615 To Offer Green Living on Boylan
The project formerly known as “
Boylan Flats
” has been redesigned and submitted to the city’s planning department. As seen on Centrepoint Architecture’s website, the new
615 Boylan
design still contains its boxy modern look. However there is much less glass in the new design. The project will have almost 48,000 square feet of space on a 0.20 acre footprint.
Striving for LEED certification, the design puts 15 loft-style condos above two retail spaces. The retail spaces will have an art gallery tenant and Centrepoint’s new home. On the third level, there will be a high-end fitness center and spa. The condos will fill five floors, each with a south-facing, private balcony. The project will feature three separate green roofs, maintained by on-site storm water retention.
The new site plan (.PDF) that is available only addresses access to the upper of two discrete parking levels underneath the structure. The building will sit on a steep (-13%) grade, and it appears that the pedestrian access on Boylan will be flanked by two parking entrances; one up, one down.
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September 14th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
This is one hideously ugly building. From the building masses to the color (or lack thereof), I certainly hope that there are some further refinements before they finalize the plans.
While I really like the concept behind this project, it’s going to run into the same problems that the first one faced: It’s simply too small of a project to be financially viable and managed by the owners. I imagine that it’s going to be as expensive in monthly maintenance fees as the other buildings nearby that have many amenities. Good luck to them! I really wish they would try and acquire the property adjacent to this site and expand this altruistic (toward the environment) concept.
September 14th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
actually, the building has a very European style to the design. At least its not the standar ‘brick and stucco’ style we are seeing with most of the other projects in the city.
The LEED certification will provide tax credits to Centerpointe which will offset some of the concerns John raises. Assume construction costs are between 100-150/square foot (which is quite realistic), then construction costs are only in the $4.8-$7million range. for 48,000 square feet of space, thats very reasonable.
September 15th, 2008 at 12:46 am
It’s not the cost of construction that concerns me, it’s the cost of operating such a small association. I have lived exclusively in condos for the last 20 years and can tell you that I would NEVER move to a small project again. The costs simply cannot be diluted enough to keep maintenance reasonable and standards high. Operating a building is not cheap. You have to pay all sorts of bills + management fees + build funds for future maintenance and repairs. Plus, I don’t think the developer is going to pass along any savings to the buyers. He/she will likely sell at market rate and pocket any savings realized. That’s just me being cynical, I guess.
Regarding the design, I disagree, the building is hideous. On the one hand, it tries to be creative in its massing. Yet, on the other hand, the North elevation looks like a cheap motel with its stacked outdoor breezeways that will overlook the back of McDonald’s. The South elevation is far more interesting but it’s likely to be blocked by a larger building on the adjacent land in the future. The planted screening seems to nod to that eventuality. And, perhaps, that was the best design decision made. The placement of the glazing among the massings is ordinary and the lack of color absolutely ignores the context of its location in the neighborhood. East Germany was part of Europe and this is the only place in Europe that comes to my mind when I see these renderings. I hope some further information will surface soon regarding the materials selected for the exterior cladding. If it’s stucco, I’ll puke. I liked the previous design much, much better. That design felt much more European to me.
Full disclosure: I am an architect.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:30 am
I must agree with John. I do hope they deliver this project - I am not a big fan of this design, but for the sake of diversity I will overlook the architecture. My concern is that small projects like this are not financially viable, unless the developer is willing to minimize the profits significantly. Anyway, best of luck to Centrepoint. I hope they successfully deliver 615 Boylan, without further complications.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:22 am
They need to be a little more specific with the name and call it “615 North Boylan”, to distinguish it from 615 South Boylan, which is someone’s house.
September 15th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Wow, this is just hideous. Looks like an old housing project that got some minor funding for ‘aesthetic updates’ in the 70’s.
I’m sure glad I don’t live or pass by there often.
Wow.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
This design isn’t the best but it beats the brick/stucco crap that litters our city now (as mentioned above). It has more of a west coast (San Deigo) style.
The truly sad part is that all the residents will look down at a “new” McDonald’s day and night. This would be much better located where McDonald’s and parking lot are. When will this city learn that we need less parking lots on street fronts and major intersections, not more.
September 16th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Green and next to the office. Recipe for success!!!!