Developer Unveils Latest Plans for the Back Bay/ South End Gateway Project

By Dan Murphy

The development team for the Back Bay/South End Gateway project unveiled its latest plans on Feb. 22 during a meeting sponsored by the Boston Planning & Development Agency at the Common Hotel and Conference Center.

Boston Properties, Inc. intends to transform the MBTA Back Bay station and the existing 100 Clarendon St. parking garage, along with the entire block bound by Dartmouth, Stuart, Clarendon streets and Columbus Avenue and four air-rights parcels, into a sprawling mixed-use complex. The new development includes plans for three new high-rises that would accommodate residential, retail and office space, including an office tower with retail on the ground level at Dartmouth and Stuart streets.

Mike Cantalupa, senior vice president of Boston Properties, said a single-story, 30,000 square-foot addition planned for the station that would house retail has been reduced from two levels. An outdoor terrace would also be added to the station in an effort to activate Dartmouth Street.

Simon Beer of Boston-based OJB Landscape Architecture said a new 11,000 square-foot public plaza is also proposed for the rear of the station facing Clarendon Street. The location of residential building proposed for Clarendon Street would be shifted approximately 37½ feet to accommodate the new public space, and its footprint will also be altered to improve sidewalk access.

Also, Beer said the pedestrian crossing at Dartmouth Street would be expanded to 60 feet and signalized.

Beer added that the development team is also looking at placing the exit to the garage on Dartmouth in the likelihood that Interstate 90 ramp remains open. In an alternate scenario that anticipates the ramp’s closure, the entrance would be relocated to Trinity Place.

Visit http://bit.ly/BBSEGP for more information on the proposed project.

Public comments on the project will be accepted until April 16 and can be directed to Michael Rooney, project manager for the Planning & Development Agency, at [email protected].

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