Cambridge Infill and Small Developments

Agreed. And between Bagelsaurus, and Davis Square Bagels and Doughnuts within walking distance, I'm surprised Bruegger's is still there - not only is the quality crap (bagels and sandwiches at all three places are comparable in price but DSB+D and Bagelsaurus are better in every metric), but the service is crap too. Speed (Bagelsaurus especially has lines and sells out - DSB+D is usually pretty quick) is the only thing they have going for them.

Bruegger's closed last month.
 
Globe: Downfall of Sears may boost a major development project at CambridgeSide

A chunk of the CambridgeSide Galleria -- including the above-ground garage and soon-to-be-vacant Sears space -- could be redeveloped into mixed-use office, retail, and residential space up to 175 feet tall.

Tim Logan said:
But in recent weeks New England Development executives have met with neighborhood groups and city officials to pitch new buildings, perhaps as tall as 175 feet, that would open up the western side of the mall — now a wall of brick and concrete — and add a substantial amount of new office space and housing.

[...]

The plan, Black said, will likely include fitness, retail, housing and office space.

Interestingly, the Sears space is owned separately from the rest of the mall. And from a map of the galleria (pdf) it looks like the Sears space and above-ground garage could be redeveloped with little impact on the rest of the mall (the under-ground garage doesn't appear to extend under the First Street frontage).

This could be a huge win for that area. The current First Street frontage of the Galleria is bad. This project could add good density, better tie the mall to the neighborhood, liven up the street, and open up access to the River without losing anything.
 
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This could be a huge win for that area. The current First Street frontage of the Galleria is bad. This project could add good density, better tie the mall to the neighborhood, liven up the street, and open up access to the River without losing anything.

Wow, the one-story other side of that street ain't no great shakes either. Let's hope someone does both.
 
I seem to recall that the former taxi garage visible in the last photo had some recent proposal. However, I’m failing to find it.
 
I noticed that the CambridgeSide folks are proposing to convert the third floor to office space. I guess they can lease it for more than the cost of the recent refurbishment.
 

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