re-posted w/ edits for all proper aB lashings.
While I don't agree an additional 15 stories works here, we do need to break that stretch's roof-lines up a little. Perhaps by taking a little bit of massing from the middle section and maybe the furthest east section of the building and adding it to the section closer to the Veridian. This massing would create a "valley" of sorts, or steps, depending on which massing you go with, within the development and bring the scale down from the high-rise section of Boylston down to the low-rises of Park Dr. and the Fens across Park Dr. ...
What if we leave Park Drive out of the discussion, and consider height for this block, and higher usage (despite the added risk of delays) solely on its merits.
Argue for 1000~1500 grad students who will get to their classroom offices and libraries using all available means.
Put another way; if the proposal was, say 29 stories like Stu Vi, i'm certain many of us would be saying, "Some bold planning here! Great to see more serious height being proposed along this section of Boylston Street. Nicely done."
Keep the club scene alive; start with a couple of floors of bars. But don't back away from a not-even-seismic shift. Just continue a natural progression not unlike what the City is doing now
everywhere. The BPDA can say "what the heck." Surprise people (more) every now and then.
Consider what's happening in any case; The Huntington, Parcels 7, 12, 13 & 15... Kenmore Square and Fenway Ctr.... now add 36~38 stories at 45 Worthington St, with the other older squat towers in Mission Hill... Present day Longwood up the street. ...in that context, going tall is just progressing in the natural order toward an urban neighborhood possessing a variety of height.
30 stories here isn't off par with Copley Tower which began planning almost a decade ago. .....400~500 beds isn't transformative. It's not risk-taking, imaginative, or breakout project in any measurable way.
With the horizontal progression into Roxbury and JP happening, aren't we forced to consider more vertical planning here?
We got into a rut for 3 decades. While Boston sauntered along in its malaise, the population grew by like 110M people. Now, we're living the aftermath of a City that under-built for 30 years. Residents have to adjust to the Fenway acquiring a bit more 'big city' feel. There's nowhere else for planners to go but consider even more height.
If the usual suspects want to rail at City planners over 30 stories of student housing, fine. The BPDA can jump in a foxhole with the developer! No one's suggesting older residents relocate to the housing project going up in Readville. But it's an option; No need for these stodgy patrons to go to New Bedford, or a bedroom community off Rt 24.
Build a City. Accept modest collateral damage.