Winthrop Center | 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District

Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

Dont forget Belkin owns that parcel next door.

I would say he has a huge advantage here because of that
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

Dont forget Belkin owns that parcel next door.

I would say he has a huge advantage here because of that

^I was just thinking about that. What if Belkin doesn't get chosen to develop? Is his parcel needed for this project to go forward? Will his parcel be taken by eminent domain if he is not chosen as the developer?
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

^I was just thinking about that. What if Belkin doesn't get chosen to develop? Is his parcel needed for this project to go forward? Will his parcel be taken by eminent domain if he is not chosen as the developer?

No and no.

Belkin's proposal is quite possibly the worst of the lot, in my opinion, so I won't be sad if it isn't chosen. Owning the building next door just gives greater flexibility.
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

Will his parcel be taken by eminent domain if he is not chosen as the developer?

LOL. Not happening. That would be a legal shit show for Boston.

^I was just thinking about that. What if Belkin doesn't get chosen to develop? Is his parcel needed for this project to go forward?

I think you have to assume when a developer submits these proposals that what your proposing fits within the confines of the property. If you can't do it with what you would be leasing / buying then you're fucked from the get-go.
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

I don't want to derail but I wonder why they have prioritized the re-bid and fast track of this parcel over the South Station Tower. Is it a state vs. city thing? Seems like emphasizing the development of the South Station version would have stronger benefits. I like this whole project but the SST seems like a better priority for an iconic building than the small constrained Winthrop parcel.
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

The 620' South Station tower won't move forward until the Post Office agrees on a new site, and the track expension is near complete. Expect to hear something on this, this year. It may be a few more years before you see cranes.
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

I don't want to derail but I wonder why they have prioritized the re-bid and fast track of this parcel over the South Station Tower. Is it a state vs. city thing? Seems like emphasizing the development of the South Station version would have stronger benefits. I like this whole project but the SST seems like a better priority for an iconic building than the small constrained Winthrop parcel.

Semass -- the whole of South Station involves: USPS, Amtrak, Mass DOT + Chapt 91 Coastal stuff + Army Corps of Engineers + "advisory opinion" by the FAA and Boston

111 Federal only really involves the BRA with "advisory opinion" offered by the FAA

If you think the current cycle is winding down -- where would you put your emphasis if you are Mayor Walsh?
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

Best news ever. I have no doubt that the city can negotiate with the FAA. This needs to go to 850'. There's no way 725 or 850 makes a difference.

Walking up Franklin Street at lunch time I was wondering if this would be much more prominent on the skyline than the Millennium tower. The parking garage site is somewhat down gradient?
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

The 620' South Station tower won't move forward until the Post Office agrees on a new site, and the track expension is near complete. Expect to hear something on this, this year. It may be a few more years before you see cranes.

Dont forget even the north south rail link complicates the situation even further.

Back on topic... Heres a curbed article on the subject of this tower:

http://boston.curbed.com/2016/3/10/11192640/boston-winthrop-square-tower

If a former director of the BRA proposes a 780' tower then I would say without a doubt we can go over 700' here. There are maybe 50 people on planet earth who know as much as he does regarding what height can and cant be built here. I would trust him over almost anybody. Im not saying we will get a 780' tower but if a former director of the BRA proposes it then there is a 90% chance that they can go over 700' here if they choose to do so.

If they can go that high why not go for 791' at all costs. New tallest building to show the world that the Boston of today is not the Boston of yesterday. We haven't had a new tallest since the 1970's it would be great to get one now. That being said if we get 700-750' it would still be great and not that big of a deal. 750' would be enough to establish a new crown over downtown that would be sufficient and make the skyline look great.

From the article:
"Thomas O'Brien, a former director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, would turn the garage site into a public plaza and then build a 780-foot tower with 700 apartments and condos across the street in a deal with the Franciscan friars who run St. Anthony Shrine Church. O'Brien would also build a public school. (For comparison's sake, know that the Hancock is 790 feet high.)"
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

Article says a number of other developments have struggled to nab big tenants and are therefore delaying construction. What buildings would those be?
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

Article says a number of other developments have struggled to nab big tenants and are therefore delaying construction. What buildings would those be?

Government Center Garage office tower (the Pelli one), Hub on Causeway office tower, Pier 4 office tower. 121 Seaport is pushing ahead with no tenants lined up.

The market is much more keen on residential development than office development.
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

As someone on here said before, "Give me Accordia or give me death!"
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

^ +1. I guess well have to wait and see but Accordia is already perfection so there is a very slim chance something better will be proposed. There is a chance though. The only thing that worries me is if you look for accordias proposal on google there is an alternate shitty version that shows up and gauging by the normal circle of life with proposals I have a bad feeling it is the most current. We see this all the time. A proposal that looks like god himself reached down from the heavens and carved it in place with his bare hands and then after multiple reviews, nimbys, scale backs...etc we end up with something that a 4th grader made out of dog sh*t he found on his front lawn. I hope this is not the case in this location of all locations.

Version 1 slowly tapers, has rounded corners that look to become sharp at the crown, terra cotta/blue glass color pallette, perfection.

9807938_orig.png


Version 2 is an awkwardly shaped box that looks like someone swiped a paint brush dipped in orange paint across half of it.

Accordia_Render_River_20150413_FeatureWeb_Banner.jpg


Not sure which is official.
 
Last edited:
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

I'll be happy if it's anything over 700'. If Boston keeps going like that, imagine Downtown area in 10-15 years. Hopefully FAA can be chill about this.
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

^ +1. I guess well have to wait and see but Accordia is already perfection so there is a very slim chance something better will be proposed. There is a chance though. The only thing that worries me is if you look for accordias proposal on google there is an alternate shitty version that shows up and gauging by the normal circle of life with proposals I have a bad feeling it is the most current. We see this all the time. A proposal that looks like god himself reached down from the heavens and carved it in place with his bare hands and then after multiple reviews, nimbys, scale backs...etc we end up with something that a 4th grader made out of dog sh*t he found on his front lawn. I hope this is not the case in this location of all locations.

Version 1 slowly tapers, has rounded corners that look to become sharp at the crown, terra cotta/blue glass color pallette, perfection.

9807938_orig.png


Version 2 is an awkwardly shaped box that looks like someone swiped a paint brush dipped in orange paint across half of it.

Accordia_Render_River_20150413_FeatureWeb_Banner.jpg


Not sure which is official.

You know how we were just discussing the adjacent parcel? It looks like v1 has a larger foot print. It might be 2 different versions depending on what they can get for land.
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

How would a deal with the Franciscans work?
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

You know how we were just discussing the adjacent parcel? It looks like v1 has a larger foot print. It might be 2 different versions depending on what they can get for land.

To me it just appears that the art style for the tower itself is different and that is what is causing the design to appear different. Overall the shape is almost the same with the main difference being that the second version slims down at lower point on the building then goes straight up and the other design shows it as tapering the whole length of the building.
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

To me it just appears that the art style for the tower itself is different and that is what is causing the design to appear different. Overall the shape is almost the same with the main difference being that the second version slims down at lower point on the building then goes straight up and the other design shows it as tapering the whole length of the building.

Also, if you're just comparing the two images in stick's post, the renderings are at different scales. Look at the far left of the images. In the one that appears larger, the left limit of the image is 45 province & part of One P.O. While in the one that looks smaller, you can see all of One P.O. and the state house.


I would all but rule out a footprint that included 133 Federal (if that's what we're talking about by adjacent parcel). I seem to remember reading somewhere that this building bears some architectural importance, and that tearing it down would face heavy opposition. I do believe that preservationists were open to connecting the existing building to the new tower.

Edit: Here's one article from the New York Times back in 2007.
 
Re: 111 Federal St. | Formerly Trans National Place (Winthrop Square) Part 2

Someone draw in the Chiofaro tower so we can see how much (if any) it's visible from that view.
 

Back
Top