MIT Expansion Plans | MIT/Kendall Square | Cambridge

WOW. (About the storage closing.)

Sorry, nothing constructive to add!
 
Uncivil_Engineer said:
Unciv -- Bexley along with its neighbor on Mass Ave the "Arts-fartsy building" aka the domicilica of the late and unlamented [except for his name] Gyorgy Kepes -- they were always for decades considered to be "visual landfills" in need of condemnation -- so few will shed any tears

However this is the real story for the next few months -- from the MIT Capital Projects website:

http://capitalprojects.mit.edu/projects/metropolitan-warehouse

MIT is conducting a feasibility study to explore redevelopment of the Metropolitan Warehouse. If found to be feasible, the project will consist of residences, maker space, and collaborative space to provide a new hub for undergraduate residential life....

Originally designed by Peabody & Stearns and built in 1895, Met Warehouse is one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood. With its square brick tower, crenellated corbelled cornice, and small windows, it resembles a medieval castle on a city street corner. The repurposing and re-use of this building would preserve an iconic Cambridge landmark.

A feasibility study is underway to determine the viability of preserving the integrity of the historic architecture while creating within Met Warehouse student housing, maker space, collaborative space, and street-level retail space along Massachusetts Avenue. The proposed maker space would help MIT meet the increasing demand for hands-on learning opportunities, and the proposed residence would increase the housing capacity to support future on-campus dorm renovation projects. New gathering areas being considered within a proposed rooftop addition would provide dynamic space for residents and MIT community members to meet, socialize, and collaborate.

Given its central location and historic status, a redeveloped Met Warehouse would provide the MIT community with a unique and exciting hub of activity and student life.

MetWarehouse008684_CPcrop.jpg
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IMAGE CREDITS: Ensamble Studio, Melody Craven
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Proposed MIT buildings 2, 4 and 5 are uploaded into Emporis. Parcel C, building 3 and the NOMA project (1 Broadway residential) are still in review.
 
Cambridge is meekly pushing back against MIT on the Metropolitan Storage to dorms project:

In the council resolution passed Monday, the institute is asked to consider alternatives to ending its lease to the company or that “at the very least, MIT consider granting one year to allow Metropolitan Moving & Storage customers find alternative arrangements.”

“It’s just really extraordinary, and I’m really disappointed with how this was made known to people using the facility. I would ask that they cease and desist,” Simmons said. “I know folks are very much favoring that MIT house its students, and yes, they should, but in this regard, the way they’re doing it, it’s on the backs of other people, Cambridge residents for the most part.”
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http://www.cambridgeday.com/2015/09...lans-to-empty-replace-metropolitan-warehouse/
 
tangent said:
Windows too small and too few?
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Tangent -- appears to be combination of Met Warehouse on National Register and tight schedule to have new dorm open by 2018

New construction on MIT owned open land [my guess is the Westgate Parking Lot] is always easier and quicker

The Met warehouse however would be a great Maker Space and Wild and Crazy Incubator thanks to its massive concrete structure

WPI renovated an old mill building and then discovered that a number of the kinds of heavy tools couldn't be installed due to Fire Regs and the primarily wood timber construction
 
And probably all those thick walls and small windows make for good sound proofing. A maker space there, would make it a real center of campus activity. Very good move.
 
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