Back Bay Infill and Small Developments

2/2:


97 Newbury Street (Demolition & Replacement)






397-399 Commonwealth Avenue / 446 Marlborough Street (Marlborough St. Addition)





What's the story behind this last one? I used to live nearby and never understood what was up there.
 
What's the story behind this last one? I used to live nearby and never understood what was up there.

It's been a one-story annex to 397-399 Commonwealth ever since the property was built in 1925. In 1988 the Frederick Ayer Mansion next door built out a chapel expansion that extended onto the lot - both properties were owned by the Trimount Foundation at that time. In 2021 the two buildings were sold to the current ownership, which is now seeking to renovate both.



 

Possible rooftop dining atop old New England Life building approved​

Rendering of proposed rooftop deck


“The Zoning Board of Appeal today approved plans by the owner of 501 Boylston St. in the Back Bay - once home to the New England Mutual Life Insurance Co. - to replace a current rooftop structure housing building equipment with a new restaurant and office space with an outdoor patio.

Like the current "mechanicals" structure, the new glass-enclosed area at the top of the ten-story building would largely not be visible from the street, according to Yari Sanchez, attorney for the building owner Nuveen.

The board formally voted to approve "a change of occupancy to include Restaurant use on 11th floor," although Sanchez said that if that doesn't work out, Nuveen could turn the new interior rooms into an "amenity space" for building tenants……”

 

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