Here's the source (probably a few pages back) where it is announced to be 495 ft tall, all the way from September.
Filene's project to feature a high-rise
Condos, offices, hotel, stores part of plan in Downtown Crossing
By Thomas C. Palmer Jr., Globe Staff | September 29, 2006
The buyers of the historic Filene's property in downtown Boston are proposing to build a modern 38-story tower over the four-building complex that would include brand-name retailers, luxury condos, a hotel, and office space.
Developers John B. Hynes III and Vornado Realty Trust are expected to file plans today for a $620 million project that would be filled with upscale shopping destinations, high-dollar business space, and tony residences, which Mayor Thomas M. Menino enthusiastically predicted yesterday would transform the sometimes gritty Downtown Crossing area.
``It will begin a new chapter in the life of Downtown Crossing," Menino said.
Hynes, the partnership's local developer, did not return a call seeking comment.
Vornado recently signed an agreement to buy the Filene's block from Federated Department Stores Inc., for about $100 million, and separately struck a deal with Hynes to jointly redevelop the site.
Hynes is president of Gale International and developer of the successful One Lincoln Street office tower downtown.
Vornado is a huge national retail center developer based in New York. It recently reached a deal with Boston developer John E. Drew to build Waterside Place, a proposed residential, retail, and supermarket complex on the South Boston Waterfront.
Federated, which operates Macy's stores, retired the Filene's name after purchasing its parent company last year and brought the retail operations under the Macy's brand.
The Filene's property includes four buildings of various ages, including the original 1912 department store on Summer Street. Designed by Daniel Burnham, it was designated as a local landmark in May by the Boston Landmarks Commission. The designation means the building must be substantially preserved.
Susan Elsbree, a spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, said the original Filene's and a second older building would be restored in detail. ``This is downtown's most significant historic preservation ever," she said.
Under the plan to be submitted, the team appears to be moving quickly to do a thorough restoration of the 1912 building, preserve a 1905 structure on the opposite corner at Franklin and Hawley streets, tear down the two more recent buildings, and erect a tower 495 feet high.
The tower would contain much of the new complex's 500,000 square feet of office space and would be topped by condos with sweeping views.
Filene's Basement has a long-term lease in the complex and would be guaranteed renovated space on three below-ground levels. The Basement is a separate company that was independent of Filene's.
Menino also reacted positively to earlier reports that the developers are pursuing the retailer Target for the project, as well as an upscale grocer -- two tenants the mayor said are crucial to improving the retail climate in Downtown Crossing.
``This will give energy to other people who own property in the neighborhood to invest in them," Menino said. ``It will really be a catalyst for a lot of things."
Target did not return a call seeking comment.
Of the 1.2 million square feet of development, about 180,000 would be devoted to retail, in keeping with city officials' desire to see more shopping opportunities downtown.
``Vornado specializes in multistory retail, which is one of the reasons we were overjoyed to have them at Downtown Crossing," Elsbree said.
The development would also have 140 residences, 20 of them at below-market prices, a boutique hotel with 207 rooms, and a health club and spa.
Menino said Vornado is interested in securing permits soon, so the company can get construction going. ``I've met with Vornado, and they're ready to go," he said. ``They want to go out and start construction next year."
