Draft Project Impact Report - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Exeter Residences/888 Boylston
Character and Materials
Landscaping
The curved, glass curtainwall system with cantilevered glass edges presents a
strikingly fresh and modern appearance on Boylston Street in contrast with the
heavy masonry appearance of its neighboring buildings. The curved façade is
envisioned as a segmented glass veil suspended in front of the structure, and the
glass is cantilevered beyond the horizontal and vertical corners of the building to
emphasize this veil-like quality. The “veil” is envisioned as completely butt glazed,
without any mullion caps, and is entirely clear (i.e. vision) glass. The building
structure and life within the building will enrich this neutral tableau. Clear floor to
ceiling glass at the first two floors gives the retail and office lobby a dynamic
presence on the plaza as well.
An arc of round support columns penetrate the orthogonally designed retail podium,
providing articulation and scale at the base of the structure. By stepping back from
the retail storefront, the building expresses the clear programmatic distinction
between the first two retail floors and the office tower, and presents a reduced scale
at the plaza level. Large canopies projecting from the facade announce the office
lobby and retail entries, again offering elements that reduce the building to a
pedestrian scale at the plaza. Site Sections and Cross Sections for 888 Boylston are
presented in Figures 3-28 thru 3-31.
The urban plaza fronting on Boylston Street will serve as a central element for the
current 888 Boylston landscaping features. The plaza space must serve a multitude
of uses including: office entrance, retail entrances, restaurant patio seating, events
related to the Prudential Center, and passive recreation. The space is imagined
predominantly as a multi-use hardscape, with plantings designed to address the
solar orientation of this public space. Street trees and plantings near the street will
punctuate the Boylston Street Improvements Plan, and moveable seating, fountains
and lighting will add satisfying color, texture and pattern. Paving is varied, with
granite, concrete and perhaps recessed ‘light’ pavers to achieve a varied presentation
by day and by night. The pedestrian light fixtures proposed are both functional and
sculptural, thus enlivening the space throughout the day. A proposed restaurant in
the northeast corner of the Hynes Convention Center will have a designated area for
seasonal dining on the plaza and future retail tenants of 888 Boylston will be
encouraged to propose similar uses on the plaza. The retail spaces and office lobby
fronting the plaza will be clearly visible and easily accessible. Furthermore, the
existing entrance to the Prudential Center arcade network will be remodeled to
achieve greater presence on Boylston Street and to relate to the architecture and plaza
design of 888 Boylston as depicted in Figure 3-21.
\\Mabos\projects\09916.00\docs\Permits\DPIR\Text\DPIR Chapter 3 Urban
Design.docx Urban Design 3-10