South Station Tower | South Station Air Rights | Downtown

From Sunday.
 

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Is that giant blank white wall the final facade material?
 
Is that giant blank white wall the final facade material?
Sort of is probably the answer? I believe that area is reserved for, and will ultimately be filled in and covered up by the lobby of the Phase 2 building. (Has anyone heard any updates about Phase 2? Per the BDPA's website it looks like it's still planned for residential/hotel?)

1000033666.jpg

1000033668.jpg
 
I also like how the arch gaps line up with the wall gaps.

That said, they would both be improved by being seamless.
 
*In theory* the retail bits of South Station should be the responsibility the leaseholder. In theory, they'd be incentivised to make it a nice space, to attract tenants and retail business. Unfortunately, the leaseholder is Ashkenazy, who historically ran Quincy Market, and later South Station, as a slumlord would, ultimately poorly enough that they were pushed out of Quincy Market earlier this year. They're also mired in financial issues, having just lost a Manhattan tower and a few other properties to foreclosure.

Frankly, the T should take a page from Amtrak's book here. Ashkenazy was also the leaseholder of the DC Union Station commercial space and lost that lease to foreclosure last year, but as part of that entire saga, Amtrak filed for eminent domain, citing maintenance issues and disagreement about space priorities. A court just ruled in Amtrak's favor, and the handover is scheduled for July. Granted, Amtrak is putting up BIL money to compensate for the taking, but the T really should do what it can to push Ashkenazy out of South Station.
Wow - what a terrible record they have. The DC Union Station retail decline is just downright depressing at this point. The Amtrak waiting area is dingy at best. Even marginal improvements will make a big difference there.
 
What is the archway material used here — is it limestone?
 

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