West Cambridge / Alewife Area Infill & Small Developments

[stick n move]

View attachment 63461
I wish the ribbon windows included mullions that matched the blue striping on the temporary tarps. It would give it a deco or streamline moderne look that would stand out more than the cheap office park vibe.

That and rounded corners would have gone a longg way.

 

[RandomWalk]

Desaturated blah. It almost makes one pine for an offset window or two.

 

[Charlie_mta]

View attachment 65878
Desaturated blah. It almost makes one pine for an offset window or two.

What genre of architecture is that? 1980s shopping mall?

 

[RandomWalk]

Retro DEC office park, minus the red brick.

 

[stick n move]

-It fits in nice next to its colorful neighbor.

Nauset Completes 49-Unit Mixed-Use Apartment Community at Fresh Pond​

“Nauset Construction has completed 605 Concord at Fresh Pond, a mixed-use transit-oriented development comprised of 49 stylish apartment units and 2,500 square feet of street-level retail space for developer Acorn Holdings LLC. Conveniently located near Alewife Station, Fresh Pond Park, and Danehy Field, the community offers immediate access to public transit, green space, and retail amenities, including Alewife Brook Parkway Shopping Center and Fresh Pond Mall. 605 Concord at Fresh Pond exemplifies modern urban living in a highly walkable, amenity-rich environment……”

Nauset Completes 49-Unit Mixed-Use Apartment Community at Fresh Pond

Nauset Completes 49-Unit Mixed-Use Apartment Community at Fresh Pond

www.bldup.com

 

[stick n move]

Demolition is expected to run December to March at Riverview condos deemed in danger of collapse​

Condominiums in West Cambridge have been fenced off since July for fears of collapse.

“Demolition of a West Cambridge condo complex evacuated last last year for fears of collapse is expected to start in early December, city staff said at a Wednesday meeting for owners and concerned neighbors.

Due to the structural dangers, the nine-story, 66-unit Riverview Condominium building at 221 Mount Auburn St. can’t be cleared of the asbestos in joint compounds, floor tiles and popcorn ceilings before demolition. Instead, the project will require a “nontraditional work plan” to demolish the building safely while containing and disposing of the asbestos-containing materials, Cambridge Department of Public Works staff said.

The city is working with state environmental protection and labor standards departments, consultant organizations SGH, TRC and Consigli, and the demolition group NorthStar, and consultants survey the building biweekly by drone to spot changes as the team continues to work toward full demolition, staff said…..”

Demolition is expected to run December to March at Riverview condos deemed in danger of collapse

Demolition of a West Cambridge condo complex evacuated last last year for fears of collapse is expected to start in early December, city staff said at a Wednesday meeting for owners and concerned neighbors.

www.cambridgeday.com

 

[Charlie_mta]

I never thought of that area as West Cambridge, but I guess technically it is.

 

[brazile]

I never thought of that area as West Cambridge, but I guess technically it is.

Well, at least since 1867, when West Cambridge became Arlington.

 

[BACsop]

 

[RandomWalk]

They have started installing silt fencing and other prep work on Jerry’s Pond.

 

[Charlie_mta]

They have started installing silt fencing and other prep work on Jerry’s Pond.

What are they doing there? That was my old swimming hole when I was a kid, until the city swimming pool was built.

 

[RandomWalk]

https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/CDD/Transportation/BikeCommittee/2025/04/20250430_jerryspondpresentation.pdf

TL;DR: Boardwalks, a pavilion, a bike path spur, and community gardens. No swimming though.

 

[Charlie_mta]

https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/CDD/Transportation/BikeCommittee/2025/04/20250430_jerryspondpresentation.pdf

TL;DR: Boardwalks, a pavilion, a bike path spur, and community gardens. No swimming though.

That looks fantastic. Thanks!
Yes, I would not advise swimming in that pond, due to the many decades of chemical saturation of the area until the 1960s/70s. Fortunately I don't glow in the dark from swimming there until I was about 11.

 

[Dr. Rosen Rosen]

Riverview Condo demo is well underway

 

[Charlie_mta]

Riverview Condo demo is well underway

View attachment 69915View attachment 69916View attachment 69917View attachment 69918

Not much of a loss. At this location, highly visible from the Charles River corridor, hopefully something attractive will go up.

 

[kz1000ps]

I had to see this for myself.... 1/19

 

[Charlie_mta]

I had to see this for myself.... 1/19

Looks like an ice cube tray in this winter setting.

 

[stick n move]

Not much of a loss. At this location, highly visible from the Charles River corridor, hopefully something attractive will go up.

I wonder if its even legal to build something equally as tall in its place?

 

[FormFollowsBudget]

Curious - what are the tarps doing draped off the trailer?

 

[RandomWalk]

I would guess the trailer is loading out toxic debris.