Draft Project Impact Report - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Exeter Residences/888 Boylston
March 21 / September 21
May 5 / August 5
\\Mabos\projects\09916.00\docs\Permits\DPIR\Text\DPIR Chapter 5
Environmental.docx
Similar to the 155 foot condition, the proposed 888 Boylston building does not cast
shadow on the existing internal pedestrian plaza spaces.
155-feet Zoning Height
On March 21 and September 21, the 155 foot 888 Boylston will create minor new
shadows on the eastern and western sidewalks of Gloucester Street near Boylston
Street at 9 AM. By 12 PM the building contributes only slivers of new shadow as this
area is overlaid by the shadow from the Prudential tower with shadows directed
nearly perpendicular to Boylston Street. By 3 PM new shadows are off the public
sidewalk. At this time the building introduces some very minor shadow to the
Boylston Street plaza area adjacent the building and on to the upper plaza behind the
western-most portion of the newly constructed Mandarin Oriental Boston.
At 3 PM and 6 PM on March 21 and September 21, the sun has shifted to the
southwest and most existing shadows coincide with the Back Bay street network.
Any shadows cast by the proposed 888 Boylston building will fall within the
Prudential Center property and will not cast any new shadows on any publicly
owned space or sidewalk.
Proposed Program
While the proposed 888 Boylston results in additional shadow length in comparison
to the 155 foot version, the proposed building does not result in additional shadow
on public streets, sidewalks or Prudential Center pedestrian plaza areas. Additional
shadow is extended on adjacent roof areas and fills some gaps in Public Alley 443.
It is important to note that in both the 155 foot and proposed 888 Boylston conditions
nearly the entire Boylston Street corridor from Hereford Street to Exeter Street is
within the shadows of the existing low, mid and high-rise structures that dominate
the vicinity.
155-feet Zoning Height
On May 5 and August 5 the 155 foot 888 Boylston building has very limited shadow
impacts. At 9 AM the building’s shadow extends toward the Boylston/Gloucester
intersection shading a portion of the plaza along Boylston Street. A small section of
DRAFT - Environmental Protection 5-23