Seaport Square (Formerly McCourt Seaport Parcels)

I don't remember seeing these before. Envoy Hotel renders:

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Every architectural move on this building is the equivalent of stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. Value judgement withheld.

cca
 
cca said:
Every architectural move on this building is the equivalent of stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. Value judgement withheld.

cca
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Oh, come on, you already jumped into it. Tell us what you really think. I do like this building but would have preferred that the window treatments on the city side wrapped around the whole building. I know, more stainless steel appliances! But, that rooftop deck, it's gonna be a hit.
 
I love the design, save for the vinyl siding wall which screams "Aaaaaand this is where we ran out of money."
 
atlantaden said:
Oh, come on, you already jumped into it. Tell us what you really think. I do like this building but would have preferred that the window treatments on the city side wrapped around the whole building. I know, more stainless steel appliances! But, that rooftop deck, it's gonna be a hit.
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All I am trying to say is that it is trendy, which is ok when you are doing a kitchen renovation, but something that has to stand the test of time in an urban environment should be thinking bigger (and cities should demand that kind of thinking).

The reason I left value judgement out of it is that granite is a legitimately good material for a countertop and stainless steel is pretty nice for an appliance. Trendy though.

cca
 
It's so stand alone there and facing different things in all directions. Be nice if it was as inviting from all angles. If the back side was facing an alley, it'd be fine. But it will end up facing one of the best new developments in the area and should interact with it better.
 
Why does the envoy look so small? How many rooms will it have? Probably could have added 2 more floors.
 
datadyne007 said:
It's probably Alucobond.
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I was using "vinyl siding" as a pejorative. Alucobond is being used like the cheap vinyl wrap on the sides of "brick" McMansions that don't face the street.

Except that here, it's being used on the side that faces one of the largest developments in the area. Whoops.

But it's the Seaport, so... expectations have to be low.
 
This article in the Boston Herald is the first I have heard of the "The Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial":

Memorial for servicemen killed since 9/11 seeks $1M

A “first-of-its-kind” memorial honoring Bay State servicemen and women killed since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is months from breaking ground in the city’s Seaport District, but it needs help from taxpayers, according to a leading veterans advocate who is pushing legislators to pass a proposal pumping $1 million in public funds into the long-awaited project.

“There’s no reason to wait. There are families that grieve every day when they wake up. This is something they can have and know that it’s theirs,” said Dan Magoon, who is spearheading the Massachusetts Iraq & Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial project, which will feature a 50-foot obelisk structure, reflecting pools, fountains and an indoor interactive kiosk.

The project, which will be an official state memorial, is slated to break ground in late summer or early fall, and take 18 months to build, Magoon said. Most of the expected $8 million price tag will be covered by major private donors, including John Hynes’ Boston Global Investors and Morgan Stanley, which is providing the waterfront lot. The Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund has also raised roughly $600,000 in smaller donations.

But Magoon said that leaves about $1.5 million. State Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry (D-Dorchester) filed an amendment to the Senate budget, due to be debated today, calling for $1 million for the memorial.

“We think it’s really important to recognize and acknowledge our veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice,” Dorcena Forry said. “Hopefully we’re successful.”
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The website is here and describes the project as follows:

Massachusetts Fallen Heroes is breaking ground in the summer of 2014 on a permanent public tribute to honor the Commonwealth’s brave servicemen and women who died while in service to this grateful nation. The Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial will be located in the newly developed Seaport District of Boston.

Teaming with Seaport Square developer, John Hynes, Hacin + Associates, Boston Global Investors, designer James Carpenter and Reed Hilderbrand (Landscape Architect), the memorial will include a 50 foot obelisk that will be included as part of a new public space in the center of a neighborhood rapidly developing along South Boston’s waterfront. This tapering, five‐sided translucent form rises into the treetops. The form’s geometry appears to rotate to its apex before folding in and tapering down into itself. Day and night, the twinned veils of the memorial’s surfaces, present an engaging sense of light – an introspective celebration of life that will continuously change throughout the day by the sun and will transition into an internally lit beacon during the evening hours. Also included is an "interactive memorial" will also house artifacts and memorabilia that Veterans of Post 9/11 conflicts brought home from battle.

The Memorial to the Fallen Heroes can be viewed from various vantage points in the neighboring area and from the water. A recent article in WorldArchitectureNews.com described the memorial as “the focal point of the project and a beacon that can be seen from Boston Harbor and points beyond. The Memorial is a tapering, five-sided translucent form that will rise above the treetops. The form’s geometry appears to rotate to its apex before folding in and tapering into itself. The twined veils of the Memorial’s surfaces present an engaging sense of light both day and night.”
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Images from the website:

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This looks like it could be quite nice. Certainly an improvement over another Seaport lawn, and much more meaningful.
 
I think it looks great, and is a very deserved tribute to those fallen soldiers. This plot was always slated to be a park, so this is a great use.

Good on Hynes for donating the lot.
 
What an excellent usage of this space and a great tribute. It looks awesome. If there was any doubt about the Seaport being a true destination, things like should make it clear that it clearly is.
 
Why is the obelisk offset from the central axis? That looks strange to me.
 
I also think this park and a second small building on the grounds will help to better tie-in the district hall, which currently feels out of place and tiny compared to its surroundings and future, larger neighbors.
 
While I support this idea wholeheartedly I must say I'm surprised about 2 things:

1. How come they could not raise enough money? With Boston Strong campaign and generally very civic minded and patriotic population you'd expect they can easily raise another 1mil for a worthy cause like this.
Maybe there's simply not enough visibility given to this? E.g. this is the first time I'm hearing about it.

2. But also - the war is still in progress. It's unusual to have memorial build for a war in progress, no?
 
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