Copley Square Revamp | Back Bay

WCVB5: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu responds to grievances over new Copley Square park layout

I mean... this does look pretty bleak. I can find parking lots with more green space.
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JeffDowntown said:
Yes, but to be fair, the green space in the design is the part still under construction (upper left of your image).

Hardscape was clustered where it is in the design because of the way the park is used (only hardscape survives those uses).
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Exactly, theres more to come.

Heres some renders showing where the greenspaces will be along with some examples of the planters and expected canopy cover:
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https://www.sasaki.com/voices/city-of-boston-releases-design-updates-for-copley-square/
https://www.boston.com/news/local-n...square-new-design-event-space-greenery/?amp=1
 
Scott said:
^ The lady with the flowers is looking down so she doesn't break her ankle on the pavers
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She's probably trying to avoid making eye contact with any of the local creeps. Same thing with the lady in the 5th pic down holding the papers and red bag. Stranger still is the little kid in the last pic with the 80 on his back. What the heck is up with the backwards letters below the number? What is that shirt supposed to be for? Also in the same pic is a barefoot guy off to the left with the long sleeve black shirt and shorts.

In that pic with the furniture and the guy in the tie and earbuds in the middle, it looks like many of them are floating above the ground. It's probably the lack of shadows throwing things off, but I think they're trying to show feet on the ground and it doesn't look right.

Where do they come up with these people anyway? Are these stock pictures of real people or is it computer generated?
 
These were done by an intern with a deadline of "the presentation is tomorrow, please stay late" and often require photoshopping and cropping out figures from pictures in stock photos or online images. They're done quick and cheap because nobody really pays attention to the people - they're just filler, but help complete the image. Expensive developments like WS/Fenway Corners outsourced their renderings for a pretty penny (and it shows, but is the fake environment worth it?).
 
Was in Bryant Park last week - loved it (of course the weather helped). It made me think of this project and wish we could close off Dartmouth between St. James and Boylston and extend the park all the way from Trinity to BPL. Hardscape, cafes, and the like only around the perimeter. All lawn in the center - no cut through paths. Maybe even close off part of St. James with a turnaround for drop offs. I realize it might not practical, but I've never liked any iteration of this passthrough, and wish it could be more of a destination.
 
I think the first glimpse is a huge red flag that the renders we've seen are a bit deceptive. We all think of Copley Square as mostly urban lawn for - as ill-advised as it might be - strolling and sitting on the grass. I think the impression was that this was going to be the bulk of the green space that remained from the hardscape carveout. But look at the corner of Dartmouth and St. James:
stick n move said:
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https://www.sasaki.com/voices/city-of-boston-releases-design-updates-for-copley-square/
https://www.boston.com/news/local-n...square-new-design-event-space-greenery/?amp=1
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This is a little polygonal island of grass and tress right? No, it's actually going to be a planter that you will not be able to interact with at all:
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MjolnirMan said:
I think the first glimpse is a huge red flag that the renders we've seen are a bit deceptive. We all think of Copley Square as mostly urban lawn for - as ill-advised as it might be - strolling and sitting on the grass. I think the impression was that this was going to be the bulk of the green space that remained from the hardscape carveout. But look at the corner of Dartmouth and St. James:

This is a little polygonal island of grass and tress right? No, it's actually going to be a planter that you will not be able to interact with at all:
View attachment 62673
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None of the plans show that area as lawn (it doesn't show up in any renderings either). In the plans and aerial diagrams, lawn is a lighter green gradient in front of the church and fountain only. Planted areas are a darker green.
 
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Okay, well, if that was always the plan all along, no wonder people think it sucks. Do you think this render clearly represents the final state and distinguishes the types of green space?

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vs
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Yup, that's different. It would be nice if what's depicted on the side toward St. James Ave alongside the light poll is a row of benches. The grass/garden area is large enough for two trees, but I don't think it will be perceived as a large area. When these trees get large enough, they'll act as a visual baffle making that particular entrance narrow, then opening up to the large central hardscape area and the grass beyond. Nice.
 
Why do the renderings look like a tan color scheme that goes well with the colors of Trinity Church, whereas the news footage shows a gray wasteland that clashes with Trinity? Given the aerial news footage, I just can't envision any amount of added green space remaining that could make it A) look like there is as much green space as the renderings, and B) not make it look like a soulless City Hall Plaza skatepark... They have done the impossible and made me agree with conservative politicians.
 
It is concerning right now, but the "let it grow in" sentiment can't be stated enough. I remember how reviled the Greenway was back in 2006ish when first unveiled as a barren hellscape that was "no better than a traffic island." Twenty years on, some (not all, granted) blocks are a shocking oasis in the heart of a major American city.

One of my favorite views to emphasize that is at the corner of Atlantic and Seaport Blvd (across Atlantic from Hook Lobster)...

2007:
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2011:
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2018:
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2024:
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Despite being wedged between two ramps and a busy cross street, this parcel is surprisingly enjoyable; give Copley time and maybe it will need to evolve with some direct human intervention in addition to organic canopy growth.
 
cburns said:
It is concerning right now, but the "let it grow in" sentiment can't be stated enough. I remember how reviled the Greenway was back in 2006ish when first unveiled as a barren hellscape that was "no better than a traffic island." Twenty years on, some (not all, granted) blocks are a shocking oasis in the heart of a major American city.

One of my favorite views to emphasize that is at the corner of Atlantic and Seaport Blvd (across Atlantic from Hook Lobster)...

2007:
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2011:
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2018:
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2024:
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Despite being wedged between two ramps and a busy cross street, this parcel is surprisingly enjoyable; give Copley time and maybe it will need to evolve with some direct human intervention in addition to organic canopy growth.
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This render is a good example of that.

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When these trees are first planted it will probably feel like a barren wasteland with a couple of twigs sticking up, but with a filled out canopy it would be a nice respite to relax in the shade.

Also they basically laid down all of the pavers first, and the rest of the square that is still fenced off is where all of the different grass patches will be located. So at this point its as bare as its going to get and moving forward more and more grass will be incorporated until its all open, so well have to see how that changes things before making any final judgements.
 
The Boston Globe Editorial Board goes nuclear with its comparison:
After nearly two years of construction, during which the park was completely closed to the public, the project is still not completed. But what has been unveiled so far of the $18.9 million project looks rather like a mini version of the lifeless plaza that has always been the least attractive feature of Boston’s brutalist-style City Hall — a great place for large civic events but a barren and uninviting space most of the year.
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