Ron Newman
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
Not this part (4-lanes undivided near the Hyatt hotel)
Not this part (4-lanes undivided near the Hyatt hotel)
Liberty Mutual Tower | 157 Berkeley Street | Back Bay
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Boston02124
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
L
labatud12
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
I don't think it will. Its much shorter than the Old Hancock. The building's core is only a few stories from topping out. (from rough counting at street level, it appears to be around the 18th floor).
I don't think it will. Its much shorter than the Old Hancock. The building's core is only a few stories from topping out. (from rough counting at street level, it appears to be around the 18th floor).
bostoncitywalk
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
A few from today - 2.26.12
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
A few from today - 2.26.12
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
Liberty Mutual Tower - Boston - Construction by BostonCityWalk, on Flickr
Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
You mean the "Fatpire State Building"?
If we're going to be consistent.....
You mean the "Fatpire State Building"?
If we're going to be consistent.....
HenryAlan
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
I am also confused by the use of the term "fat iron." I mean, I realize that the building is vaguely similar to the famous Flat Iron of Manhattan, but I don't understand the criticism that stems from this. The corners on which each building stands are differently shaped, of course the buildings will be differently shaped. And as you point out, much of what is maligned about Liberty Mutual can be found in other buildings that people seem to like. The old Hancock is also fat, stumpy, fails to integrate with the street, etc. People are too quick to jump toward a negative judgement. This building may not be perfect, but it's a net gain for the neighborhood, bringing more employment, more height, wiping out some parking lots, etc.
You mean the "Fatpire State Building"?
If we're going to be consistent.....
I am also confused by the use of the term "fat iron." I mean, I realize that the building is vaguely similar to the famous Flat Iron of Manhattan, but I don't understand the criticism that stems from this. The corners on which each building stands are differently shaped, of course the buildings will be differently shaped. And as you point out, much of what is maligned about Liberty Mutual can be found in other buildings that people seem to like. The old Hancock is also fat, stumpy, fails to integrate with the street, etc. People are too quick to jump toward a negative judgement. This building may not be perfect, but it's a net gain for the neighborhood, bringing more employment, more height, wiping out some parking lots, etc.
statler
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
This board is generally split into two camps when it comes to new buildings:
"Boston deserves better / the best"
or
"Well, at least it's better than a parking lot"
Personally, I'm in the former camp, but the dichotomy leads to lots of interesting discussions.
This board is generally split into two camps when it comes to new buildings:
"Boston deserves better / the best"
or
"Well, at least it's better than a parking lot"
Personally, I'm in the former camp, but the dichotomy leads to lots of interesting discussions.
Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
This does seem to have some slender(ish) angles that it can be viewed from. Overall, it fits in well (probably) with the mini cluster fronting the Hancock. The cladding is clearly going to make or break this building. Considering not even a single panel has been attached yet, what's the point of arguing when none of us have a clue what the final product will look like?
This does seem to have some slender(ish) angles that it can be viewed from. Overall, it fits in well (probably) with the mini cluster fronting the Hancock. The cladding is clearly going to make or break this building. Considering not even a single panel has been attached yet, what's the point of arguing when none of us have a clue what the final product will look like?
statler
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
Well, unless the renderings are way off, they do give us something of a clue.
Well, unless the renderings are way off, they do give us something of a clue.
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
This is exactly why it's the Fatiron Building:
This is exactly why it's the Fatiron Building:
Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
This still means it has 4 more floors in the core, plus there is a "crown" that looks to be about 2 floors high. So, ~6 more floors above the top of the current core, and don't underestimate how much bigger it will be when the steel reaches this height.
In terms of the render, I don't think it looks too bad (even if it is fat). It has a pleasing enough shape, and plenty of large windows. As far as the render matching reality, I have seen plenty of buildings where the superior cladding far exceeded expectations, and many others where value engineering all but destroyed the spirit of the original renders. We have no real ideas of the quality or shade of the glass/materials that this building will be faced in. That's why we don't really have a "clue" on it. On the shape, yes, but certainly not on the actual visualization of the final product.
This still means it has 4 more floors in the core, plus there is a "crown" that looks to be about 2 floors high. So, ~6 more floors above the top of the current core, and don't underestimate how much bigger it will be when the steel reaches this height.
In terms of the render, I don't think it looks too bad (even if it is fat). It has a pleasing enough shape, and plenty of large windows. As far as the render matching reality, I have seen plenty of buildings where the superior cladding far exceeded expectations, and many others where value engineering all but destroyed the spirit of the original renders. We have no real ideas of the quality or shade of the glass/materials that this building will be faced in. That's why we don't really have a "clue" on it. On the shape, yes, but certainly not on the actual visualization of the final product.
czsz
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
It's just. So. Long.
Having that unbroken, blocklong mass along Columbus without a truly soaring tower to justify it / give it proportion is what makes it truly fat - not so much the broad "nose". Yeah, it's true of the Old Hancock as well, but the nice taper of the roof toward the weather beacon gives that one some charm and vertical lift.
This will have such ugly girth it will give Back Bay and South End NIMBYs ammunition against "density" for decades. It's reminiscent of the Equitable Building in this respect - the building which was built so bluntly it forced NYC to implement setback requirements in its zoning codes. Unfortunately, this will just motivate NIMBYs to call for even shorter (and hence ever fatter) buildings, a literal downward spiral for Boston architecture and urbanism.
It's just. So. Long.
Having that unbroken, blocklong mass along Columbus without a truly soaring tower to justify it / give it proportion is what makes it truly fat - not so much the broad "nose". Yeah, it's true of the Old Hancock as well, but the nice taper of the roof toward the weather beacon gives that one some charm and vertical lift.
This will have such ugly girth it will give Back Bay and South End NIMBYs ammunition against "density" for decades. It's reminiscent of the Equitable Building in this respect - the building which was built so bluntly it forced NYC to implement setback requirements in its zoning codes. Unfortunately, this will just motivate NIMBYs to call for even shorter (and hence ever fatter) buildings, a literal downward spiral for Boston architecture and urbanism.
Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
I agree. As soon as the Copley Place condos and/or Filene's Tower get out of the ground, nobody will be talking about this (architecturally, at least).
I agree. As soon as the Copley Place condos and/or Filene's Tower get out of the ground, nobody will be talking about this (architecturally, at least).
AmericanFolkLegend
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Re: Liberty Mutual plans major Boston expansion
Measuring on google earth it looks like the finished product will be about 350 feet long (that is, the streetwall along Columbus Ave).
For comparison the New England Life building on Boylston is only about 325 feet long. So I agree with CZSZ, it is going to feel "long" when it's done.
Measuring on google earth it looks like the finished product will be about 350 feet long (that is, the streetwall along Columbus Ave).
For comparison the New England Life building on Boylston is only about 325 feet long. So I agree with CZSZ, it is going to feel "long" when it's done.