Millennium Tower (Filene's) | 426 Washington Street | Downtown
- Thread starter KentXie
- Start date
- Status
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
For me, the problem with Philly's skyline is that all the tallest buildings are packed into the same spot. It looks awesome driving in, but creates 2 problems from up-close. First, the 5 tallest buildings (ranging from , off the top of my head, approximately 738'-975') are surrounded by a sea of buildings between 400'-500'. Thus, it is very difficult to get angles where you can see the true heights of these buildings. People often say Liberty Place (945') looks stumpy, but most angles you don't even see the first 500' of the building! On the flip side, all the towers around 475'-500' look really short because they are dominated by the bigs.
The quickest way to make a tall building appear shorter is to put a taller building next to it. Look at the Jin Mao in Shanghai for a perfect example. This is why many of us want to protect the Hancock from being overshadowed by a taller building across the street. Boston isn't built like Philly, and we should do our best to keep the spacing between the tallest towers (ie any new challengers to the throne should be thrown into the financial district, and shouldn't be so far above the other towers to minimize a cluster with 13 buildings over 500'). A Comcast like building next to the Hancock would wreck our skyline irreparably.
For me, the problem with Philly's skyline is that all the tallest buildings are packed into the same spot. It looks awesome driving in, but creates 2 problems from up-close. First, the 5 tallest buildings (ranging from , off the top of my head, approximately 738'-975') are surrounded by a sea of buildings between 400'-500'. Thus, it is very difficult to get angles where you can see the true heights of these buildings. People often say Liberty Place (945') looks stumpy, but most angles you don't even see the first 500' of the building! On the flip side, all the towers around 475'-500' look really short because they are dominated by the bigs.
The quickest way to make a tall building appear shorter is to put a taller building next to it. Look at the Jin Mao in Shanghai for a perfect example. This is why many of us want to protect the Hancock from being overshadowed by a taller building across the street. Boston isn't built like Philly, and we should do our best to keep the spacing between the tallest towers (ie any new challengers to the throne should be thrown into the financial district, and shouldn't be so far above the other towers to minimize a cluster with 13 buildings over 500'). A Comcast like building next to the Hancock would wreck our skyline irreparably.
Last edited:
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
Who cares what it looks like from an airplane, if it's a desolate wasteland up close at ground level?
We live in a city, not a skyline. Obsession with building separation and long range presentation is how we ended up with the horrible tower-in-the-park style.
Who cares what it looks like from an airplane, if it's a desolate wasteland up close at ground level?
We live in a city, not a skyline. Obsession with building separation and long range presentation is how we ended up with the horrible tower-in-the-park style.
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
There really is something unique and special about Boston's skyline. The separation between downtown and Back Bay is nice, though I do like that it is starting to fill in a little. To me, Hancock is so iconic, that I don't think anything other than a tower taller than itself would take away from it. I would prefer it being the tallest building in Back Bay, but welcome it being accompanied by something like a Copley Place tower.
There really is something unique and special about Boston's skyline. The separation between downtown and Back Bay is nice, though I do like that it is starting to fill in a little. To me, Hancock is so iconic, that I don't think anything other than a tower taller than itself would take away from it. I would prefer it being the tallest building in Back Bay, but welcome it being accompanied by something like a Copley Place tower.
Czervik.Construction
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2013
- Messages
- 1,852
- Reaction score
- 928
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
This. Go to Denver. They have tall buildings with surface parking lots next to them - feels so desolate, not a lot of massing.
This. Go to Denver. They have tall buildings with surface parking lots next to them - feels so desolate, not a lot of massing.
AmericanFolkLegend
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2009
- Messages
- 2,205
- Reaction score
- 224
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
Impressive skyline and neighborhood-friendly streetwall are not mutually exclusive. There's room for comments on both on Archboston.
Impressive skyline and neighborhood-friendly streetwall are not mutually exclusive. There's room for comments on both on Archboston.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2012
- Messages
- 5,078
- Reaction score
- 1,653
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
I'm assuming he means let's get this thread back onto the PROJECT. Discussions on skylines and what makes a skyscraper belong in General Architecture or something.
I'm assuming he means let's get this thread back onto the PROJECT. Discussions on skylines and what makes a skyscraper belong in General Architecture or something.
Boston02124
Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2007
- Messages
- 6,825
- Reaction score
- 5,971
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
http://s998.photobucket.com/user/ric02124/media/046-25_zps834f8456.jpg.html[/IMG 
http://s998.photobucket.com/user/ric02124/media/046-25_zps834f8456.jpg.html[/IMG 
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2010
- Messages
- 8,894
- Reaction score
- 271
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
Great shots 02124! Great to see progress marching on!!
Great shots 02124! Great to see progress marching on!!
AmericanFolkLegend
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2009
- Messages
- 2,205
- Reaction score
- 224
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
Anyone know who the site contractor is?
Derenzo did the original work, but I heard they lost a ton of money when the work was halted.
Anyone know who the site contractor is?
Derenzo did the original work, but I heard they lost a ton of money when the work was halted.
jdrinboston
Active Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2011
- Messages
- 663
- Reaction score
- 488
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
Based on the equipment on site, it's still Derenzo. Liberty is also in the mix.
Based on the equipment on site, it's still Derenzo. Liberty is also in the mix.
BostonUrbEx
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2010
- Messages
- 4,340
- Reaction score
- 127
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
Apparently some windows got smashed up by accident today, and the Summer St entrance to the station was closed.
Apparently some windows got smashed up by accident today, and the Summer St entrance to the station was closed.
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2010
- Messages
- 8,894
- Reaction score
- 271
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
For a "dead" district, DTX has a hell of a lot of activity. This place is gonna be hopping once everything is finished!
For a "dead" district, DTX has a hell of a lot of activity. This place is gonna be hopping once everything is finished!
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
I think it's the empty storefronts that people are referring to. It's always packed with people, but there are a decent amount of empty or dilapidated retail spaces.
I think it's the empty storefronts that people are referring to. It's always packed with people, but there are a decent amount of empty or dilapidated retail spaces.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2012
- Messages
- 5,078
- Reaction score
- 1,653
Re: Millennium Tower - Filene's
DTX is never dead. Anyone who says otherwise has an agenda, or is afraid of the people getting off the Orange Line... empty store fronts reflects underutilization, but at this point DTX is "up-and-coming", although given the constant swarms of people and surplus of luxury housing you could say it's already arrived.
You want a dead district walk a few blocks south east.
DTX is never dead. Anyone who says otherwise has an agenda, or is afraid of the people getting off the Orange Line... empty store fronts reflects underutilization, but at this point DTX is "up-and-coming", although given the constant swarms of people and surplus of luxury housing you could say it's already arrived.
You want a dead district walk a few blocks south east.
- Status