Seaport Square (Formerly McCourt Seaport Parcels)

In addition to any other factors, there wasn't a residential boom in Boston because urban living didn't become mainstream for many segments of the population until the late 1990s or well into the 2000s. There were still acres of subdivisions being developed in places like Franklin throughout the 90s. Enough gentrification then had to take place, and housing costs soar, to convince developers to take the plunge on construction outside of premium neighborhoods.
 
UPDATE: I heard today that the eminent domain taking at Seaport Square (ITEM #18 here) is a sliver of land, not the Innovation Center.

SeamusMcFly said:
Well, if you misconstrued what I said as cheerleading or supporting cronyism, I'm not so sure about the new aggressive Sicilian. (continues)
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I hear you SeamusMcFly. My frustration was misdirected and I enjoy reading your comments.

I do wish crane-counters on this forum would understand that Boston is 20 years behind major U.S. and international cities in contemporary architecture, waterfront planning and, notably, in fostering an "innovation ecosystem." As I see it, the only way to improve the situation is by public conversation, a call for transparency in the approval process, and criticism of the status quo.
 
Sicilian said:
I do wish crane-counters on this forum would understand that Boston is 20 years behind major U.S. and international cities in contemporary architecture, waterfront planning and, notably, in fostering an "innovation ecosystem." As I see it, the only way to improve the situation is by public conversation, a call for transparency in the approval process, and criticism of the status quo.
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Word up.

I'm sure it's no coincidence that your "20 years behind" statement mirrors the Menino Junta's Reign of Incompetence.
 
Well its vernacular for sure; that is its taking inspiration from the dilapidated single story warehouses they tore down in the area. Yay seaport!
 
This forum so needs the ability to "like" posts.
 
davem said:
Well its vernacular for sure; that is its taking inspiration from the dilapidated single story warehouses they tore down in the area. Yay seaport!
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This may be the least appealing side given the abundance of blank wall but a neo-Jetsonian innovation center works for me. I'll call it Elroy.
 
There isn't a single appealing side to this building. Ouch. Amidst all this development in the Seaport, this is truly a blown opportunity. Why couldn't the Innovation Center be in the base of one of the many planned Seaport Square towers?
 
Hmmm. With these additional photos it doesn't look as Spacely Sprocket as I had hoped. But the fat lady hasn't sung yet either.
 
To be fair.....

1. the building was originally planned to be 3 storeys, but the funding was never there.
2. It's a 10 year building max.
3. The completely blank wall will be covered by development.
4. It is serving its purpose as a PR stunt to kick start other development by at least presenting the appearance of activity in the area.

That being said. It is underwhelming, and undersized to achieve any of the stated goals. While working on it, I was amazed how much we were still asked to VE this thing, as the budget was that small.

I did like it because I finally got to go to a groundbreaking and get a bag of goodies with mementos. Unfortunately I left said goodie bag at the bar....
 
datadyne007 said:
Why couldn't the Innovation Center be in the base of one of the many planned Seaport Square towers?
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An Innovation Center for startups was negotiated and will exist in Waterside Place (luxe residential tower).

In Innovation Center for startups was negotiated and will exist in Pier 4 (luxe residential tower).

An Innovation Center for startups was negotiated and exists in One Marina Park Dr, albeit temporary, for Mass Challenge.

An Innovation Center was negotiated on Seaport Square.

Housing and office space in the vicinity in which these so-called "Innovation Centers" are being created, already approved for construction of Class A Office towers and luxe residential, will NEVER be suitable in affordability for garage startups or entrepreneurs -- it makes no sense to create Innovation Centers here, 1/2 mile from the current center of activity in Fort Point. And Fort Point itself is increasingly less appealing pricewise for the types of spaces sought by startups.

I've made my point before, the Seaport is entirely bereft of the ground floor civic and cultural space planning that our amazing waterfront deserves. At least highly educated entrepreneurs and angel investors are well-represented in the planning dialog.
 
It looks like an overbuilt toolshed. I have no idea what's going to happen in this building over the next ten years, but I doubt it would be anything that justifies its existence.

To Sicilian's point, the best case scenario is that the next mayor drops the pretense of the "innovation district" and recognizes this as an actual evolving neighborhood - and to that end re-purposes this building as a theatre (it may be possible) for the remainder of its lifespan.
 
SeamusMcFly said:
To be fair.....

1. the building was originally planned to be 3 storeys, but the funding was never there.
2. It's a 10 year building max.
3. The completely blank wall will be covered by development.
4. It is serving its purpose as a PR stunt to kick start other development by at least presenting the appearance of activity in the area.

That being said. It is underwhelming, and undersized to achieve any of the stated goals. While working on it, I was amazed how much we were still asked to VE this thing, as the budget was that small.

I did like it because I finally got to go to a groundbreaking and get a bag of goodies with mementos. Unfortunately I left said goodie bag at the bar....
Click to expand...

It may end up being no more than a glorified visitor center. Based on what you say the confidence level of making a real innovation incubator quickly went south and was downsized in order to hedge bets. This suffers quite a bit in comparison to "Hi", Harvard Innovation in Allston.
 
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