Mayor Announces Russia Wharf Design Changes
Says BRA Board Approval Makes Way for Latest Architectural Masterpiece on Boston Waterfront
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced that Boston Properties, owners of Russia Wharf, received approval at today??s Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) Board meeting to implement certain design changes to the previously approved project. The $500 million redevelopment will make available approximately 150 residential units in the preserved and rehabilitated Graphics Arts and Tufts Buildings, and approximately 65 residential units in the Russia Building. There will also be a tower above the Graphic Arts and Tufts Building boasting more than a half-million square feet of office space on floors nine through 31. When completed, Russia Wharf will contain more than 32,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, and civic space.
"These design changes are reflective of our lively and prosperous waterfront neighborhood -- Russia Wharf will serve as an example of the innovative, mixed-use design development we need along our Harbor," said Mayor Menino. "As the Rose Kennedy Greenway continues to come to life and connects our downtown area to the water's edge, Russia Wharf's premier design and architecture will draw people down to the Harbor -- to work, visit or simply relax."
The redevelopment of Russia Wharf was originally approved by the BRA Board in May of 2004 under the ownership of Equity Office Properties, and involved the development of more than 900,000 square feet of rehabilitation and new construction including approximately 50 new loft-style residential units, an approximately 300-room suites-style hotel, an approximately 500,000 square foot office building. A mix of uses was also proposed for the ground level locations.
In 2005, MA-Russia Wharf L.L.C., an affiliate of Equity Office Properties, submitted a Notice of Project Change to the BRA, which described a series of relatively minor design and programmatic modifications to the original project, including the adaptive reuse of the Graphic Arts and Tufts Buildings for residential condominium units instead of hotel suites, and to increase the number of residential condominium units in the Russia Building to 65 units from the original 50 units. In August of 2005, the BRA approved these changes.
In December of 2005, the BRA approved a Development Plan for Planned Development Area No. 66 for the Russia Wharf Redevelopment Project. The Development Plan recognized that modifications may have to be made to the project during the permitting and design review process, and authorized the BRA director to approve written requests for minor modifications to the Project??s design consistent with the height and density limitations and the public benefits obligations set forth in the Development Plan.
In February 2007, Equity Office Properties, the original proponent of the Russia Wharf Redevelopment Project was purchased by the Blackstone Group. The project was subsequently purchased by, BP Russia Wharf LLC, an affiliate of Boston Properties, in March of 2007.
After acquiring the development project, Boston Properties decided to move forward with the project as approved in 2005, with the exception of certain exterior design changes. Today??s Board vote reflects the following design changes, which were submitted to the BRA last month.
* Reduction in the total size of the project from approximately 860,000 square feet to approximately 854,000 square feet, of which approximately 517,500 square feet will be office, 304,000 square feet will be residential and approximately 32,500 square feet will be the aggregate of retail, restaurant, performance, civic and cultural uses.
* The enclosure of the Nelson Court atrium to create a winter garden, and the re-introduction of a corner element to create a grander entrance to the office building and to establish a significant urban gesture towards the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
* Minor architectural and design changes reflecting more detailed engineering of the building, including a shift of the tower element 15 feet towards Fort Point Channel, the ??tilting?? of the design of the exterior facing Fort Point Channel, a peaked enclosure of a rooftop mechanical penthouse, the elimination of cross- bracing at the base of the tower, and the elimination of the 8th residential floor at the Graphic Arts/Tufts Building due to the fact that the plumbing and mechanical exhaust risers would have had to transfer horizontally under the 7th floor ceiling to align with the 8th floor locations.
Boston Properties expects to begin construction on Russia Wharf this fall, with a completion date slated for the beginning of 2011.
