You're right - IP was built hard-fast against a highway ramp....that the developer knew was temporary because he'd been fighting with Secretary Salvucci about it and the location of his garage wall for years.
I'm guessing that designing and constructing an underground garage in such close proximity to the harbor would be a pretty costly enterprise. I'd say it was good business to engage in a robust dialogue with the Secretary, as his Agency's highway project was happening literally steps away.
Also, take a look at our own GMACK27's photo:
See the ramp, over which the the blank wall of Daniel Libeskind's post-Katrina chicken coop may someday loom?
Looks like a great place to sip a latte...
Sure, the proposed Boston Center for Arts & Culture didn't exist in 1984, but I'll bet the off ramp the Center might be built above was part of the CA/T plan. The ramp's location limits the possibilities for that side of the street, doesn't it?
And don't forget that IP was built AFTER Rowes Wharf, whose arch at the time opened onto that exact same elevated highway....but Leventhal had the vision to build something that responded to the future, not turned its back on a transient present.
Rowes is attractive. I've warmed to it, although PoMo isn't my thing. As architecture, it's a novelty building. The arch serves its purpose to funnel people to the waterfront, the money-side of the building.
But take a look at this:
Check out that garage-ramp. Along that facade, do you see a barber pole, or a pastry shop, or a window displaying jewelry or designer clothing? Are there colorful awnings? Do you see any evidence that seasonal cafe seating is available on this side of the building?
Again, Rowes is a handsome building, but to suggest it offers its most engaging face to the Greenway is disingenuous.
Frankly, I think it woud be trivial to improve IP's frontage on the Greenway - it's just a matter of the owner wanting to do it.
Take a walk down there and look at it. Bring a copy of the ADA with you.
And there is nothing forcing the owner to keep most of the retail on High Street vacant....
Can you say for certain that the vacancy isn't driven by market forces?
if IP is any example of what the Arch could be, how could anyone buy into the "activate the Greenway" line after seeing how dead the edges of IP are?
That's a leap of logic worthy of Evel Knievel. Don't crash...