Millennium Tower (Filene's) | 426 Washington Street | Downtown
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Re: Filene's
The design is only in DD. It'll take a year (with FastTrack) for the CD set to be produced.
The design is only in DD. It'll take a year (with FastTrack) for the CD set to be produced.
BosDevelop
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Re: Filene's
They haven't been doing engineering the last 6+ months since they took over the project? Just seems like a long time. Maybe I am just impatient for this thing to get started because I have a pretty nice view of the construction site from my office window.
They haven't been doing engineering the last 6+ months since they took over the project? Just seems like a long time. Maybe I am just impatient for this thing to get started because I have a pretty nice view of the construction site from my office window.
resisttheist
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commuter guy
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Re: Filene's
No your not alone. Current design appears to be your typical unelegant, unimaginative and bland glass tower. I'm lamenting the change of massing of the base portion compared to the old design.
It will be good to see some vitality replaced in this corner of downtown crossing and I guess I kind of agree about keeping the Burnham building separate, but good grief this design looks like something a 7 year old could draw up in 15 minutes. Very plain vanilla. I find some largerly glass building to be quite striking, but this doesn't appear to be one of them. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised, but I not too hopeful at this point given the BRA's recent track record on design outcomes and the "rush to fill the hole" sense of urgency.
No your not alone. Current design appears to be your typical unelegant, unimaginative and bland glass tower. I'm lamenting the change of massing of the base portion compared to the old design.
It will be good to see some vitality replaced in this corner of downtown crossing and I guess I kind of agree about keeping the Burnham building separate, but good grief this design looks like something a 7 year old could draw up in 15 minutes. Very plain vanilla. I find some largerly glass building to be quite striking, but this doesn't appear to be one of them. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised, but I not too hopeful at this point given the BRA's recent track record on design outcomes and the "rush to fill the hole" sense of urgency.
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Re: Filene's
Sorry for the arch jargon.
SD = Schematic Design > "Presentation drawings"
DD = Design Development > Drawings for approvals including city and client satisfaction, may or may not have structural grid system
CD = Contract/Construction Documents > Bid sets, fully noted, full structural grid, specs to provide qualitative information
FastTrack = Construction Administration technique where documents are produced while construction is happening. For example, arch fit-out drawings can be completed while the Shell & Core are going up. For a FastTrack project, the critical drawings to start are the Site & Structural Engineering sets. As joked last night, there's no demo either lol...
*They also do not have the Construction Management plan (crane locations, road access, etc) finalized. That needs to be submitted and approved by the city before anything can happen.
I'm also really excited that the tower will be 52 stories of concrete frame epicness. We'll get to see some awesome slipform construction occur over the next few years.
Sorry for the arch jargon.
SD = Schematic Design > "Presentation drawings"
DD = Design Development > Drawings for approvals including city and client satisfaction, may or may not have structural grid system
CD = Contract/Construction Documents > Bid sets, fully noted, full structural grid, specs to provide qualitative information
FastTrack = Construction Administration technique where documents are produced while construction is happening. For example, arch fit-out drawings can be completed while the Shell & Core are going up. For a FastTrack project, the critical drawings to start are the Site & Structural Engineering sets. As joked last night, there's no demo either lol...
*They also do not have the Construction Management plan (crane locations, road access, etc) finalized. That needs to be submitted and approved by the city before anything can happen.
I'm also really excited that the tower will be 52 stories of concrete frame epicness. We'll get to see some awesome slipform construction occur over the next few years.
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Re: Filene's
I think the building that this should truly be on is whatever gets built at Winthrop Square. Supposedly that one will eventually be the tallest in downtown.
I think the building that this should truly be on is whatever gets built at Winthrop Square. Supposedly that one will eventually be the tallest in downtown.
AmericanFolkLegend
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Re: Filene's
Tough to do when you're building residential. I totally agree it would be nice (and perfect central location) but no-one wants to be jockeying with tourists to get back to their $$luxury$$ condo.
Tough to do when you're building residential. I totally agree it would be nice (and perfect central location) but no-one wants to be jockeying with tourists to get back to their $$luxury$$ condo.
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Re: Filene's
Meh, a dedicated express elevator for the observation deck would do the trick. They could even make it scenic. That would be sweet.
Meh, a dedicated express elevator for the observation deck would do the trick. They could even make it scenic. That would be sweet.
Beton Brut
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Re: Filene's
Jeanne Gang, please come to Boston:
...like some other posters I regret that it couldn't have been something with a bit of daring or architectural interest. Looks like a glass slab taking up space in the skyline without the Hancock's elegance. Another "something is better than nothing" project.
Jeanne Gang, please come to Boston:
tobyjug
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Re: Filene's
Would the 625' be to the ceiling of the highest occupied floor, so another 30' to 50' of mechanicals?
I always hated the "saddlebag" effect on the original. Hope the street level departs from the usual Millenium sterility.
Would the 625' be to the ceiling of the highest occupied floor, so another 30' to 50' of mechanicals?
I always hated the "saddlebag" effect on the original. Hope the street level departs from the usual Millenium sterility.
Tombstoner
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Re: Filene's
+1
Or "New York" by Gehry.
Very few opportunities on this scale come Boston's way--when we do have this opportunity, THIS is the best we can do?
Again--it's nice to fill a hole, but since you're filling the hole, why not make a statement (other than "we're filling a hole here, folks...nothing to see...keep moving...")?
+1
Or "New York" by Gehry.
Very few opportunities on this scale come Boston's way--when we do have this opportunity, THIS is the best we can do?
Again--it's nice to fill a hole, but since you're filling the hole, why not make a statement (other than "we're filling a hole here, folks...nothing to see...keep moving...")?
dshoost88
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Re: Filene's
If you have such an issue with the project design, then what's your excuse for neither attending the public input meeting(s) nor speaking in opposition of this project at the BRA hearing on Thursday night?
Believe it or not, there are developers and planners that listen to the community. If I had any doubts my opinions were meaningless, I wouldn't attend all the BRA hearings and task force meetings I go to, let alone chime in to archboston.org for the whole Internet to see.
If you have such an issue with the project design, then what's your excuse for neither attending the public input meeting(s) nor speaking in opposition of this project at the BRA hearing on Thursday night?
Believe it or not, there are developers and planners that listen to the community. If I had any doubts my opinions were meaningless, I wouldn't attend all the BRA hearings and task force meetings I go to, let alone chime in to archboston.org for the whole Internet to see.
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Re: Filene's
Also the design of the tower was essentially dictated by wind studies. Given the current configuration of the streets and buildings in this area, a SLEW of tower designs failed wind testing miserably (including One Franklin - it still had areas of dangerous wind right until the day it died). This design is actually VERY site-specific. It's the only shape that would actually pass.
I think this whole call for a starchitect or gimmicky starchitect-y building is ridiculous as well. It's all about cost and ROI.
Also the design of the tower was essentially dictated by wind studies. Given the current configuration of the streets and buildings in this area, a SLEW of tower designs failed wind testing miserably (including One Franklin - it still had areas of dangerous wind right until the day it died). This design is actually VERY site-specific. It's the only shape that would actually pass.
I think this whole call for a starchitect or gimmicky starchitect-y building is ridiculous as well. It's all about cost and ROI.
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Tombstoner
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Re: Filene's
My excuse is that I am in Nampula, Mozambique at the moment (pretty good excuse, actually). That said, I have to honestly acknowledge that I doubt I would have attended if I were home as I don't think anyone really changes minds at these sorts of events. As others have reported, it was basically a cake-walk for the developer. Once the pieces are in place politically, do you really think voices not liking the design are going to be heard? Yeah, I'm cynical. I'm old.
Voicing dislike on this forum is just that--I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. I just think this design is a missed opportunity. I realize no one is laying awake nights worrying about what I think.
My excuse is that I am in Nampula, Mozambique at the moment (pretty good excuse, actually). That said, I have to honestly acknowledge that I doubt I would have attended if I were home as I don't think anyone really changes minds at these sorts of events. As others have reported, it was basically a cake-walk for the developer. Once the pieces are in place politically, do you really think voices not liking the design are going to be heard? Yeah, I'm cynical. I'm old.
Voicing dislike on this forum is just that--I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. I just think this design is a missed opportunity. I realize no one is laying awake nights worrying about what I think.
commuter guy
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Re: Filene's
I appreciate the sentiment that people should attend these types of meetings to voice their opinions. I have attended BRA meetings in the past. Most memorable was the time a number archboston people, particularly, Itchy, practically hijacked a BRA meeting re: the proposed demolition (and redevelopment) of the Shreve Crump and Low building! It seemed to raise awareness of the pitfalls of the project, but, as expected, the BRA still remains dead set allowing the Druker's plan to proceed as is.
I can't make this upcoming meeting on Filenes due to conflicts. Given development is on the uptick and popping up all over Boston, it would be comforting if the BRA which is our city planning agency actually had some rigorous and adequate design review in place. The crap that gets the green light is astonishing. Simple stuff like tweaking projects to improve streetwall treatment and interaction seems to be just flat out neglected. This has been pointed out by Briv et. al., throughout the various threads.
I'd drive myself crazy running around attending all these BRA meetings trying to pick up the slack where leadership from the BRA is lacking. For example, I believe it was Sicilian who indicated that after years of continually participating in BRA meetings trying to guide and encourage development in the Fort Point neighborhood, the actively engaged neighborhood is weary and disillusioned with the BRA.
I appreciate the sentiment that people should attend these types of meetings to voice their opinions. I have attended BRA meetings in the past. Most memorable was the time a number archboston people, particularly, Itchy, practically hijacked a BRA meeting re: the proposed demolition (and redevelopment) of the Shreve Crump and Low building! It seemed to raise awareness of the pitfalls of the project, but, as expected, the BRA still remains dead set allowing the Druker's plan to proceed as is.
I can't make this upcoming meeting on Filenes due to conflicts. Given development is on the uptick and popping up all over Boston, it would be comforting if the BRA which is our city planning agency actually had some rigorous and adequate design review in place. The crap that gets the green light is astonishing. Simple stuff like tweaking projects to improve streetwall treatment and interaction seems to be just flat out neglected. This has been pointed out by Briv et. al., throughout the various threads.
I'd drive myself crazy running around attending all these BRA meetings trying to pick up the slack where leadership from the BRA is lacking. For example, I believe it was Sicilian who indicated that after years of continually participating in BRA meetings trying to guide and encourage development in the Fort Point neighborhood, the actively engaged neighborhood is weary and disillusioned with the BRA.
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