Plan Nubian Square Parcel P-3 (née Tremont Crossing) | Roxbury

[Equilibria]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

^ Ugh that does suck with all those cars. That area of Tremont is already a headache

I'm not sure how you implement a BJ's Wholesale Club without providing significant parking.

 

[citylover94]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

You would need some parking but I would think that 800 spots would be more than enough and that would be a 50% reduction. I just don't understand why they think with Ruggles so close that so many people will be driving. Obviously BJs works better for those with a car but most of the other stores aren't constrained in the same way and I wouldn't think that many residents or office workers would have cars or use them when it is so close to the orange line, commuter rail, and not a bad walk even from the green line. Plus all the bus routes that go to Ruggles.

 

[Shepard]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

Are the retail tenants they show in addition to BJs actually signed on?

Regal Cinemas? Caffe Nero? If so, this will really be a transformative project.

In terms of the parking, here's what I will say: if parking brings people here originally, and the development is successful, more people will venture here by T. Beyond the heart of Mission Hill, there's not really a sense that this area is anything other than a somewhat unsafe stretch on the outskirts of Northeastern. If parking will make it a destination to begin with, then so be it.

 

[nepatz11]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

best part of this project is the inclusion of museum space for NCAAA

Current museum is far off beaten path. 31000 square feet will b great addition to bostons cultural landscape

 

[JumboBuc]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

Are the retail tenants they show in addition to BJs actually signed on?

Regal Cinemas? Caffe Nero? If so, this will really be a transformative project.

I suspect not. From the presentation:

Retail tenants will include: BJ’s Wholesale Club, 8 screen cinema, pharmacy, clothing stores, health club, restaurants, boutiques…

If Regal and Nero were signed on they probably would have been named here. I'm not sure why they're using their names in the renders, though.

Also, if this comes to fruition it will make FOUR current under construction transit-oriented multi-building mixed-use development projects with movie theaters: Assembly Row, One Seaport Square, Hub on Causeway, and Tremont Crossing. This could be getting a bit out of hand...

 

[datadyne007]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

Some plans:

And another elevation:

 

[Reznor]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

Student housing would have to be affiliates with NEU. How realistic is this that they'd be building (or contract) another 800 student dorm? Is this just wishful thinking?

 

[datadyne007]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

Student housing would have to be affiliates with NEU. How realistic is this that they'd be building (or contract) another 800 student dorm? Is this just wishful thinking?

I think they're hedging on the student housing being the driver to actually get this thing approved.

 

[dshoost88]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

This project looks really exciting! Thanks for sharing the photos, data!

Student housing would have to be affiliates with NEU. How realistic is this that they'd be building (or contract) another 800 student dorm? Is this just wishful thinking?

I was prepared to ask this question to NU's Planning Department at tonight's task force meeting regarding the new Columbus Ave residence hall, but alas the meeting was cancelled thanks to the snow storm.

Based on what NU has said at recent community meetings, they are extremely interested in creating partnerships with private developers able and willing to create new student housing on or next to campus. If I had to guess, NU has likely been talking with Landmark (developer) all along about their willingness to have housing on this site. This would bode well for all parties, I would think.

 

[whighlander]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

Student housing would have to be affiliates with NEU. How realistic is this that they'd be building (or contract) another 800 student dorm? Is this just wishful thinking?

Rezor -- while NEU is obviously the "Big Dog in the Pack" being next door -- within about 1/2 mi there are at least 5 other Colleges including Wentworth, Mass Art, Mass Pharm, School of the MFA [now to be part of Tufts] and a bit further a multiplicity of collegiate entities including Harvard Med, Dental, School of Public Health

 

[timsox6]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

Also, if this comes to fruition it will make FOUR current under construction transit-oriented multi-building mixed-use development projects with movie theaters: Assembly Row, One Seaport Square, Hub on Causeway, and Tremont Crossing. This could be getting a bit out of hand...

I see it as probably changing the general character of the movie theater: instead of folks traveling a real distance to go to the movies, each of these will serve a clear group of local residents: One Seaport for people in the Seaport and Fort Point, Assembly Row for Assembly Square people and Boston's northern suburbs, Hub for people who are in the North Station area for entertainment generally, and this one on Tremont for Roxbury residents and-- notably-- the college crowd. Hopefully at least one of these will also develop some sort of specialty, i.e. classics or indies or festival-type movies.

 

[whighlander]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

I see it as probably changing the general character of the movie theater: instead of folks traveling a real distance to go to the movies, each of these will serve a clear group of local residents: One Seaport for people in the Seaport and Fort Point, Assembly Row for Assembly Square people and Boston's northern suburbs, Hub for people who are in the North Station area for entertainment generally, and this one on Tremont for Roxbury residents and-- notably-- the college crowd. Hopefully at least one of these will also develop some sort of specialty, i.e. classics or indies or festival-type movies.

Timsox --don't forget the Landmark in Kendall that specializes in those kinds of movies

 

[dshoost88]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

I see it as probably changing the general character of the movie theater: instead of folks traveling a real distance to go to the movies, each of these will serve a clear group of local residents: One Seaport for people in the Seaport and Fort Point, Assembly Row for Assembly Square people and Boston's northern suburbs, Hub for people who are in the North Station area for entertainment generally, and this one on Tremont for Roxbury residents and-- notably-- the college crowd. Hopefully at least one of these will also develop some sort of specialty, i.e. classics or indies or festival-type movies.

RE new movie theaters (an area datadyne007 will confirm I am well-versed in), the trend with new movie theaters is fewer seats and a more relaxed atmosphere. Assembly Row was one of the first locally to have La-Z-Boy-style seats in all screens, which seat half as many people as a traditionally-sized screen. Regal Fenway has recently undergone a similar conversion. Their smallest screens use to sit 100 people... now they seat closer to 48 patrons each. As someone that's studied crowd reactions and behavior at the cineplex, I can attest that people seem willing to shell out more money for a night at the theater when they have the comfier seats, alcoholic beverages, and more premium foods (which is where these theaters make their money in the first place).

ArcLight at the Hub on Causeway and Showcase at Seaport Square will definitely be in this vein, and definitely fulfill demand for that kind of experience downtown. Regal Fenway is set to lose a couple of their largest screens when the Wegmans redevelopment of Landmark Center begins, so it is not surprising at all if they are looking to partner with Tremont Crossing for another 8 screens. And, finally, I think I recall reading something about a theater going in at South Bay Center's redevelopment--right?

It might seem like a glut of new theaters, but the reality is that--like our hotel market--Boston theaters average some of the highest ticket sales per screen in the country. Developers and planners are finally beginning to catch up with market realities that people are ready for new movie theaters in the area. And they're being much smarter about where they're building them... I think every single new theater is within 1/4 mile of a "T" stop, which is remarkable!

 

[fattony]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

RE new movie theaters (an area datadyne007 will confirm I am well-versed in), the trend with new movie theaters is fewer seats and a more relaxed atmosphere. Assembly Row was one of the first locally to have La-Z-Boy-style seats in all screens, which seat half as many people as a traditionally-sized screen. Regal Fenway has recently undergone a similar conversion. Their smallest screens use to sit 100 people... now they seat closer to 48 patrons each. As someone that's studied crowd reactions and behavior at the cineplex, I can attest that people seem willing to shell out more money for a night at the theater when they have the comfier seats, alcoholic beverages, and more premium foods (which is where these theaters make their money in the first place).

ArcLight at the Hub on Causeway and Showcase at Seaport Square will definitely be in this vein, and definitely fulfill demand for that kind of experience downtown. Regal Fenway is set to lose a couple of their largest screens when the Wegmans redevelopment of Landmark Center begins, so it is not surprising at all if they are looking to partner with Tremont Crossing for another 8 screens. And, finally, I think I recall reading something about a theater going in at South Bay Center's redevelopment--right?

It might seem like a glut of new theaters, but the reality is that--like our hotel market--Boston theaters average some of the highest ticket sales per screen in the country. Developers and planners are finally beginning to catch up with market realities that people are ready for new movie theaters in the area. And they're being much smarter about where they're building them... I think every single new theater is within 1/4 mile of a "T" stop, which is remarkable!

You would probably know more about industry trends/sentiment as well, but I seem to recall falling revenue and predictions of the end of theaters just a few years ago. Obviously the collapse of home video rental did not bring down the theater industry as well, so they are feeling safe to invest in new openings again for the first time in a long while.

 

[TomOfBoston]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

I thought that the new Whittier Street health center was on the corner of this site.

 

[datadyne007]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

I thought that the new Whittier Street health center was on the corner of this site.

It's a neighbor.

 

[TomOfBoston]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

Thanks! Northeastern will benefit from having this as a neighbor, especially if the retail materializes as proposed.

 

[dirtywater]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

ArcLight at the Hub on Causeway and Showcase at Seaport Square will definitely be in this vein, and definitely fulfill demand for that kind of experience downtown. Regal Fenway is set to lose a couple of their largest screens when the Wegmans redevelopment of Landmark Center begins, so it is not surprising at all if they are looking to partner with Tremont Crossing for another 8 screens. And, finally, I think I recall reading something about a theater going in at South Bay Center's redevelopment--right?

Dshoost, thanks for your post. One small correction. The cinema going into Seaport Square is not a Showcase, but a ShowPlace ICON Theater which currently has theaters located in Chicago, Minneapolis and Secaucus. They are apparently in the process of rolling out their luxury brand in major markets across the country. Another one is scheduled to go in Westfield, and they have announced plans for theaters in the DC and San Francisco area.

 

[George_Apley]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

You would probably know more about industry trends/sentiment as well, but I seem to recall falling revenue and predictions of the end of theaters just a few years ago. Obviously the collapse of home video rental did not bring down the theater industry as well, so they are feeling safe to invest in new openings again for the first time in a long while.

That's why they've amended their business model. Cutting seats in favor of comfort and alcohol. Making the theater experience more of an experience than a sticky floored, cramped, broken chair spring to-do. Given that renovated movie theaters of equal size to before are holding only 50% the seats as before, it makes sense that there's room in the market to open more theaters.

 

[FK4]

Re: Tremont Crossing in Roxbury

At first, when they were only an option if you so chose, the cushy seated theaters were nice... but Ive come to despise the trend as it is now clear that all theaters are going to convert, sooner or later. The spontaneity of going to the movies on a lark is being eroded - you can't just "go" to the movies anymore! Every suburban asshole has bought the good seats well ahead of time, so if you want a decent seat you have to plan ahead. Fuck that. I am 100% in favor of first come, first serve for movie nights. If it were an option and not the norm, I'd be for it... but the Fenway conversions were the last straw. I hate it.

Re: the development here, I'm really not a fan... said already upthread.... but the perpetuation of monolithic post-urban renewal blocks is just not cool. They could break this up into several smaller parcels and still get some decent height here, but add some new streets and wind up getting more street-level retail to actually build a decent neighborhood that eventually could be knitted, via streets, to the grid and 'hood of Dudley next door. Instead this is just going to be giant, big box cul-de-sac that everyone on archboston will fawn over because it's developing an old eyesore of a parcel and achieving some height in a new area. Well, not enough for me! The state/city/BRA could do better with this one, and they should.