The proposed plaza for 888 Boylston St.
The developer of a controversial tower at the Prudential Center has agreed to lower the height by two stories, according to a source familiar with the project.
Boston Properties is expected to file an amended plan for 888 Boylston St. today with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) for a 17-story office building. The city asked the developer to revise the $115 million high-rise following com-plaints about height from the Back Bay neighborhood and the Prudential Project Advisory Committee (PruPAC). The 25-member panel was founded to advise City Hall on development at the Pru.
The lowered height is strong evidence the developer has taken the criticism seriously, according to Betsy Johnson, Pru-PAC’s chairwoman.
“This will be looked at as an act of good faith on the part of the development team,” she said.
The project, to be built between the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Cen-ter, has been in the works for years. In 2002, the BRA approved the office building at 11 stories. But the 287,000-square-foot high-rise never broke ground. Last year, Boston Properties sought approval for a 19-story tower.
That proposal drew opposition from the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB), which argued that the building would be out of character with the historic district. NABB has organized its opposition among members of PruPAC.
Elliott Laffer, PruPAC’s vice chairman and NABB’s representative on the committee, said he has not seen the revised proposal.
“But it sure doesn’t sound like much of a reduction,” he said. “Without seeing the impacts of shadows and wind, it’s diffi-cult to comment.”
Privately, some members of PruPAC are weary of NABB’s opposition.
“People told them they were getting to the absurd as they came back with more and more requests,” said the source, who asked not to be identified. “It came across as they just want to kill this. Even without the lowered height, PruPAC was inclined to support it.”
Laffer disputed the claim.
“PruPAC has never taken a vote, but I disagree that the panel supports the project,” he said.
Also included in the BRA filing is an enhanced plaza in front of 888 Boylston, according to Michael A. Cantalupa, senior vice president of Boston Properties. In addition, the residential tower proposed for Exeter Street with Avalon Bay Communities will be reduced by three floors to 27 stories.
“The project is improved as a result of the public review process,” he said in an e-mailed statement. “In light of this initial review, we have further evaluated the public spaces that will be created, putting a tremendous amount of energy and re-sources into their design. The new plaza on Boylston Street will be a signature element that will fill the streetscape with life and vitality, and will be a public space the city of Boston will be proud of.”
In an interview with Banker & Tradesman, Mayor Thomas M. Menino said he has not seen the new Boston Properties proposal and is reserving judgment.
“We will take a serious look at the revised plans for 888 Boylston and see how it fits with the overall scheme of development for the Pru,” he said.
