Woe that is Filene's take 3

My concerns of downtown are starting to manifest again. I read this article about the financing of the One Franklin project and how that there is trouble with it (see link below). With the market the way that it is now, has probably put quite a bit of stress on projects throughout the city. Keeping an optimistic outlook towards this is one of the best things that i can do, even though it is a little sad to walk by the project and see no work going on. I understand that it is hard to finance such a huge project. Can you imagine someone coming up to you and says, by the way I'm trying to build a skyscraper and do you have a couple mil handy for me to do so. It does make me wonder how solid of a budget plan the city requires a project in an economy like this. The bigger question is, what is the city going to do about this? Well this reader is going to be waiting to hear from the city that's for sure. Is it their place to bail out this project? We will have to wait and see. All I can hope for is that whatever happens the design stays strong. If we compromise design then we are settling for second best and this city should not settle.

http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2008/11/03/daily45.html

Woe that was Filene's take 2

So I have started to become the paparazzi of the building community. Being an architect and interested in the Government Center debates I have started to become interested in the documentation of the building process that is going on around me. Documenting what is going on in our environment lets people know the history and life that happened in a place that is ever changing. The other day I was in my print shop picking up a set of drawings and on their walls was a before, during construction, and after shot of Government Center in Boston. It was amazing to see the changes that happened, and how the space was recreated and redeveloped. The old Filene's building is also a very integral and important landmark in the Boston area. The good news is that there was still work happening at the site. I heard through the grapevine that there may be some money issues for this project. I really hope that this is not true, it can be devastating to the economy and the life around Downtown Crossing. Its bad enough that my favorite burrito place was a casualty of the building war. If this building does not get built or gets put on hold its going to send a message to all that see that gaping hole every day they walk by it. But I don't want to go to far off course, so I bring you some photos that I took today as I walked by. The excavator is actually being used to transport a cementitious material in this photo. It extends its long neck so that its bucket can be filled up by the cement truck. It would then rotate around and fill the hole that it is lying next to. Pretty interesting, and the big question is what is that large hole for, the cement that is being poured looks a little darker than what i have seen in the past, but that may not mean much. Only time will tell, enjoy the photos.

Woe that was Filenes

I currently work in downtown Boston and all i have to say is that there is alot of building going on in this town. Boston is taking on the republican party's ideals when it comes to the dreaded "R" word. I am talking about the other dreaded "R" word not Replublican. (Can't wait to get the flack from my republican friends) You know that horrible word that scares people into thinking that there is going to be an apocalypse and that we are all going to be on the streets begging for money. Don't want to say it because i don't want to jinx it. While the country has felt the ill effects of the presidential spending policies, Boston has just kept on building. I think that it is great. The type of building that is going on in down town is alot of residential high rises. It is trying to get people to move back into the cities and depend less on their cars on a daily basis. Unfortunately for Boston it is going to be so expensive it is going to be difficult for someone who makes a reasonable living to afford them, but we will have to come to that when they are done. I am going to start following the project at Downtown Crossing. For many of us who have been in Boston for a while the existing Filenes block is a mix of different designs and continuity was not the main focus. That's downtown Boston though. Build where you can, because there is not much space. Well the Filenes block is going to be a new glimmering high rise of commercial, office and residential spaces when finally complete. They are hacking out the non historically significant areas and filling in with glass and steel. It should be interesting. To be honest with you, Downtown Crossing needed a face lift and to reinvigorate the surroundings. If I would be able to afford it I would live in this area in a hart beat. Take a look at the demolition process in action. I have to say that seeing the large excavator with the pincher attachment makes me revert to 10. All I can think is Crush, Boom, Cool!!!!!!!!!