet, so we compromised at 112 feet. I believe we have a very good relationship with the neighborhood.?
Brian Boisvert, president of the Bay Village Neighborhood Association, said residents consider the parcel an important gateway to the neighborhood. But he said concerns about height, density and historic preservation have been resolved.
Hendren said the $30 million proposal would be filed with the BRA in March.
?The developer and the architect have been very responsive to our concerns,? Boisvert said. ?They?re making sure that the facade along the Shawmut Street side will have the appropriate look, detail and scale in keeping with the neighborhood. They also agreed to set back the side of the building that faces Church Street to make sure that section remains pedestrian-friendly.?
The 212 Stuart St. property was built in 1840 as a religious center for the German United Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Society. Later, the building became the Hope Chapel, and in 1985 was occupied by JAE?s restaurant. The building was vacated by the Pan-Asian eatery in 1999.
In 2006, the Boston Redevelopment Authority approved demolition of the 3-story JAE?s building by Ceres Realty Fund and Urban Residential. The team planned a new structure with 18 condominiums, including two penthouse units. But the $12 million project was never built and Hera bought the former restaurant site in November for $6.5 million. The developer also is negotiating to purchase the adjacent parking lot.