News & Updates

Mayor Menino Announces New Institutional Projects Moving Forward

May 16, 2012

BRA Board Approves Emmanuel College Institutional Master Plan
Total development square footage: 330,000 square feet
Housing:  720 dorm beds
  The BRA Board unanimously approved the new Emmanuel College Institutional Master Plan (IMP), which includes plans for two new buildings that will still need Article 80 approval, and the addition of a new parcel. The IMP calls for the demolition of the existing Julie Hall on Brookline Avenue and its replacement with a 17-story building. The new 220,000 square foot Julie Hall will include 720 dorm beds (500 net new), 20,000 square feet of academic space, 35,000 square feet of dining and student life space, and a 450-500 seat dining area. [caption id="attachment_6380" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Julie Hall Rendering"][/caption] The site includes 200 (129 net new) below grade parking spaces, which will allow the removal of surface parking on campus and an expanded landscaped campus area. The IMP also includes plans for renovation and new construction at the existing Cardinal Cushing Library at the corner of The Fenway and Louis Pasteur. The existing building is approximately 51,800 square feet and plans call for the demolition of 17,800 square feet of the existing building and renovations to the remaining 34,000 square feet. In addition 5 new floors, up to 76,000 square feet, will be added. The updated facility will house a 300-seat lecture hall, classrooms, faculty offices, and a series of informal meeting spaces. In 2000 Emmanuel College created an endowment campus that includes three parcels, A,B, and C. At that time Parcel B was leased to Merck, which developed the site. As part of today’s approved IMP Emmanuel College will enter into a ground lease with Brigham and Women’s for Parcel C where Brigham and Women’s plans development. Additionally, Parcel A will now become a part of the new Emmanuel College Master Plan, allowing for its future development by the institution. Julie Hall and Cardinal Cushing Library will require further review under Article 80 as plans move forward.   Research and Lab Space Approved for Brigham and Women’s
Total square footage: 360,000 square feet
Jobs: 350 construction jobs
  The BRA Board unanimously approved the Brigham and Women’s Institutional Master Plan Amendment, which includes plans to develop a new 360,000 square foot research and lab space building. Brigham and Women’s is located in the Longwood Medical Area. Brigham and Women’s plans to enter into a long term ground lease with Emmanuel in order to construct the 360,000 square foot building for hospital use and research. The project also includes an underground parking garage for up to 355 replacement parking spaces. The proposed project at 45 Avenue de Louis Pasteur will be developed within the next 6 to 8 years.   Steward St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Will Add More Beds
Private investment / Total project cost: $25 million
Total square footage: 71,000 SF addition     
Construction jobs: 250

The BRA Board unanimously approved the 4-year renewal of the St. Elizabeth’s Institutional Master Plan (IMP) and proposed Connell ED/Urgent Care Building expansion plans. The 252 bed hospital located in the Allston/Brighton neighborhood will add more hospital beds and medical facility space. [caption id="attachment_6404" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Connell ED/Urgent Care Building Rendering"][/caption] The existing 3-story Connell ED/Urgent Care Building is at the corner of Washington and Cambridge Streets and houses St. Elizabeth’s emergency department. St. Elizabeth’s plans a $25 million expansion that will add 47,000 square feet of usable space over 3 new floors to the facility and an additional 69 feet and six inches to the height of the building. The new space will house mechanical uses, 23 new beds, a consolidated critical care unit, and additional medical and hospital space. The project also includes the creation of a new landscaped space behind the facility.   Earlier this year the Boston Landmarks Commission approved demolition of three buildings on the St. Elizabeth’s Campus, the Mother Mary Rose Pavilion, House Office Quarters, and Our Lady’s Hall.   New Rehearsal Space and Dance Studios for Boston Conservatory
Private investment / Total project cost: $10 million
Total square footage: approx. 20,000 sq ft
Construction jobs: 150

The Boston Redevelopment Authority board unanimously approved an amendment to the Boston Conservatory Institutional Master Plan that includes the construction of a new 3-story educational facility in the Fenway. [caption id="attachment_6382" align="alignright" width="300" caption="132 Ispwich St Rendering, view from Route 90"][/caption] Boston Conservatory plans to demolish an existing one-story building at 132 Ipswich Street and replace it with a 3-story, 20,000 square foot building. The new facility will house an orchestra rehearsal hall, dance and theater studios, music practice rooms, and other academic support spaces. The $10 million construction will allow Boston Conservatory to move programs out of leased space and into a building especially constructed for the specialized educational needs of its students. The development will have a contemporary façade with architectural lighting that complements the character of Lansdowne Street. A three story lighted staircase and large windows in the top floor studios will make indoor activity visible from the street, adding to the vibrancy of the area. Boston Conservatory’s first IMP was approved in September 2011 and called for the renovation of the building at 132 Ipswich Street, upon further review the institution concluded that renovation and reuse of the existing building was not feasible. Wheelock College to Add to Activities Center
Total square footage: approx. 9,000 sq ft
Construction jobs: 40 jobs

The BRA Board unanimously approved an amendment to the Wheelock College Institutional Master Plan permitting the renovation and addition to the 3-story Activities Center East (ACE) located at 180 The Riverway.   [caption id="attachment_6372" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Wheelock College Activities Center Renovation"][/caption] The Board approved renovating up to 2,300 SF of the Activities Center East and adding up to 6,700 SF to the building.  The new Activities Center East will total up to 9,000 SF and include classrooms, a conference room, faculty offices, an academic resource center, and a state-of-the-art technology center. Wheelock College focuses on early childhood education and teacher training.  In connection with the approval of Wheelock’s IMP, Wheelock will continue to participate in TEACHBoston, a six week pre-collegiate teacher education program for rising BPS sophomores and juniors.  In addition, Wheelock will continue to provide scholarships to BPS graduates attending Wheelock, $150,000 in tuition vouchers to BPS teachers for professional development courses, and participate in Jumpstart School Readiness for All Initiative.

Related Tags

Boston Conservatory Brigham and Women's Emmanuel College Fenway Institutional LMA St. Elizabeth's Hospital 

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