BU Development Thread

Thanks, guys. I didn't realize Harvard owned them. Are they part of the Allston expansion? If not, are there any known plans for them? Are they still used? (Apologies for stealing BU's thunder...)
 
I really hope they're smart enough to build the deck all at once instead of phasing it for different development sites.
 
The plan appears to call for the destruction of this building

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I do not approve
 
Hard to believe that this building would die, yet Warren Towers would live. But then again, it is BU we are talking about.

P.S. Maybe they will strip the architectural details and paste them on to the Hotel Commonbreath.
 
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Perhaps they could lash John Silber to the wrecking ball...
 
As others have mentioned, the plan appears to call for adding more floors to that building (NE corner of Deerfield St. and Comm. Ave.) rather than demolishing it. But maybe someone can ask BU for clarification on this?
 
Ron Newman said:
As others have mentioned, the plan appears to call for adding more floors to that building (NE corner of Deerfield St. and Comm. Ave.) rather than demolishing it. But maybe someone can ask BU for clarification on this?
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Except the grey blob the blue blob is sitting on is the post office building, not the good one.
 
That building isn't going anywhere--don't worry about it.
 
Or at least rescue that ground floor level!
 
'City Convenience' is a reasonable use of the ground level in a student-dominated neighborhood. Back when I lived around the corner on Bay State Road, the first-floor use was a record store, New England Music City.
 
It isn't the use. It is the horrible way the ground floor was stripped of its detailing.
 
I don't think it was any better in the 1970s when I lived there. I'm going to guess that the first floor was initially residential and was later converted to retail, resulting in the removal of first-floor windows on the side street.
 
bdurden said:
That building isn't going anywhere--don't worry about it.
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What makes you say that? Any insider info?

The rendering seems to show an existing building on Deerfield between Bay State and Comm Ave remaining underneath the addition up top, but it looks to be the building on the Bay State end (i.e., not the City Convenience bldg). Can't really say anything about this one based on the render, as far as I can see...
 
bdurden said:
That building isn't going anywhere--don't worry about it.
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Considering it's been sitting in prime space and has sat empty for years.... how can you say for sure? BU never responded to emails sent from forum members about the use of the building. BU was short on housing for a good 10 years, and yet this residential building was never opened.

I think we can all agree that BU would never say "we want to tear this down for a glass box" but would say "this building is structurally unsound and must be demolished"
 
1) The University has been trying to get it's students out of Kenmore Square for years, not into it. New residential development is focused on centralizing students in West campus housing (StuVi, West dorms), improving existing facilities and dorms. There are plans for an additional tower in the Student Village complex, and a further out development which would include the parking lot beside the HoJo built up for residential and possibly another residential tower on the air rights beside the BU bridge.

2) Community resistance -- it has already been mentioned that the Hotel Commonwealth debacle has casted a harsh light on any future development in Kenmore. It would be very, very difficult for BU to gain approval from the City to tear down this building.

3) This strategic plan is entirely conceptual. The very nature of a strategic plan is that it changes over time to meet the needs of a University. I wouldn't put too much weight into what you see other than a few of the already planned structures (the East Campus Student Services Center, the Law School expansion, StuVi 3)

4) BU has a long history of renovating and upgrading historic and existing buildings. They have renovated almost every brownstone on Bay State Rd, some on Beacon, and South Campus in Audobon Circle. I think it is safe to say that if a building is structurally sound, BU does not demolish it.

My guess is that the aforementioned building will be incorporated into an adaptive reuse, and the 2 adjacent buildings (New England Photography and Bertuccis) will be demolished.
 
bdurden said:
I think it is safe to say that if a building is structurally sound, BU does not demolish it.
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Funny what happens to a building when you let it rot for a few decades.

That said, I hope you are right am I'm wrong. I just wish they would show some signs of caring for that building.
 
jass said:
I think we can all agree that BU would never say "we want to tear this down for a glass box" but would say "this building is structurally unsound and must be demolished"
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Maybe they'll hire these guys to come up with an "objective ruling" on the building's soundness.
 
bdurden said:
1) The University has been trying to get it's students out of Kenmore Square for years, not into it. New residential development is focused on centralizing students in West campus housing (StuVi, West dorms), improving existing facilities and dorms. There are plans for an additional tower in the Student Village complex, and a further out development which would include the parking lot beside the HoJo built up for residential and possibly another residential tower on the air rights beside the BU bridge.
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I know what the plan is, Ive also spoken to deans. The problem is, it's not a very good plan. There are very few classrooms in west campus, most of the classrooms and labs are closer to Kenmore Square. It doesnt make sense to have all housing plans be in west campus and all classroom expansion plans to be in east campus. Although it does answer the question of why BU wants a 7th green line stop (at the BU bridge)

BU also isnt that great at planning for student needs. They opened the brand new Stuvi 2 with no real plan for how to feed the 500 students that wouldnt have access to a kitchen. Previously, these students ate in one of the 4 east campus dining halls.

Their last minute plan (really, it wasnt finalized until around May) involved opening some sandwich shop and adding an hour of service to an already overcapacity dining room.

It's also why I disapprove of the plan to consolidate east campus dining rooms. I'm sure the capacity will be just a wonderful as their west campus dining hall.

Let me guess, they assumed the rate of students entering to eat would be even from 4pm-8pm? Of course theres enough tables if students do this. But guess what: The dining hall is empty from 4-6pm and suddenly it's packed.
 
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