Copley Place plan calls for condo tower
By Scott Van Voorhis
Thursday, June 22, 2006
You may someday be able to live as well as shop at Copley Place, with the owner of the posh Back Bay mall eyeing a major expansion that includes a new residential tower.
Retail giant Simon Property Group yesterday briefed City Hall development officials on preliminary plans for a major shopping and residential expansion, sources familiar with the planning said.
The Midwest-based retail giant is exploring an expansion of Copley Place onto a little-used plaza next to the mall alongside Dartmouth Street.
That would include shops, plus what would likely be a condo tower in the 20- to 30-story range, sources said.
A spokeswoman for City Hall?s development arm confirmed the meeting, citing Simon?s interest as an encouraging sign for the city?s business climate.
?It shows confidence in Boston?s economy,? said Susan Elsbree, a spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority. ?Their interest in housing in the Back Bay shows they know there is a market for both retail and residential.?
Simon?s mall expansion comes amid a residential boom in the Back Bay.
Trinity Place, with its multimillion-dollar condos, is just a short walk away near Copley Square, while a luxurious Mandarin Oriential hotel and condo project is under construction near the Prudential Center on Boylston Street.
Meanwhile, not far from Copley Square, two new tower complexes that will feature high-end condos are also in the works, The Clarendon and Columbus Center.
Simon may also have an eye on the Back Bay?s booming retail market.
The mall owner has been eager to capitalize on Copley Place?s prime space, recently moving Barneys New York into space filled by a cinema complex.
Meanwhile, store rents in the neighborhood, from Newbury Street to Copley Place, are soaring, executives have said.
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By Scott Van Voorhis
Thursday, June 22, 2006
You may someday be able to live as well as shop at Copley Place, with the owner of the posh Back Bay mall eyeing a major expansion that includes a new residential tower.
Retail giant Simon Property Group yesterday briefed City Hall development officials on preliminary plans for a major shopping and residential expansion, sources familiar with the planning said.
The Midwest-based retail giant is exploring an expansion of Copley Place onto a little-used plaza next to the mall alongside Dartmouth Street.
That would include shops, plus what would likely be a condo tower in the 20- to 30-story range, sources said.
A spokeswoman for City Hall?s development arm confirmed the meeting, citing Simon?s interest as an encouraging sign for the city?s business climate.
?It shows confidence in Boston?s economy,? said Susan Elsbree, a spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority. ?Their interest in housing in the Back Bay shows they know there is a market for both retail and residential.?
Simon?s mall expansion comes amid a residential boom in the Back Bay.
Trinity Place, with its multimillion-dollar condos, is just a short walk away near Copley Square, while a luxurious Mandarin Oriential hotel and condo project is under construction near the Prudential Center on Boylston Street.
Meanwhile, not far from Copley Square, two new tower complexes that will feature high-end condos are also in the works, The Clarendon and Columbus Center.
Simon may also have an eye on the Back Bay?s booming retail market.
The mall owner has been eager to capitalize on Copley Place?s prime space, recently moving Barneys New York into space filled by a cinema complex.
Meanwhile, store rents in the neighborhood, from Newbury Street to Copley Place, are soaring, executives have said.
Link
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