In an effort to show both "compromise and flexibility," developer Don Chiofaro has introduced a shorter and trimmer version of his embattled Boston Harbor Garage redevelopment plan.

Gone is the soaring 780-foot-sky frame design, replaced instead with a twin-tower design, one of 615 feet. The other is 471 feet. The height represents a more than 20 percent reduction and the 1.3 million-square-foot-size is down 13 percent from the original proposal. The latest proposal is tentatively being called "Aquarium Place."

The latest design presents an angular front to the building, which Chiorfaro and development partner Ted Oatis said was intended to create more interesting viewing corridors from the Rose Kennedy Greenway to the Boston Harbor. The new design, while still far outpacing the 200-foot height restrictions imposed along the greenway by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), is being presented by Chiofaro as a compromise that represents both economic feasibility and the spirit of open design along the greenway mandated by the BRA.

The development is slated to include a hotel, residences, office and retail space. Chiofaro said he envisioned the project as "a model for high-rise, green technology for the world," one which would transform a "dilapidated garage" into an "iconic" structure.

Part of the reasoning behind the BRA’s 200-foot height restrictions along the area now occupied by the Harbor Garage was concern regarding shadows looming over the open greenway. Oatis said models of the effects of shadows from a twin, 600-foot design larger than the latest proposal showed the potential effects to be "minimal."

Residents of the nearby Harbor Towers condominium complex have been vocal in their oppostion to Chiofaro’s large proposals for the site. Chiofaro admitted his latest design would have "a little bit" of an impact on views for some Harbor Towers tenants.

"Don Chiofaro and partner Prudential have not shown us, his closest neighbors, anything, but it appears they went through a hollow effort to try to drum up support for a project that doesn’t come close to meeting city and state requirements, reconfiguring neighbors’ properties and ignoring their concerns in the process," Harbor Towers Spokesman Tom Palmer said in a statement to Banker & Tradesman.

Chiofaro, developer of nearby International Place, which also sits along the Rose Kennedy Greenway, said it was in his company’s interest to "see the long-term success of the greenway assured." He also said the only project of comparable economic importance to his latest proposal was his own International Place.

As such, The Chiofaro Co. proposed to offer leadership in the promotion and creation of a new Business Improvement District "to ensure the long-term financial stability and success of the Rose Kennedy Greenway." Chiofaro said his company would set aside $50 million to support the effort through community area enhancements along the greenway and other nearby public spaces.

Chiofaro, who has publicly clashed with Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino in the past, said his latest design has not yet been presented to City Hall. He said he hoped the design will "start a brand new dialogue with the city."

"This is a real opportunity for the mayor," Chiofaro said. "We hope he’ll step up as leader of this city. We’d love to have his support. This is a great chance for the mayor."

When contacted for commernt, the BRA issued a statement calling Chiofaro’s presentation a "PR scheme."

"The BRA will conduct the appropriate review if, and when, [site owner] Prudential Real Estate files a Notice of Project Change for the Harbor Garage," said BRA Spokesperson Susan Elsbree.  "We will not use scarce resources to respond to the latest PR scheme for this site."