Tombstoner
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2010
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It is just super that it will look nice in one of theose coffee table picture books. i agree, it will photograph quite beautifully.
But I'm sorry, cca, the Ferdinand a pretty bad analogy.
The Ferdinand actively ENGAGES Dudley Square at street level. It makes its area better.
So far, this project shows no inkling of doing anything close to what the Ferdinand does.
If it engaged the pedestrian and helped make Boston a more livable city, THEN it can be put in the Ferdinand category. Right now, this is just a "look at me" style fortress. But, obviously, the book isn't fully written yet and I hope it develops more towards its environs.
Boston is hot as a pistol right now. There is no reason why the Mayor and BRA simply don't condition approvals based on ground floor engagement/retail.
Would that all the NIMBYs worry as much about the GROUND FLOOR as they do about the TOP FLOOR.
I think the same problem exists with the nice new academic buildings along Huntington--with no ground activation some of the best new buildings in Boston fail to have the impact they could on their neighboring community.