Allston-Brighton Infill and Small Developments

#bancars said:
I wonder what the Twin Donuts parcel will look like in 10 or 20 years. Given that triangular lot, it seems like it would be a great spot for a tall, landmark flatiron-type building, maybe with the old Twin Donuts sign incorporated somehow.
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It does make sense for a landmark building, but I'm not sure the lot will stay in its current configuration. One of the recommendations from the A-B mobility plan (from 2021) is to re-arrange the Union Square intersection to shrink its footprint and reduce crossing distances. Doing that in conjunction with redevelopment of Twin Donuts would be a win-win, with Hamilton getting more developable land and the city getting some construction costs covered. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
 
This hasnt been posted anywhere surprisingly but the atrium at 1079 commonwealth is u/c. Adaptive reuse of existing historic structures.

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“Renovation of an existing multi-family residential/commercial mixed-use building, located at 1079 Commonwealth Avenue in Packard’s Corner, Allston. Originally the Packard car dealership and manufacturing circa 1915-1930, the two structurally separate buildings were converted to mixed-use in the 1980’s. The building is on an 85,000 SF lot with residential living area of approximately 300,000 SF distributed on the upper 5 stories. The existing structure is reinforced concrete on floors 1- 4 with an addition of a 5th floor on the former roof level. The first floor of the building houses commercial tenants and parking while floors 2-5 are residential floors.

The core and shell building upgrades include a completely new metal panel façade within the historic masonry frame. Maximized fenestration at commercial and apartment floor levels bring natural light well into the lofty apartment units with their 11 foot high ceilings. Structural repairs and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems upgrades are in the renovation project scope.

The apartment interiors rehabilitation includes renovation of 186 units. The proposed plans feature a variety of unit layouts, ranging in size and configuration from single floor studios to 3-Bedroom/2.5 bathroom townhouse style apartment units. The building will be fully accessible and will include ten newly appointed accessible units. Each spacious apartment will be fully upgraded in a contemporary aesthetic with new kitchens, bathrooms and individual laundry rooms. Wood and LVT flooring, new finishes, fixtures and lighting will bring these older style apartments up to a premier luxury status. Some apartments will have either courtyard or street-facing balconies capturing scenic views of the neighborhood and beyond to the Boston downtown skyline.

Common areas and resident amenities will include a private courtyard with outdoor pool, tenant lobby lounge with fireplace and on-site garage parking. Residents will have convenient access to the newly renovated health club at the 1st floor level of The Atrium – the Commonwealth Sports Club.”

https://hcmcorp.com/portfolio-items/the-atrium/

Previous structure:
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Compared to:
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Corner lot in Brighton Center could sprout 18 condos​

Rendering of proposed 434 Washington St.


“The Zoning Board of Appeal yesterday approved plans for a four-story, 18-unit condo building on Washington and Foster streets in Brighton.
The proposal by Peninsula Capital Group would replace an unoccupied single-family house.
Three of the units would be sold as affordable, a studio to somebody making no more than 50% of the Boston area median income and two larger units, one to be sold to people making no more than 70% of that level and the other at 80% of that level.
The building would use a stacker system to provide 11 parking spaces. The building would have one ground-floor commercial unit.…..”

https://www.universalhub.com/2025/corner-lot-brighton-center-could-sprout-18-condos
 
stick n move said:
This hasnt been posted anywhere surprisingly but the atrium at 1079 commonwealth is u/c. Adaptive reuse of existing historic structures.

View attachment 61541
View attachment 61542
View attachment 61543

“Renovation of an existing multi-family residential/commercial mixed-use building, located at 1079 Commonwealth Avenue in Packard’s Corner, Allston. Originally the Packard car dealership and manufacturing circa 1915-1930, the two structurally separate buildings were converted to mixed-use in the 1980’s. The building is on an 85,000 SF lot with residential living area of approximately 300,000 SF distributed on the upper 5 stories. The existing structure is reinforced concrete on floors 1- 4 with an addition of a 5th floor on the former roof level. The first floor of the building houses commercial tenants and parking while floors 2-5 are residential floors.

The core and shell building upgrades include a completely new metal panel façade within the historic masonry frame. Maximized fenestration at commercial and apartment floor levels bring natural light well into the lofty apartment units with their 11 foot high ceilings. Structural repairs and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems upgrades are in the renovation project scope.

The apartment interiors rehabilitation includes renovation of 186 units. The proposed plans feature a variety of unit layouts, ranging in size and configuration from single floor studios to 3-Bedroom/2.5 bathroom townhouse style apartment units. The building will be fully accessible and will include ten newly appointed accessible units. Each spacious apartment will be fully upgraded in a contemporary aesthetic with new kitchens, bathrooms and individual laundry rooms. Wood and LVT flooring, new finishes, fixtures and lighting will bring these older style apartments up to a premier luxury status. Some apartments will have either courtyard or street-facing balconies capturing scenic views of the neighborhood and beyond to the Boston downtown skyline.

Common areas and resident amenities will include a private courtyard with outdoor pool, tenant lobby lounge with fireplace and on-site garage parking. Residents will have convenient access to the newly renovated health club at the 1st floor level of The Atrium – the Commonwealth Sports Club.”

https://hcmcorp.com/portfolio-items/the-atrium/

Previous structure:
:


Compared to:
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Incredible that they're taking a building without alternating windows and going and jamming in alternating windows.
 
-Appproved

521-523 Cambridge Street​

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“The proposed project's small project change will construct a 6-story residential building consisting of 35 units, 5 of which will be affordable. Among the affordable units will be a three-bedroom family-sized unit. The proposed project will contain zero on-site parking spots for vehicles and will include parking for 34 bicycles.”

521-523 Cambridge Street | Bostonplans.org

Development Projects and Planned Development Areas (PDAs) that the Development Review division is coordinating.
www.bostonplans.org www.bostonplans.org
 
stick n move said:
-Appproved

521-523 Cambridge Street​

View attachment 63256

“The proposed project's small project change will construct a 6-story residential building consisting of 35 units, 5 of which will be affordable. Among the affordable units will be a three-bedroom family-sized unit. The proposed project will contain zero on-site parking spots for vehicles and will include parking for 34 bicycles.”

521-523 Cambridge Street | Bostonplans.org

Development Projects and Planned Development Areas (PDAs) that the Development Review division is coordinating.
www.bostonplans.org www.bostonplans.org
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Nice, this is density at a prominent corner. I like the texture, hopefully materials can deliver the vision...
 
FK4 said:
Nice, this is density at a prominent corner. I like the texture, hopefully materials can deliver the vision...
Click to expand...

It's cool how much new housing has been added on the block around Union Square the past couple years. Really makes it all feel a bit less barren, though the intersection itself is still an overbuilt mess!
 
#bancars said:
It's cool how much new housing has been added on the block around Union Square the past couple years. Really makes it all feel a bit less barren, though the intersection itself is still an overbuilt mess!
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In the way only the type of person who finds their way to forums like this can truly know, when I was younger I used to be mildly obsessed with Union Sq and how much potential it had given its location and its major X shaped confluence of two major roads. Taking the 66, I would sort of imagine it getting built into a proper square, and I suppose it is. If only the 66 could somehow be routed underground thru Allston.. if it did not have to turn at Union, I think you could probably eliminate some of the turns and shore up the curbs more readily.

Does anyone remember the Brazilian place that was in that big parking lot? I can’t even remember what it was called now, Cafe something I think—gone for at least 15 years but it was a great place.

Edit - it was here https://maps.app.goo.gl/XX6kMyisGK4GQTeh6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
 
FK4 said:
In the way only the type of person who finds their way to forums like this can truly know, when I was younger I used to be mildly obsessed with Union Sq and how much potential it had given its location and its major X shaped confluence of two major roads. Taking the 66, I would sort of imagine it getting built into a proper square, and I suppose it is. If only the 66 could somehow be routed underground thru Allston.. if it did not have to turn at Union, I think you could probably eliminate some of the turns and shore up the curbs more readily.

Does anyone remember the Brazilian place that was in that big parking lot? I can’t even remember what it was called now, Cafe something I think—gone for at least 15 years but it was a great place.

Edit - it was here https://maps.app.goo.gl/XX6kMyisGK4GQTeh6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Click to expand...
Cafe Belo I believe. If you go on Google Street View and go back to August 2009 you can just barely make out the web address under the big red arrow on the sign. I think they had a fire in the main storefront so they were in another space in that plaza for a while. One of the years that Brazil won the World Cup, they had a giant screen out in the parking lot and screened the final match. Looking this up, it must have been 2002 when the WC was held in South Korea and Japan. So the game was on in the morning here - I recall waking up to the sound of loud cheering down the street. I went down and the plaza was jammed full of people, and when they won, the place went absolutely bananas. I remember the cops had to shut down that block of Brighton Ave. for a while because everyone was pouring into the streets, waving flags, and generally losing their minds.
 
crispino said:
Cafe Belo I believe. If you go on Google Street View and go back to August 2009 you can just barely make out the web address under the big red arrow on the sign. I think they had a fire in the main storefront so they were in another space in that plaza for a while. One of the years that Brazil won the World Cup, they had a giant screen out in the parking lot and screened the final match. Looking this up, it must have been 2002 when the WC was held in South Korea and Japan. So the game was on in the morning here - I recall waking up to the sound of loud cheering down the street. I went down and the plaza was jammed full of people, and when they won, the place went absolutely bananas. I remember the cops had to shut down that block of Brighton Ave. for a while because everyone was pouring into the streets, waving flags, and generally losing their minds.
Click to expand...
Yes! And I think you’re right, they slightly moved spaces before they closed down for good. And I have been told about the World Cup party in that parking by others—good memory! That must’ve been so cool.
 
FK4 said:
Yes! And I think you’re right, they slightly moved spaces before they closed down for good. And I have been told about the World Cup party in that parking by others—good memory! That must’ve been so cool.
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Cafe Belô is still around, they moved out to Framingham.
 
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FK4 said:
crispino said:
Cafe Belo I believe. If you go on Google Street View and go back to August 2009 you can just barely make out the web address under the big red arrow on the sign. I think they had a fire in the main storefront so they were in another space in that plaza for a while. One of the years that Brazil won the World Cup, they had a giant screen out in the parking lot and screened the final match. Looking this up, it must have been 2002 when the WC was held in South Korea and Japan. So the game was on in the morning here - I recall waking up to the sound of loud cheering down the street. I went down and the plaza was jammed full of people, and when they won, the place went absolutely bananas. I remember the cops had to shut down that block of Brighton Ave. for a while because everyone was pouring into the streets, waving flags, and generally losing their minds.
Click to expand...

Yes! And I think you’re right, they slightly moved spaces before they closed down for good. And I have been told about the World Cup party in that parking by others—good memory! That must’ve been so cool.
Click to expand...
I finally found some old pics (taken with a friend's unbelievably fancy new device called a digital camera - forgive the low resolution) of that morning.

I was able to get onto the roof of the building next door thanks to a well-placed tree growing in back.
Brasil03.JPG


When they won they busted out this huge flag...
Brasil13.JPG


...and then paraded it right out into the street and up and down Brighton Ave. for a while.
Brasil11.JPG


Brasil15.JPG


They even draped it over unsuspecting cars trying to move down the street. It was probably shortly after this that the police closed down this section of the street for a bit.
Brasil18.JPG


Fans of all stripes getting in on the celebration.
Brasil09.JPG


Brasil05.JPG


Good times!
 
crispino said:
I finally found some old pics (taken with a friend's unbelievably fancy new device called a digital camera - forgive the low resolution) of that morning.

I was able to get onto the roof of the building next door thanks to a well-placed tree growing in back.
View attachment 63754

When they won they busted out this huge flag...
View attachment 63756

...and then paraded it right out into the street and up and down Brighton Ave. for a while.
View attachment 63757

View attachment 63758

They even draped it over unsuspecting cars trying to move down the street. It was probably shortly after this that the police closed down this section of the street for a bit.
View attachment 63759

Fans of all stripes getting in on the celebration.
View attachment 63760

View attachment 63761

Good times!
Click to expand...
So great—thanks for sharing these!!
 
mssrro said:
421-425 Market Street (23 units)







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I love that they bit the bullet and went with real copper on the street facing facade. It already looks like a quality build, but as the years start passing by it will slowly start looking better and better and better as the patina starts to show on the copper bay windows.

Relatively quickly it will turn from near orange to that beautiful dark brown color that copper is known for. Then as time passes by some of the seams and a few places around the edges will start to show a slight rusty green color that gives a glimpse into what is to come. Then as more time passes the green accents will slowly start turning milky green and growing out further and further away from the seams and edges until eventually theyre all connected. The entire material will have become a consistent beautiful pale green color as a reward for the effort and years of patience. Its well worth the wait imo.

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stick n move said:
I love that they bit the bullet and went with real copper on the street facing facade. It already looks like a quality build, but as the years start passing by it will slowly start looking better and better and better as the patina starts to show on the copper bay windows.
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Agreed. And once that patina sets in, it'll match the color of the siding, which is a nice touch.
 
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