The houses are actually spaced closer together than the surrounding neighborhood homes, and are vernacular to the area. Its a much, much better plan then the earlier iterations that had a low rise commie-block styling. Also:
-the existing neighborhood street grid is extended throughout the whole development (for the first time in history)
-a large, ugly, vacant strip mall and parking lot were demolished to make room
-the apartment portion has retail on the entire first floor
-the apartment portion's styling isn't too bad
-the houses are multi-family and built with quality materials (hardiboard siding, not vinyl)
-there is some market rate mixed in with the section 8 (and it's a private housing project, not BHA)
-it is taller and more dense than anything on this side of the pike
The only issue I have with it is that the greenspace around the houses is all open and not parceled off into actual yards, which might make it feel more project-y than it should.
But that's it. It's not the taj, but its a trend setter for the area. Unlike the Kensington, I don't see any way it could have been better unless it was built by a well financed private developer. However, so far none have done anything this substantial nor have shown any interest in building much of anything. The dewalt building has been sitting vacant for sale for years now; you could fit a large apartment building on that site. The city has been begging people to propose something to do with the speedway buildings. No movement. If this project gets retail tenants and the private condos get built and sold maybe we will see better quality down the line.
In addition, the neighborhood itself (west of everett st) is primararly lower middle class familys with children, along with a smattering of young professionals, so the project blends nicely with that demographic as well. So really, quit bitching
-the existing neighborhood street grid is extended throughout the whole development (for the first time in history)
-a large, ugly, vacant strip mall and parking lot were demolished to make room
-the apartment portion has retail on the entire first floor
-the apartment portion's styling isn't too bad
-the houses are multi-family and built with quality materials (hardiboard siding, not vinyl)
-there is some market rate mixed in with the section 8 (and it's a private housing project, not BHA)
-it is taller and more dense than anything on this side of the pike
The only issue I have with it is that the greenspace around the houses is all open and not parceled off into actual yards, which might make it feel more project-y than it should.
But that's it. It's not the taj, but its a trend setter for the area. Unlike the Kensington, I don't see any way it could have been better unless it was built by a well financed private developer. However, so far none have done anything this substantial nor have shown any interest in building much of anything. The dewalt building has been sitting vacant for sale for years now; you could fit a large apartment building on that site. The city has been begging people to propose something to do with the speedway buildings. No movement. If this project gets retail tenants and the private condos get built and sold maybe we will see better quality down the line.
In addition, the neighborhood itself (west of everett st) is primararly lower middle class familys with children, along with a smattering of young professionals, so the project blends nicely with that demographic as well. So really, quit bitching
... but like the Miamis and Monacos of the world, Brazil's coastal cities can handle those sorts of buildings. I'm not a fan of them in Boston or other northern cities, where for much of the year they look grey, lifeless and awkward.
