Winthrop Center | 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

DZH22 said:
Since Odurandina is likely the most blocked user on this site, I am going to repost this information. There is a BCDC meeting about this building TONIGHT!
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I hope some people go, but I just wrote an email to Casey Hines and David Carlson asking them to PLEASE address the new, terrible re-design.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

Just a reminder the meeting starts in 3 minutes. However, it looks like the Winthrop Square discussion is scheduled for 7:50.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

I was engaged in development matters closer to home this evening, so I missed this important meeting. Mr Carlson will be hearing from me in the days ahead.

For those who attended, any recap of the discussion?
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

I missed the meeting but just found this document dated 1/31/18 and don't think it's been posted yet. There are quite a few renders in here. It looks slightly different, especially at the top. Still bleh beyond belief, but maybe 10% less tacky.

http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/9fcc97a0-9a68-4e54-b872-ccf47f5b1983

EDIT: Holy Moly there are some new heights here on page 4. It looks like this will end up being 715'-716' to the very top. Also apparently the Pregnant Building might be 618'! (likely to the mech box on top) 101 Federal might be just over 400'! (408' to the top of the tower formations) Is Boston getting taller without lifting a finger?
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

Exchange Place is apparently 542'. i'll try to get that confirmed. i'm sanguine 1 Financial Ctr is 600'.

It's quite similar to Steve Belkin's tower plan from 4 years ago. It's an awkward thing; reflecting the challenge to squeeze all the affordable housing, park beautification, etc.

Not crazy about adding such a prominent earthy trim on top of an already incredibly brown, red, Tuscany & coffee colored Downtown skyline, but it'll probably last 180 years.

How soon before we see drilling rigs? The foundation prep should proceed.


 
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Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

I still am not a fan, but I'd say you can cut my overall vitriol in half from my initial reaction. It doesn't quite look like an 80's robot anymore. The cladding looks like stone.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

Actually from looking at page 3, it looks like there are 2 measurements. One is NAVD 1988, while the other is BCB, which appears to stand for Boston City Base.

NAVD 1988 is 710', while BCB is 716'. Anybody have a clue which one of these would qualify as the actual official height?
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

falcon42 said:
How about a project that already has financing if approved in that time table because I'm involved in it. Does that count or is that too crystal ball for you? The point is, its project to project, owner by owner. You cannot make a blanket statement. The sources of financing are vast these days, including a high tolerance of risk from foreign investors (big and small).
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It sounds like your example is not excluded in my speculation. Having financing lined up is more important than shovels in the ground when a downturn rolls around.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

This is the Boston city hall version of a tower.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

1 Fed is 591’ tall according to every website on the internet. Where does 618’ come from? Elevation above sea level ?
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

617 said:
1 Fed is 591’ tall according to every website on the internet. Where does 618’ come from? Elevation above sea level ?
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I don't think they ever counted the mech box on the roof. Keep in mind this is Boston, where everything is reported incorrectly, since they constantly leave out the space above the highest occupied floors. This tower is reported at 691' yet the top of the roof is either 710' or 716' (unsure NAVD vs BCB). Atlantic Wharf was 395' until it became 436', then possibly 449'. Millennium Tower was 625' until it was suddenly 685'. Exchange Place has been 510' but now we're thinking 542'. Boston has been under-reporting the heights of these buildings for decades.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

617 said:
This is the Boston city hall version of a tower.
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I disagree. It isn't that bad.

Also since it's downtown and not that tall it won't stand out. And the ground level still looks decent.

Back Bay this tower would be horrible, but downtown most towers just blend in.

I'd compare its effect to something like One Financial Center.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

wish they had kept the 'rounded rectangle' when the new sections were added.

wonder if they made it a true rectangle to get back a few 1000 sq ft.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

So when is this thing going to be approved ?
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

SOLD! Build the fucking thing already. Current renderings I can live with.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

I still don't understand the heights listed on pages 3 and 4. Page 3 in particular has 3 different heights against the same line. Does anybody know which height is actually from the street to the top of the building?
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

DZH22 said:
I still don't understand the heights listed on pages 3 and 4. Page 3 in particular has 3 different heights against the same line. Does anybody know which height is actually from the street to the top of the building?
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I don't but it answers the question of why they didn't build up to FAA limits. Turns out they will. I would also think the FAA's view on the height of the building would be the definitive one.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

the side-by-side images on page 3 of the initial proposal next to the current... i don't know how anyone could be ok with the evolution. nobody could look at that page and not feel the city has been swindled
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

The refinements up top are a welcome improvement, but I still dislike it as a whole.
 
Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

I feel not as bad anymore, either, but the "sheared" / mis-aligned glass really bothers me. Go to page 23 and look at the step by step.... the last step "shear" makes it look tacky.

I like the stone look. Still don't think it's as elegant as the original design though.
 
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