While I truly like SHoP's design, I think we need to take a step back and evaluate the whole proposal before we say it's Accordia or nothing. As others have mentioned, not much is known about Accordia. As I'm sure most of you know, the ability to get this thing BRA approved, permitted, financed, & built is just as important as the design.
Now personally, I like HYM's overall proposal the best. I feel like it's killing two birds with one stone. It replaces the lifeless wall that is St. Anthony's with a new tower & retail space, and replaces that decrepit garage with a church/rectory, school, & open space. I know others here have trashed HYM's proposal for their lack of rendering, but I think the diagram shown in slide 13 of their proposal has potential. It could be sleek from the south/north. Obviously nothing is set in stone, and I would like to think that given such a prominent stage, HYM would push for a truly iconic design.
Accordia is my #2, strictly on design. They brought in a good architecture firm for this project. From what I gather,
Kirk Sykes (the majority partner) is a local guy, but I haven't come across anything that says he has completed something like this before. Rich Galvin & CV properties have a little more verifiable experience, but they are the minority partner. I've only done some quick googling, so maybe there is more out there that I'm missing.
Ideally, I think HYM's site plan with SHoP's tower (or a version thereof) would be ideal. Give it some architectural lighting towards the crown, and a spire that makes it really stand above the rest of the financial district and call it a day.
Millennium, Fallon, & Lend Lease are all okay in my book. They have mediocre designs and could get the job done. Lend Lease is behind some high profile stuff (I believe One57 & 432 Park) so I think they would do alright, it'd just be good to see an actual render.
