Fort Point Infill and Small Developments

[EdMc]

Residence Inn Mariott

 

[briv]

EdMc, I merged your posts into one, for simplicity's sake.

They're great photos and thanks for posting them. Imagine what the Seaport could look like if it followed the model of the Fort Point instead of that of [insert random Sun Belt City here].

 

[EdMc]

Thanks, briv, the presentation looks nicer with the pictures collected together. I used this hotel as a base for photo ops of the waterfront at sunset and early morning. The hotel is special and unique, it does have the feel of loft living. I told the desk staff that I wished the rooms were condominiums and wished that I could afford them. By the way, the waterfront is priceless. When Fan Pier and Pier 4 are built out, it's going to be one-heck-of-a-stroll!

 

[MBTAddict]

Imagine what the Seaport could look like if it followed the model of the Fort Point instead of that of [insert random Sun Belt City here].

Congress Street and Summer Street are I think 2 of the best in the city in terms of their architecture and sense of place. Once the City finishes some upgrades to each in the next couple years, they will absolutely be 2 of the best looking streets around.

 

[datadyne007]

Congress Street and Summer Street are I think 2 of the best in the city in terms of their architecture and sense of place.

Genius loci. A term that has fallen on deaf ears in the history of development in Boston.

 

[dshoost88]

Is that basically latin for "sense of place"?

 

[brucepf]

Is that basically latin for "sense of place"?

Yes

 

[FortPointGuy]

Neighborhood buzz is that the parking lot at Farnsworth and Congress has been sold to a condo developer that is seeking to put something up along the lines of 6-8 stories.

 

[MBTAddict]

That and the other surface lot near the intersection of Congress and Sleeper are the only two breaks in the street wall between the channel and Boston Wharf Road. It would be great to seem them both filled in and 6-8 stories is pretty much perfect for the neighborhood.

 

[ParkerChris]

This would be great. Does anyone have any details about the huge lots between 319 and Channel Center, and the ones along the Channel down A moving towards Gillette? Is there chance that these lots are developed in the coming years?

 

[stellarfun]

This would be great. Does anyone have any details about the huge lots between 319 and Channel Center, and the ones along the Channel down A moving towards Gillette? Is there chance that these lots are developed in the coming years?

I believe that these lots are if not owned outright by the Turnpike Authority, are subject to an easement in perpetuity given the roadway beneath.

 

[jdrinboston]

Speaking of Sleeper Street...any ideas on the status of the Marriott Autograph hotel slated for the parking lot behind the Barking Crab? I was under the impression this was to start before the end of the summer?

 

[ParkerChris]

I believe that these lots are if not owned outright by the Turnpike Authority, are subject to an easement in perpetuity given the roadway beneath.

Gotcha, so short answer is no.. we will not see development of these lots in the near-term. That's a bummer.

 

[Ron Newman]

There no longer is a Turnpike Authority, but are you saying the lots can't support the weight of structures?

 

[stellarfun]

There no longer is a Turnpike Authority, but are you saying the lots can't support the weight of structures?

This was part of (or near) the section that they had to hard freeze the soil in order to tunnel. It also flooded during construction and had to be pumped out. Its also near the section where a large void has developed under the roadbed.

So given all that, if one was willing to self-finance and self-insure, assuming that one was even allowed to construct something over the roadway (with no excavation allowed, and no driving supporting pilings), one might build something.

For example, there are some jurisdictions that will allow one to build atop the right-of-way for a large diameter sewer, with the proviso that if the sewer authority needs to repair / replace the section of sewer above which your building sits, the building may come down. Hence, the likely self-financing and self-insuring of such structures. (The nature of the subsurface geology can make a big difference. In this area, Big Dig construction woes would indicate the subsurface geology is very problematic.)

 

[AmericanFolkLegend]

This would be great. Does anyone have any details about the huge lots between 319 and Channel Center, and the ones along the Channel down A moving towards Gillette? Is there chance that these lots are developed in the coming years?

The large L-shaped lot located across A Street from Wormwood Park (bordered by A Street, Necco St, the FP Channel and Gillette) is owned by Gillette. It was used as a dry dock to build tunnel sections in, which could then be floated into the Fort Point Channel. But the State only took a temporary construction easement. They paid Gillette a shitload of money and then repaved it for Gillette before returning it to them as a parking lot around 2004.
The lot is slated for both buildings and a park. Sicilian has posted maps of the "master plan" for the area showing as much.

 

[ParkerChris]

The large L-shaped lot located across A Street from Wormwood Park (bordered by A Street, Necco St, the FP Channel and Gillette) is owned by Gillette. It was used as a dry dock to build tunnel sections in, which could then be floated into the Fort Point Channel. But the State only took a temporary construction easement. They paid Gillette a shitload of money and then repaved it for Gillette before returning it to them as a parking lot around 2004.
The lot is slated for both buildings and a park. Sicilian has posted maps of the "master plan" for the area showing as much.

Thanks for the info. I've seen the master plan, just wondering when we will see some progress. Sounds like its anyone's guess given the circumstances of the lots.

 

[JohnAKeith]

New loft apartments at 381 Congress Street.

 

[brucepf]

http://www.boston.com/real-estate/news/2013/09/24/congress/gtE7QfP2dLFCyQCf9Wf5oM/story.html

Neighborhood buzz is that the parking lot at Farnsworth and Congress has been sold to a condo developer that is seeking to put something up along the lines of 6-8 stories.

Gate Residential LLC submitted documents to the Boston Redevelopment Authority indicating it wants to build 40 residences with a ground-floor restaurant or other retail store at 338 Congress St. The property is currently used as a parking lot.

If approved, the project would be the latest of several new residential buildings in the neighborhood. The Fort Point Channel, along with the broader South Boston Innovation District, has attracted construction of scores of new homes in recent months.

The project proposed by Gate Residential will require zoning relief, although the company’s filing indicates it is designed to be consistent with guidelines to preserve the historic character of the neighborhood.

The Fort Point Channel is filled with turn-of-the-century brick warehouses and factories that have made it an appealing destination for new residents, artists, and a broad array of companies.

The company indicated that it intends to submit more detailed plans for the Congress Street proposal to the BRA in October.

Casey Ross can be reached at casey.ross@globe.com.

http://www.boston.com/real-estate/news/2013/09/24/congress/gtE7QfP2dLFCyQCf9Wf5oM/story.html

 

[kz1000ps]