Draft Project Impact Report - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Exeter Residences/888 Boylston
are determined during the course of design review by the BRA.
Section 41-18(3) provides for display windows on Boylston Street excluding
permitted Lobby Entrance Area, with sufficient individual storefront entrances to
encourage active pedestrian use as certified by the BRA during Large Project
Review. Except for active storefront uses, glazed portions of Display Window
Areas must be 2 feet deep and used for display of goods and services or for
display of exhibits and announcements.
Section 41-18(4)(c) pertaining to rear yard setbacks does not apply in a PDA.
Section 41-18(4)(f) provides that above 155’ the average gross floor area per floor
cannot exceed 22,500 SF and no single floor above such height can exceed 25,000
SF. Exeter Residences complies with these parameters with an average floor plate
of 9,100 SF and no floor plate exceeding 10,500 SF. The floor plates for 888
Boylston measure approximately 24,000 SF above 155-feet. The Proponent will
propose a zoning text amendment with approval of the Fourth Amendment to
modify this parameter.
Conformance with other provisions of Article 41 relating to matters other than design
is discussed in Chapter 2.
3.7 Conformance with the Boylston Street
Improvements Master Plan
The Boylston Street Improvements Master Plan established a number of goals
relevant to 888 Boylston, most notably the following:
To enhance the retail vitality of Boylston Street and improve its visible quality
and overall image.
To enhance the pedestrian experience by installing street amenities.
To establish specific design criteria for sidewalks, open spaces, signs and
plantings.
888 Boylston proposes to reinvigorate an existing plaza with paving and planting
materials relating to those in the Boylston Street Master Plan. Street trees will
complete the Boylston Street Planting Plan, and specimen trees within the plaza will
add satisfying color, texture and pattern. The plaza itself is imagined as an
expansion of and welcoming addition to the Boylston Street sidewalk environment,
with a new retail edge that directly addresses the Boylston Street Master Plan
emphasis on enhanced retail vitality. The pedestrian experience is addressed with
benches, shade, paving variety, and the newly established continuity of the Boylston
Street façade. Furthermore, in support of the Boylston Street Improvements Project
\\Mabos\projects\09916.00\docs\Permits\DPIR\Text\DPIR Chapter 3 Urban
Design.docx Urban Design 3-13