The residential project private developer Samuels & Assoc. plans to build on Harvard University-owned land at Barry’s Corner in Boston’s Lower Allston area is expected to have 275 to 325 apartments and between 25,000 and 40,000 square feet of ground floor retail space.
The proposal for North Harvard Street and Western Avenue, which was presented at a Boston Redevelopment Authority meeting last night, showed that one portion of the property would be 11 stories, making it the tallest building in the area at 115 feet.
That fact was not lost on residents that attended last night’s city-appointed task force meeting held on Harvard’s Allston campus.
"An 11-story building in this neighborhood won’t look good," said one audience member. "That building will look like you just plopped it there."
Another resident said that neighbors previously made clear that heights more than 10 stories were "absolutely unacceptable."
Samuels has decided to push its potential 160 to 170 parking spaces underground. While that frees up space in the project for more units or retail use, it also drives up costs. And the density of the project, which allows for the number of residents and retailers, is what pays for the buildings costs, said Joel Sklar, principal with Samuels.
"We have to pay for it somehow, and we pay for it with the development," Sklar said. "To create the amount of activity needed for a vibrant meeting place requires density. More density in the immediate environment of the site in a compact, walkable area … is really important for making a place feel good and feel like it has a successful environment."
While it is too early to know what tenants will fill the retail space, residents have said they want amenities like a pharmacy, a local grocer, daycare or a place to buy clothes, Sklar told Banker & Tradesman. A slide presentation showed the development team is studying examples like DeLuca’s Market in the Back Bay, Burtons Grill at Samuels’ Trilogy development in Boston and the J.P. Licks ice cream shops.
Sklar said Samuels hopes to break ground on the property in 14 months.
