Winthrop Center Explained

Winthrop Center, is a skyscraper in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is currently the fourth-tallest building in Boston, Massachusetts. The tower is built on the site of the defunct Winthrop Square Garage in the Financial District.[1] [2]

History

While planning the Winthrop Square Tower, six developers pitched designs to the Boston Planning & Development Agency, where the design by the Millennium Partners was chosen in August 2016.[3]

On October 26, 2016, the Boston Redevelopment Agency approved the construction of the tower.[4]

In November 2016, Millennium Partners increased the height to 775feet.[5] The building's planned height was later shortened to 702feet.[6]

In January 2018, the height was lowered again, to 691feet,[7] and in May 2018 to 690.7feet

On October 18, 2018 Millennium Partners announced a groundbreaking date for October 24, 2018[8] and changed the name from “Winthrop Square Tower” to “Winthrop Center”. The completion of the tower was planned for March 2023.

One Winthrop Square Park redevelopment

Winthrop Square to receive enhancements in connection with tower construction, and with that, Millennium Partners decided to redevelop the heart of Winthrop Square Park. It would include street trees, a water feature, granite paving, flowering understory trees, canopy trees, sculptural benches and a pedestrian connection to Winthrop Center.

Controversy

Many activists and residents in the city have opposed the building's construction, as the building as originally proposed would create a large shadow on Boston Common for at least 90 minutes on some mornings. This would break a state law that prohibits shadows on Boston Common or the Public Garden.[9] [10] The tower was also scrutinized by Massport, claiming that the tower's height would interfere with air traffic from Logan Airport.[11] Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has stated that he wishes to modify the state law prohibiting the building's construction, to allow the construction of the tower but to prevent future developments in the area.[12]

The planned height of the building was altered in September 2017, to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration's declaration that the building's proposed height was too tall and would, therefore, disrupt flights from Logan International Airport.[13] [14] The planned height of the building was lowered from 775feet to 702feet.[15] The height was reduced again, in January 2018, to 691feet, and a modified design with a height of 690.7feet was approved on May 1, 2018.[16] [17]

See also

References

PDFs:

  1. http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/db054d88-6a72-45fc-bed8-6b98eda8161b
  2. http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/ddf78729-e352-42e2-a3d1-5bf05babe6c9
  3. http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/57105d1c-74af-47e0-9caa-3a6f143bb809
  4. http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/af18f125-8e21-4387-a7fa-0d3707c37d7b
  5. http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/1df9eb07-9ff7-47b2-93dc-cfcbc0197323
  6. http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/59bd6382-8ebe-4142-8663-86e2fcaf6963
  7. http://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/6ae08631-117f-414c-9e4c-eb4255f28057

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: City picks Millennium to develop Winthrop Sq. tower. 2016-08-03. 2016-08-04. Logan. Tim. The Boston Globe.
  2. Web site: City panel backs Millennium Partners for Winthrop Square project. 2016-08-03. 2016-08-04. Goodison. Donna. The Boston Herald.
  3. Web site: Bids reach $151m for rights to Winthrop Sq. Garage site. 2016-06-21. 2016-08-04. Logan. Tim. The Boston Globe.
  4. Web site: It's official: Winthrop Square Garage will be turned into one of Boston's tallest towers. 2016-10-26. 2016-10-26. Logan. Tim. The Boston Globe.
  5. News: Carlock . Catherine . November 11, 2016 . Millennium Partners boosts Winthrop Square tower height . . July 11, 2017.
  6. Web site: Goodison . Donna . Developer: Flight paths mean tower will be shorter – Boston Herald . Bostonherald.com . 2021-11-26.
  7. Web site: Winthrop Square tower renderings show a still-sizable spire, whatever the shrinkage. Acitelli. Tom. January 8, 2018. Vox Media. 21 March 2018.
  8. News: Carlock . Catherine . Winthrop Square ground-breaking brings decade-plus long saga to a close . . 2018-10-24 . 2018-10-24 .
  9. News: Logan . Tim . December 7, 2016 . Here's what that long shadow from the Winthrop Square tower could look like . The Boston Globe . July 11, 2017.
  10. News: Acitelli . Tom . November 9, 2016 . Shadow concerns may doom plans for Boston's second-tallest tower. Curbed Boston. July 11, 2017.
  11. News: Logan . Tim . January 12, 2017 . Massport objects to height of Winthrop Square skyscraper . The Boston Globe. July 11, 2017.
  12. News: Logan . Tim . April 10, 2017 . Walsh proposes deal on tower, shadows . The Boston Globe. July 11, 2017.
  13. Web site: Buell . Spencer . Millennium Agrees to Shorten Winthrop Square Tower over Flight Concerns . Bostonmagazine.com . 2021-11-26.
  14. Web site: Acitelli . Tom . Winthrop Square Garage tower chops height to comply with FAA regulations - Curbed Boston . Boston.curbed.com . 2017-09-11 . 2021-11-26.
  15. Web site: Developer lowers height of proposed Winthrop Square tower . The Boston Globe . 2021-11-26.
  16. height above average grade per pdf drawings referenced below
  17. News: Winthrop Square tower design finally approved - The Boston Globe. BostonGlobe.com. 2018-05-03.