Millennium Tower (Filene's) | 426 Washington Street | Downtown

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Re: Filene's

Ron, are you refering to my '600ft ain't happening guys.' quote?

I didn't mean I wasn't in favor of 600ft, just that I thought it was very unlikely to happen. Mostly because of this:

BosDevelop said:
I wouldn't be shocked to see them propose it 5-10 stories higher than what they need just in case someone comes out of the woodwork to oppose the height as "out of scale with the 'neighborhood.'"
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Re: Filene's

It says the tower will be thinner... that could mean more height, with a better 'soaring' effect as well as avoid the shadows on the common.

Plus this thing was announced with the mayor, i imagine this is how the convo went.

Millenium: Mayor, we want to build Filenes but need to get to 600ft to make the economics work, would that be ok??

Mayor: Sure, that way not only can this move forward, but the hassle with Suffolk Downs will be cut at the knees and I can get a tower and a casino. Super Mayor AWWWWWWWWWWAAYY
 
Re: Filene's

IMO, the Mayuh has blessed 600 feet. The BRA will genuflect, the height NIMBYs will scurry. The overall sq footage will be similar to what was approved originally; the project will just be taller and skinnier, a la Simon's new tower at Copley Place.
 
Re: Filene's

I hope I'm wrong and y'all are right.
 
Re: Filene's

choo said:
...
Mayor: Sure, that way not only can this move forward, but the hassle with Suffolk Downs will be cut at the knees and I can get a tower and a casino. Super Mayor AWWWWWWWWWWAAYY
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I just got an awful image in my mind of the Mayor in tight spandex.

But if that's the price I have to pay for filling in the Hole, so be it.
 
Re: Filene's

Question.

If they developer had proposed to build something on the site in Burnham's style that matched the cornice line and promised to use the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, would you be happy with that?
 
Re: Filene's

statler said:
Question.

If they developer had proposed to build something on the site in Burnham's style that matched the cornice line and promised to use the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, would you be happy with that?
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Yes, most certainly, as long as it had vibrant street retail opportunities. The context and meaning of the context (Burnham's final project - Filene's) is certainly enough to justify only a 9-story building to abut the property. The only difference in the end to how the average pedestrian would experience it is 30-stories towering above you when you're on the street. If you haven't noticed, I'm a fan of the European city model.
 
Re: Filene's

Wow! This is great news. A building as tall as the Federal Reserve Tower and mixed use. This is the spark that DTX needs.
 
Re: Filene's

In New York Vornado tears down the Alexander department store and does nothing till he get a better deal from the city. In Boston Vornado tears down Filenes and the does nothing. Latter the city let's him and his 'fig leaf' partner build a building that is 20% higher than the one approved.
 
Re: Filene's

^^^^
Roth owns the Mayor...........Roth is the smartest man in the room. Everyone else is just sheep.
 
Re: Filene's

PaulC said:
In New York Vornado tears down the Alexander department store and does nothing till he get a better deal from the city. In Boston Vornado tears down Filenes and the does nothing. Latter the city let's him and his 'fig leaf' partner build a building that is 20% higher than the one approved.
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I can't tell if this is a 'whoo hoo!' or a complaint.
 
Re: Filene's

I'm glad it's going forward, i'm glad it's going to be higher. But I think this is a face saving for both Menino and Vornado. I'm also willing to believe that it was the economy that delayed this project.

The real/big winner is Boston.
 
Re: Filene's

I think much/any taller than it was before could cast shadows on the common....
 
Re: Filene's

Can someone explain why that one random section of building is there on the Franklin Street side of the site? Was it meant to be saved or was demo just halted before they got to it?
 
Re: Filene's

A lot of people didn't think the Copley Place tower would get approved for over 600', but it did.

I think they'll get what they want here unless the shadow law gets in the way.
 
Re: Filene's

The façade at the Franklin and Hawley corner was saved because it is historically protected. It's older than the main Filene's building.
 
Re: Filene's

I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see this get approved at 700 feet. Since the death of Winthrop Square, all development eyes have been focused on this hole.

Yes, there are NIMBYs. Yes there is a supposed rule that you're not supposed to cast shadows on the Common...

...but if Menino has blessed this site, there's absolutely nothing that will stop it. I 100% believe in that.

I actually have acquired a video of negotiations taking place between a Millenium Partners Bounty Hunter and Menino with his BRA droid:

I'm pretty sure credits = feet and Chewbacca = Vornado.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpX2du-_8BY

25000 credits = 500 feet, 50000 = 1000 feet, 35000 = 700 feet. I think I've translated this properly, so I think it's official: 700 feet.

(By some odd coincidence, that math is actually accurate if you apply it proportionally)
 
Re: Filene's

question for the experts...will they be able to contain the construction within the current barrier or will the open streets be impacted?
 
Re: Filene's

I'm confused. What cement monster? I'm having reader's block. The Woolworth's garage? The BB&T building? What?
 
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