29 replies to this topic

[tombarnes]

More on this project from the Boston Herald

I like the idea of Meridien, but J.W. Marriott would be a bit bland for the project.  St. Regis is said to be seeking "waterfront or parkside locations" only.  In any event, this should be a great project.  I love the old Filene's building.

[atlrvr]

It's official....Filene's Basement will close on August 31st and will not reopen a temporary location during the construction of the tower.

Quote

‘‘After an exhaustive search, Filene’s Basement was unable to identify a temporary location that was large enough to accommodate their existing operations,’’ the company said in a prepared statement.

The good news is that they will continue to have automatic markdows once they reopen in spring 2009.

[atlrvr]

The first approximate start date that I've heard was released today in the print BBJ.  They hope to begin construction of the new tower this September.  Being Boston, I'm not counting on it, but it sounds like it may be the first office project to get under way....unless you count Russia Wharf, where I'm not really sure of the status since the site was sold to Boston Properties....work continues, but seems to have slowed.

[atlrvr]

This tower is close to landing Boston's first JW Marriot, which is Marriot's most upscale brand besides Ritz-Carlton.  

According to the Boston Herald

Quote

Project developers are in exclusive talks with the high-end hotelier, which would run a 250-room, $150 million hotel in part of a tower proposed for the current Filene’s site, said John Hynes, president of Gale International and one of the project’s developers.

JW Marriott touts “luxury touches,” including custom bedding and rich linens, marble bathrooms, high-speed Internet access and executive business centers.

The Filene’s development team recently selected JW Marriott from a field of contenders, which at one point also included the exclusive Meridien chain, Hynes said.

I suppose this is good news for DTXing, as it fills the range between the Parker House and the Ritz.  The Nine Zero is probably the only thing similar in the immediate area.

The article again mentioned September as the start date assuming the last bit of permitting occurs as scheduled.  I can't wait for this project.  I work right next door, and I'm really looking forward to a grocery store being so convenient.

[Divot]

Any recent updates on this?

[atlrvr]

I work right next door to the site, and they are definetely working on it.  Filene's Bastment closed in August and there have been work crews demoing the interiors of the buildings, especially of the two buildings that will be completed leveled.  There's not much to see from the outside, but I see lots of people working on the site everyday.

[northernbizzkit1]

agreed. I was down there last weekend, and there was definitely some construction going on within the old Filene's

[atlrvr]

Still not much evidence of construction from the exterior, but they are there demoing the interior on a constant basis.  The developer said they wouldn't beging exterior demo until after the new year, so hopefully it will occur soon.

Pic from Jan 4th.

[Coj]

I cannot wait to watch this go up.  This is a great project to help re-energize Downtown Crossing.

[MeC2001]

I know this project was pulled, but does anyone have any idea what the developers and/or city are going to do with this pit? I was in town about 5 months ago for a few days, and it appeared there was nothing happening, nor about to. What a truly unfortunate set of circumstances for an such an important site.