Beton Brut
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 25, 2006
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Re: Children's Hospital Addition
It's a good thought, but we also need to understand the realities of these institutions. Each is a whole world unto itself, with self-contained amenities -- cafeterias, gift-shops, and so on. The truth is, clinicians just aren't going to browse Binney Street in scrubs in May, or in February. And visitors to the LMA are here for a purpose other than its retail offerings.
Retail is pretty thin on Longwood Ave (two Starbucks, a Boloco, The COOP), and there's the (disapointing and forlorn) food-court at the Longwood Galleria. A barber shop, or a dry cleaner might be a good addition, but I'd guess all the square footage in the new Children's building is likely to be devoted to patient care, good urbanism be damned.
When I used to work in the (now demolished) 454 Brookline Avenue (site of the YCCC), I often wished that there was a good bar in the neighborhood (aside from the charmless Longwood Grille). Folks tend to gravitate to Brigham Circle to tip a few after their daily toil.
It's a good thought, but we also need to understand the realities of these institutions. Each is a whole world unto itself, with self-contained amenities -- cafeterias, gift-shops, and so on. The truth is, clinicians just aren't going to browse Binney Street in scrubs in May, or in February. And visitors to the LMA are here for a purpose other than its retail offerings.
Retail is pretty thin on Longwood Ave (two Starbucks, a Boloco, The COOP), and there's the (disapointing and forlorn) food-court at the Longwood Galleria. A barber shop, or a dry cleaner might be a good addition, but I'd guess all the square footage in the new Children's building is likely to be devoted to patient care, good urbanism be damned.
When I used to work in the (now demolished) 454 Brookline Avenue (site of the YCCC), I often wished that there was a good bar in the neighborhood (aside from the charmless Longwood Grille). Folks tend to gravitate to Brigham Circle to tip a few after their daily toil.
