Cambridge Crossing (NorthPoint) | East Cambridge/Charlestown | Cambridge/Boston

[#bancars]

Lots of new kermit in the intersections here. Bike signals and curb-level bike lanes, but mostly unprotected intersections, unfortunately. Still, some good crossing islands and feels a lot easier to traverse the area outside a car than it used to:

 

[bigpicture7]

Unless I'm mistaken, that site got its initial approvals in May 2022, before Cambridge eliminated all parking minimums citywide in November 2022. Keep in mind that the memo notes that the CX permitting process related to parking started way back in ~2015. Consequently, when first permitted, it had gotten a special permit for the then in-force requirements. Since that parking condition had been written into its approvals back then, prior to the elimination of citywide parking minimums, it needs this amendment before they can proceed. Given that, I don't see any reason the city wouldn't grant this request.

The city has approved the developer's request to remove parking from the proposed Parcel R building:

PB-179

Special Permit Application, PB179

www.cambridgema.gov

^From therein: PB179 - Amendment 12 - Determination

(This decision is dated June 18th, but it just posted to the city website)

 

[Ruairi]

Went for lunch at CX today. It's a really nice area.

 

[#bancars]

Tap 151 apparently opened recently--was passing by and was surprised by how busy it looked already. Nice spot and it looks like they may be building out an outdoor patio?

 

[ivyhedge]

Yep: officially opened on 3 Oct at 11:30, but had been hosting various soft events for the last week.

Tap 151 apparently opened recently--was passing by and was surprised by how busy it looked already. Nice spot and it looks like they may be building out an outdoor patio?

 

[RandomWalk]

I’ve been commuting through CX relatively frequently, and the fact that buildings A-D are missing really hurts the definition of the place. You pass Lamplighter, going towards the community path, and it feels like you hit the edge of the world in The Thirteenth Floor. Even just building B would make a big difference, but that probably ain’t happening until interest rates drop to zero again.

 

[Longfellow]

Is there anything that can be renegotiated to make the development more feasible? More units?

 

[ivyhedge]

Those parcels have been slated for late development - likely after V (the legacy metro site) and, of course, the signature (non-residential) site LM (the tree farm!). Lot R (residential) was recently (partially) cleared of construction equipment (it had been parking for > 2y).

At DivCo's last presentation to CX, the rental residence/office timing of parcels A - D was defined as sometime between 2026 - 2030 (with sitewide completion and transit handover to Cambridge by 2035). Don't forget that is a dismal area: it's loud at all hours and construction on any single site will make for sloppy transit to and from any of the parcels until their (block) completion.

I should have additional information regarding site plans in early-mid December.

I’ve been commuting through CX relatively frequently, and the fact that buildings A-D are missing really hurts the definition of the place. You pass Lamplighter, going towards the community path, and it feels like you hit the edge of the world in The Thirteenth Floor. Even just building B would make a big difference, but that probably ain’t happening until interest rates drop to zero again.

 

[Smuttynose]

Took a couple strolls through Cambridge Crossing this week, day and night, and snapped some pics and jotted down a few thoughts. It’s amazing how quickly - relatively speaking- this has been built up (see site in 2017 here).

I have to say that walking through during the day I felt a bit like I was in a Black Mirror episode. The park is beautifully maintained as in like you can’t find a piece of litter even if you go searching for it. Seriously, it makes the Seaport look disheveled. There were only a few people out and about on a beautiful weekday afternoon and they all looked to be younger lab workers. As others have said, you don’t hear the highway noise and the buildings effectively block it out.

Most of the buildings look like labs or have a very institutional presence - they are not tall but many seem to have a pretty uniform height and large massing - so it feels a bit like you’re at a medical center or a large R&D campus.

When I walked through at night, it was more pleasant. The park was still mostly empty, but all the bars were very busy and it gave the place some more life. All in all, I think a shift to more residential and some additional diversity in height and architecture (particularly on the L & M parcels) would help inject a bit more life down here.

 

[atlantaden]

Smuttynose, thank you from someone who has never set foot in this area, for one beautiful set of pics! Have to say the colors, both the natural colors during the day, as well as the night lighting colors are amazing. I agree about the residential components, 500+ new residents would most certainly be welcomed and easily absorbed into the existing community. Maybe ivyhedge, since he's been a resident here for many years, will share some of his thoughts about additional residents, or life in neighborhood.

 

[as02143]

Took a couple strolls through Cambridge Crossing this week, day and night, and snapped some pics and jotted down a few thoughts. It’s amazing how quickly - relatively speaking- this has been built up (see site in 2017 here).

I have to say that walking through during the day I felt a bit like I was in a Black Mirror episode. The park is beautifully maintained as in like you can’t find a piece of litter even if you go searching for it. Seriously, it makes the Seaport look disheveled. There were only a few people out and about on a beautiful weekday afternoon and they all looked to be younger lab workers. As others have said, you don’t hear the highway noise and the buildings effectively block it out.

Most of the buildings look like labs or have a very institutional presence - they are not tall but many seem to have a pretty uniform height and large massing - so it feels a bit like you’re at a medical center or a large R&D campus.

When I walked through at night, it was more pleasant. The park was still mostly empty, but all the bars were very busy and it gave the place some more life. All in all, I think a shift to more residential and some additional diversity in height and architecture (particularly on the L & M parcels) would help inject a bit more life down here.

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Great photos.

Weekends here in the park spaces are great - my favorite is to get something at Beatrice and watch the ducks and turtles in the ponds during the summer. It's so easy to pass a couple hours there!

 

[#bancars]

Great photos.

Weekends here in the park spaces are great - my favorite is to get something at Beatrice and watch the ducks and turtles in the ponds during the summer. It's so easy to pass a couple hours there!

Agreed! The park actually gets a lot of use on the weekends, especially with nice weather. Lots of people out sitting in the Adirondack chairs, walking dogs, running, watching the ducks, etc.