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

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The last day of Filene's Basement will be this Monday, according to both signs and people working there today.

The lowest level of the Basement is already closed, and the whole place feels really picked over. Probably not worth the trip unless you're very nostalgic or have some other reason to be in the area.

This sure has been a long goodbye -- first the gradual closing of the main store, then the Basement (after it partially moved into the main store's first floor).
 
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I just walked by. It looked dead. Even outdoor clocks were stopped, to a few minutes before 9.
 
Do the chimes still sound? Will the 25-cent pay phones (labelled FILENE'S) be removed?
 
where are all the homeless people laying around i see there every day? Where will they hang out now during construction? a harvard square ATM lobby?
 
A homeless person just stopped me in Cambridge Common to ask if he could stay at my place because he had "a 10:30 appointment". So yeah.
 
9/19:

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Can you see my shadow?


You may be bothered by the homeless population in Downtown Crossing, but you can't say they are not polite! :D
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Filenes

A small team was putting up plywood over the Summer Street display windows today. I was able to look into one of the windows before the workers got to it. The inside of the old building looked like a bomb had gone off. Wires hanging everywhere, plaster, etc.
 
Filenes

I took a couple of photos inside Filenes at lunch time. The lighting was poor and the cloud of dust didn't help. If someone will post them for me, I would be happy to e-mail them along.[/img]
 
Here is the inside of Filenes yesterday at noon or so.



 
Some holes are stating to appear. I assume in preparation for demolition.

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And a bonus shot of the 45 Province St crane

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Re: Filene's

A Scott Van Voorhis article from today's Herald
The developer of a new Hub tower complex yesterday gave beleaguered Downtown Crossing an early Christmas present, saying he will delay demolition of part of the landmark Filene?s retail complex until after the holiday shopping season.

John Hynes, the local developer overseeing plans to build a $650 million office, condo and hotel high-rise complex next to the Filene?s building, said he will wait until January to begin taking down a pair of modern structures attached to the historic retail building.

Hynes said he had hoped to tear down in November the additions, tacked onto the 1912 Filene?s building in recent decades. But with the holiday shopping season fast approaching, Hynes said he is concerned about the disruption that would cause.

Hynes comments come as the struggling shopping district reels from the loss of Filene?s Basement, long the area?s top draw. The Basement will reopen in 2009 as part a redeveloped tower and shopping complex.

?Collectively we are taking a step back and saying ?wait a minute,? ? Hynes said.?We have to be mindful of the stores that are operating in Downtown Crossing and the last thing we need to do is hinder the shopping in that time of year.?

In particular, Hynes said the demolition process, and the construction that will follow, will require staging heavy equipment around the complex at the center of Downtown Crossing.

He said he is also concerned about the debris that would accompany the demoltion.

Work crews will now focus on internal demolition. After Jan. 1, demolition and construction will kick into high gear, Hynes said.
Click to expand...
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1041562
 
Re: Filene's

Wouldn't it be ironic if the ground store retail spaces won't be ready to open till Jan '11 instead on Oct/Nov '10 due to this delay.

Thanks for saving Christmas Mr Hynes. I'm looking forward to staring into the dark, black windows as I go about my Christmas shopping. ho.ho.ho.
 
Re: Filene's

well they finally put up coverings in front of the old storefronts on the Washington Street Side.
the old Greek Restaurant, the ice cream stand and lamberts.
 
Re: Filene's

nothing new to report. posters of the new building up on the first floor, I woulda got some pics, but too many people around it was nearly impossible. and i was absolutely terrified of the scary people here jesus christ they are scary transients. WATCH OUT.
 
Re: Filene's

There's really no reason to be scared of beggars. Just ignore them.
 
Re: Filene's

As of today, there are lengths of chain link fence running down Hawley St. next to the sidewalk. Looks like things are starting to move.
 
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