Yeah, I dislike the Boston is gradually losing some of it's pre-war mid-rise stuff to be replaced with stumpy boxes. I know I'm in the minority...
Basically, I just wish Boston was bigger, so there was more room to re-develop and grow without tearing down the history of the city.
JPdivola -- Boston has plenty of fine streets with fine buildings that are not in danger of wholesale obliteration -- that era is over.
The essence of Boston is maintaining an appropriate balance between preservation of older quality design, historically significant structures, and new development for each era.
For example of not doing right is the Paul Revere House. Paul Revere modernized his old house's "Medieval style windows" as befits a modern and prosperous Late 18th C artisan and entrepreneur. He also raised the roof and built another floor of bed rooms to accommodate his growing family. One hundred plus years later ardent and well meaning "Preservationists" removed the 3rd story and reinstalled the old style of windows -- removing from the "historic house" the the most hands-on-by-Revere aspects. It's good that the house, which had deteriorated into a near tenement by the end of the 19th C was saved -- However, it's debatable as to whether the saving in its current form lost the true history and presents a distorted view of Revere the man and his house.
On the other hand -- some argued, during the interminable interregnum and the hole in DTX -- that the Vornado plan for the old Filene's block would have preserved more of the early 20th C retail ethos. Few today however would argue against the outcome of the Millennium Tower coupled with the fully restored Burnham building. A very successful example of the proper balance of old and new.
Note that there are a whole lot of non-descript, if 50 to 100 year old, stuff, that is just as good a site for development as the open lots and parking garages, all of which at one time had been just more of the same old non-descript buildings. So, Yes, lets develop the open lots and old garages, but if the development and prosperity of Boston consumes a few dozen everyday old buildings every decade -- then so be it.
Some might mourn the loss of such as the Travelers, the Dainty Dot, or the University Club. However, as long as Boston continues to respects and understands the importance to the present and future, of the past including its architecture -- as long as we save the outstanding and the very good such as the Chadwick Leadworks, the Cunard, the old Federal Reserve, Ames, etc. -- Boston will remain Boston and I will not fear for the soul of the city.
