Fort Point Infill and Small Developments

As long as there is not live or piped-in music on the roof deck, why would it cause any concerns for neighbors?
 
Shepard said:
^ Westie's most on-point post to date. Put simply, good urbanity takes time, because good urbanity is often organic in its emergence and growth. I agree with this. But I'll also add the only game-changing developments we're seeing today are deep-pocket developer superblocks, and that's a result of BRA policy. City (and state and federal) government shapes the kind of organic growth that takes place - and here the BRA's record is decidedly mixed, I believe.
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Shep -- I think the game-changing is changing

When you get a bonified restaurant superstar such as Ming Tsai opening a small neighborhood place -- Blue Dragon has 70 seats -- and not just putting his name on somebody's mega project (i.e. Ming Tsai's Bluer than Ginger to open off the lobby of the 1000 room Marriott Waterfront Convention Mega Hotel) -- that's a game changer -- and it could trigger a restaurant boom much as how the South End became a "foody's-mecca"
 
Ron Newman said:
As long as there is not live or piped-in music on the roof deck, why would it cause any concerns for neighbors?
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Personally I liked the idea of a roofdeck.

But I can understand the concerns of condo owners at Mondo Condo, a building with residential units separated from the roofdeck by a narrow driveway. The condo has operable windows, no central air, some window A/C units. The sound from roofdeck diners would be easily audible within residential units, just as the sound from Barlows (a terrific patio) is audible 50-70 feet away, across Binford and Channel Center St. Barlows patio was approved, in fact supported, by abutters who felt the distance was sufficient.

I'm not defending an objection if there was one, in fact I'm not aware there was any objection registered. I'm responding to you just to point out that some raised concerns would have been anticipated and perhaps reasonable.

I continue to think it was a mistake for the BRA to recently approve residential units on the ground floor across from Ming's restaurant, at a prime retail location that could have complemented the restaurant.
 
Off this mico-topic

Did anyone in the area note if the groundbreaking for the 319 A St rear tower is still planned for Thursday

from the BBJ
Another groundbreaking in Boston’ Seaport District will take on place on Thursday as Gerding Edlen starts construction on the $150 million Boston Wharf Tower..... 21-story apartment building, the tallest in the Fort Point neighborhood, with 184 units at 319 A St. Rear
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072312_319A_Street.jpg
 
AmericanFolkLegend said:
Sicil, which one is Mondo Condo? I thought that was above Chimera (i.e., Across A Street).
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The building you mention, formerly home of Chimera, is across A from the diner. That is 319 A St Front. Upper floors are office and non-residential studios. Chimera's space is now Twelve Chairs.

Mondo Condo is two commercial and residential buildings at 326 A St on the same lot as the diner, at the northwest corner of A and Melcher (diagonally across A St from the former Chimera store). The 2nd Mondo Condo building is 50 Melcher, a two-story building nestled between 326 A and the rear of 283 Summer (Papagayo).

^whighlander

Yes, the groundbreaking is scheduled for Thursday, with the Mayor onsite.
 
I'm confused by the double framing of floors. Is this intended to help it blend in more? Is it a tactic to make it look shorter? It sure made Russia Wharf look shorter by framing in multiple floors with cladding.
The alternating balconies on opposite sides of the solid corner is neat though. Offers up a little privacy.
 
It is a architectural tool called a "giant order". Yes, it is a scale device. It is used to either monumental-ize something like a double height column portico or arcade. It can also be used to reduce the visual scale as you suggested, buy grouping punches. The opposite can be seen at Simmons Hall at MIT where each floor had 3 bands of punches, making the building SEEM taller.

cca
 
Went by the Channel One site yesterday and noticed they have earth movers working. Big mound of old pilings in the middle of the site. Site fenced off and big Suffolk signs planted. The USPS is still parking trailers on the future parking garage and park sites.
 
Yeah, there's a bit of a hurry up on that one. I believe we were involved in at least issuing a quickie underground set of drawings to get the ball rolling a few weeks ago.
 
I went to the Boston Children's Museum tonight for Grown-Ups Night with some friends. It's a great museum, I can see why it's such a hit with families. That jungle gym is so awesome to climb up if you ever get a chance--I'd seen it from outside for years and finally got to climb it tonight!

Felt like a kid again. :)
 
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It ooks nice at the corner, but boo overall to that.

I know it can't stay, but I really loved the grime feeling here and under the bridge.

I guess nothing bronze can stay Ponyboy.
 
^ Finally a Blue Ginger in the city, where it belongs.
 
They're out painting the new Ming Tsai restaurant today (the old A Street Deli). The painted brick takes away so much for the original character. I'll wait to see what the whole thing looks like for final judgement; but right now it makes the building look way more run-down instead of a classic part of the neighborhood.
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