Best New Development of 2009

[briv]

Ron, I think you're right about the Paramount--it's not quite complete yet.

^ The Age of Diminished expectations vs. the Heroic Age.

Ablarc, if we were still in Boston's "Heroic Age" the whole block would be leveled and replaced with a monolithic hulk dressed in the fashion of the day. Is that what you'd prefer?

 

[ablarc]

^ No, but a little heroism of a different sort would do no harm. Trinity Church is heroic, and so is the Five Cents Saving Bank.

 

[ablarc]

If you think about it, the excellence of the Paramount belongs to a previous age --especially the sign, which is all we have to react to, and which was spruced up a few years ago. Should we give "Best New Development" to a refreshed paint job, particularly one that wasn't even done in 2009?

Ames Hotel also leans on borrowed glory.

What does all this say about Boston's present-day glory?

No prize, I say.

 

[bdurden]

The Paramount Center is also a residence hall.

 

[Ron Newman]

ablarc, what do you think of the new Cambridge Public Library? That would be my current choice for this prize.

 

[ablarc]

^ I used to live on Trowbridge Street; walking from the Square brought me through the bedraggled park that was bounded by the library and the two high schools. It was always a place to hurry through; no one could have enjoyed lingering in this place unless they were selling something. If the library has made the "park" a place to linger fondly, then I say bravo.

Pictures that show this?

 

[czsz]

If you think about it, the excellence of the Paramount belongs to a previous age --especially the sign, which is all we have to react to, and which was spruced up a few years ago. Should we give "Best New Development" to a refreshed paint job, particularly one that wasn't even done in 2009?

Ames Hotel also leans on borrowed glory.

What does all this say about Boston's present-day glory?

No prize, I say.

Yes, god forbid we award well-done historic preservation/renovation.

Would you not have conferred an award on Faneuil Hall Marketplace back in the 70s for the same reason?

Much of Boston's history - beyond the colonial theme park monuments - are still in danger. The city seems to think its early 20th century past is not worth saving. There's still heroism in making the city proud of this recent heritage.

 

[statler]

I get what ablarc is saying.

I don't think he is arguing against rewarding projects like the Paramount, just not rewarding them as something new.

It is a fantastic renovation and should be applauded, but adds very little new architecture the city.

 

[Ron Newman]

This is also an argument over whether a purely interior project should be eligible for our award. The Paramount fa?ade and sign were restored several years ago. The restored interior is reportedly wonderful, but so far this is just hearsay until more of us can get inside.

 

[czsz]

Maybe we need new categories?

 

[ablarc]

This is also an argument over whether a purely interior project should be eligible for our award. The Paramount fa?ade and sign were restored several years ago. The restored interior is reportedly wonderful, but so far this is just hearsay until more of us can get inside.

Maybe we need new categories?

How about: "Best Interior That None Of Us Has Seen" ?


(Or: "Best Three-Year Old Exterior Paint Job" ?)

 

[statler]

Or, you know, Best Renovation/Restoration.

Either way.

 

[bdurden]

^ha--yea.

 

[briv]

My understanding is that Paramount Center includes not just the Paramount Theater restoration and renovation, but the neighboring Arcade Building renovation and new mid-rise addition. It's actually a pretty substantial project.

Anyways, I dont think the Paramount is finished yet, so it wont be included this year.

 

[Ron Newman]

True. But I'd really like people to call that the Bijou building rather than the Arcade building, to reflect the fact that it contained a theatre for many years.