Millennium Tower (Filene's) -Discussion and Photo Thread

[datadyne007]

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

I obviously haven't seen it in person so I can't say how bad it truly is but an abundance of cars out front could be construed as a good thing in that there are actual residents coming and going. We all feared that this was going to be a barely utilized parking lot for overseas wealth.

Who thought this and why would they think that? Most of us saw the ridiculous porte-cochere in the plans and feared this exact situation - filled with cars.

 

[DZH22]

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

Well you sound really nice......

I actually can be, but if you're going to argue with me just understand that I am coming out guns a blazing. It isn't personal. I want to win (the argument) and will demoralize anybody who stands in my way, if that's what it takes.

.....and I imagine we'd have a great time getting a beer together.

I pretty much don't drink anymore. Otherwise it probably could have been a good time. Unfortunately (or fortunately) 2007 DZH22 isn't walking through that door!

 

[Coyote137]

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

It's one thing if the cars parked in front of MT have nothing to do with MT or its residents, but another thing altogether if they do. Because as far as I understand it, the area in front of Franklin St. that you speak of has been designed and is being used for MT. I believe the building is valet-only. Residents and guests can not self-park into the garage and must call down to have their cars brought out as well. I imagine there are also various vehicles bringing services, deliveries, etc. to the building that are being temporarily parked there as well.

The fact that there are "so many cars parked" there could just be indication that the space is indeed needed and is being used as intended.

That may irk you as a pedestrian, but with all due respect, you don't live there. Aesthetics of the vehicle pile up aside, the street is still public and nothing prevents anyone from using it on foot.

Fine, but the residents and their valets need to learn what a stop sign is. That would certainly improve the situation.

 

[jl326]

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

Fine, but the residents and their valets need to learn what a stop sign is. That would certainly improve the situation.

Oh for sure, and that should apply to everyone and everywhere, whether it be cars, mopeds, bicycles, etc.

 

[Justin7]

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

...if you're going to argue with me just understand that I am coming out guns a blazing. It isn't personal. I want to win (the argument) and will demoralize anybody who stands in my way, if that's what it takes.

This is pretty obvious, but it's weird that you admit it so readily. I doubt you'll take my advice, but here it is anyway: Instead of focusing on "winning" the argument, perhaps attempt to understand where the other side is coming from. Open your mind. You may learn something.

 

[dwash59]

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

I obviously haven't seen it in person so I can't say how bad it truly is but an abundance of cars out front could be construed as a good thing in that there are actual residents coming and going. We all feared that this was going to be a barely utilized parking lot for overseas wealth.

Who thought this and why would they think that? Most of us saw the ridiculous porte-cochere in the plans and feared this exact situation - filled with cars.

The Globe certainly has continued to try to push the narrative that MT is just a building for foreigners (primarily chinese) to park their wealth and that no one lives there... despite all evidence to the contrary.

 

[JeffDowntown]

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

The Globe certainly has continued to try to push the narrative that MT is just a building for foreigners (primarily chinese) to park their wealth and that no one lives there... despite all evidence to the contrary.

Yes, that is a pretty shallow narrative, considering I watch the building in the evening as lights come on all over the place.

 

[bigpicture7]

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

The Globe certainly has continued to try to push the narrative that MT is just a building for foreigners (primarily chinese) to park their wealth and that no one lives there... despite all evidence to the contrary.

I'm becoming more and more convinced that The Globe is becoming fixated on a very one-dimentional business model: tossing fresh meat to its most dedicated reader base, the angry old-guard who troll the comments sections and complain about anything new going on in this city.

 

[FenwayResident]

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

I'm becoming more and more convinced that The Globe is becoming fixated on a very one-dimentional business model: tossing fresh meat to its most dedicated reader base, the angry old-guard who troll the comments sections and complain about anything new going on in this city.

Not only are they dedicated readers, they are probably the ones paying the bills as well.

 

[bigpicture7]

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

Not only are they dedicated readers, they are probably the ones paying the bills as well.

I don't disagree, but selling people what they want to hear is a sketchy way to run a news business (clears throat)...

 

[JumboBuc]

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

This narrative isn't present only in the Globe or among the "angry old-guard". Plenty of my young, progressive, millennial friends who never read traditional media discount the effect that new condo buildings have on overall housing availability by casting them aside as just "empty buildings for Chinese billionaires". You even hear this logic applied to apartment buildings, which by their nature cannot possibly be used by tenants to store wealth.

This is all despite the fact that all evidence shows that the vast majority of new condo units in Boston are occupied by "locals" of one form or another.

A lot of people have a lot of difficulty admitting that the Greater Boston area is chock full of well-paid workers and well-off retirees who can easily afford dropping a million-plus on a condo. They've convinced themselves that everything is doom and gloom, and when the local building boom provides evidence against their narrative they explain it away with phantom "Chinese billionaires".

 

[odurandina]

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

The also can't accept the 'moving up' reverse domino effect that luxury highrises not only use the least amount of available land, but create vacancies at all levels of the marketplace. Are they disingenuous assholes or just totally galactically stupid?

 

[FenwayResident]

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

This narrative isn't present only in the Globe or among the "angry old-guard". Plenty of my young, progressive, millennial friends who never read traditional media discount the effect that new condo buildings have on overall housing availability by casting them aside as just "empty buildings for Chinese billionaires". You even hear this logic applied to apartment buildings, which by their nature cannot possibly be used by tenants to store wealth.

This is all despite the fact that all evidence shows that the vast majority of new condo units in Boston are occupied by "locals" of one form or another.

A lot of people have a lot of difficulty admitting that the Greater Boston area is chock full of well-paid workers and well-off retirees who can easily afford dropping a million-plus on a condo. They've convinced themselves that everything is doom and gloom, and when the local building boom provides evidence against their narrative they explain it away with phantom "Chinese billionaires".

Yeah, I've had similar experiences among my group of friends. There are tons of positions in Boston paying well into six figures. Finance, legal, pharma, healthcare, education (administration/professors), and tech are the ones that immediately come to mind.

For a couple with each person making $100k-$200k, a million-dollar condo isn't that crazy to afford. But it's easier to blame Chinese billionaires than a lack of supply, a multitude of high-paying jobs, and one's inability to secure said jobs.

 

[jl326]

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

The also can't accept the 'moving up' reverse domino effect that luxury highrises not only use the least amount of available land, but create vacancies at all levels of the marketplace. Are they disingenuous assholes or just totally galactically stupid?

Hmm.. Why not both?

Yeah, I've had similar experiences among my group of friends. There are tons of positions in Boston paying well into six figures. Finance, legal, pharma, healthcare, education (administration/professors), and tech are the ones that immediately come to mind.

For a couple with each person making $100k-$200k, a million-dollar condo isn't that crazy to afford. But it's easier to blame Chinese billionaires than a lack of supply, a multitude of high-paying jobs, and one's inability to secure said jobs.

Not only that, but I do know of instances where local developers have expressed their preference to be that their condos are purchased by those who intend to spend at least a reasonable amount of time per year there and/or those who have some roots locally. Of course, if push comes to shove, the almighty dollar wins, but the intent of some of these luxury developments can been seen in how the marketing and is focused more locally or regionally so long as the demand exists.

 

[atlantaden]

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

Uhm, it's not just the Globe commentators who toss out snarky remarks about those living in the new luxury towers like the Millenium, it happens here on this forum at times. Snide
remarks casually tossed out, comments seem especially directed, many times, at those living in or hanging out in the Seaport and patronizing some of the higher end restaurants, as well as future patrons of Wynn's casino. Also, derisive comments made towards residents of some of the poorer areas of the city and neighboring towns where new development is spreading, wondering who would move there in such an area.

 

[carpet]

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

It's one thing if the cars parked in front of MT have nothing to do with MT or its residents, but another thing altogether if they do. Because as far as I understand it, the area in front of Franklin St. that you speak of has been designed and is being used for MT. I believe the building is valet-only. Residents and guests can not self-park into the garage and must call down to have their cars brought out as well. I imagine there are also various vehicles bringing services, deliveries, etc. to the building that are being temporarily parked there as well.

The building is valet, but not exclusively valet. Residents can drive their cars into the garage and give the keys to valet there and take an additional "rear" non-loading elevator (good for those who don't want to be seen by the rest of the residents).

And on a separate note to those who think this building is empty and just a place for Chinese to "park" their wealth, I happen to be in a building at least twice a week and I see people coming and going every 2-3 minutes. Very few families, but a lot of younger crowd.

 

[LH421]

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

There are a number of listings in the building that have been active for 90+ days and are priced around pre-construction prices and marginally above what the sellers paid, suggesting people are looking to get out at what they put into the unit. Overall things seem to be off to a great start, but I definitely get the sense much of the pent up demand has been met.

 

[DZH22]

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

IMG_6643 by David Z, on Flickr

 

[kz1000ps]

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

Can't go wrong with Robbins Farm Park

 

[DZH22]

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

Can't go wrong with Robbins Farm Park

Nice shots. I was just there yesterday! (and literally every week at some point after work) That place has been a constant in my life for 34 years and counting. Been going since I was 1, and now my kids can say the same thing!

For anybody who hasn't been, I recommend it. (x 1000!)

18664487_10100736065391353_5950183015221885512_n by David Z, on Flickr