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Two tower cranes at this site.


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I fully expect that whatever the final approved massing models are will be the buildings. Why the heck can't MIT, of all folks, afford to implement a design that has more than one building per block?
I know in Washington there are more than a few people who want out of high-rise residential because they fear contagion from sharing elevators, common spaces, corridors, etc. There is a sense of not being able to control one's environment, and being reliant on others to be socially responsible.Living in the city during the pandemic I, more than ever, appreciate green space. I wonder if the shifting preferences are impacting the plans here.
The $750 million is not the net price for this property. MIT gets to deduct the cost of Volpe, so if 'new' Volpe costs $350 million, the cost to MIT for the rest is $400 million.I attended the community meeting this evening and, luckily, none of the massing/heights are final. I did inquire about the massing currently maxing out at 382 ft. vs. the 500 ft. maximum in the zoning and they said that the number of units in a 500-foot residential building would be a lot to bring to the market at once. I am sure the area could fill it, but whether or not it could do so profitably is another question. It still boggles my mind that MIT paid $750 million for this land, is building the new Volpe structure, has contributed so much to the community funds, and can still make this entire site profitable. All of that said, I am really inspired by everything they're taking into consideration. I wish they could get these other parcels going before finishing the government building in 2023.
Absolutely hilarious that there would be "too many units" brought to the market if they did 500 ft here. Cambridge prices are continually spiralling up and rival Back Bay in Kendall. Cambridge needs to push residential density here (they won't).I attended the community meeting this evening and, luckily, none of the massing/heights are final. I did inquire about the massing currently maxing out at 382 ft. vs. the 500 ft. maximum in the zoning and they said that the number of units in a 500-foot residential building would be a lot to bring to the market at once. I am sure the area could fill it, but whether or not it could do so profitably is another question. It still boggles my mind that MIT paid $750 million for this land, is building the new Volpe structure, has contributed so much to the community funds, and can still make this entire site profitable. All of that said, I am really inspired by everything they're taking into consideration. I wish they could get these other parcels going before finishing the government building in 2023.
Absolutely hilarious that there would be "too many units" brought to the market if they did 500 ft here. Cambridge prices are continually spiralling up and rival Back Bay in Kendall. Cambridge needs to push residential density here (they won't).