In order to expand the residential and retail area of Fenway, Samuels & Associates announced Monday a proposed addition to the Landmark Center.
If approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the addition would be built at the corner of Brookline Avenue and Kilmarnock Street, replacing the current low-rise structure with three 10 to 12-story residential towers on top of a two-story retail space, which Wegmans grocery store is planning to occupy.
“The area is very proximate to public transport, and is very attractive to developers for sites that were underutilized for a long time,” said Diana Pisciotta, a spokeswoman for Samuels & Associates. “The perception of this part of Fenway has evolved so that it’s not just the back end of Fenway Park, but [a] vibrant part of the area itself.”
This project comes in the wake of several other developments that are either seeking BRA approval, or are already under construction in the Fenway district.
The addition will create approximately 1,690 temporary construction jobs as well as more than 2,400 office jobs and 600 new retail positions, according to a Monday press release from the firm.
“The expansion of Landmark assures the continued residential vibrancy of the neighborhood, [it] supports its growth as a commercial center and it introduces Wegmans as another amenity that is easily accessible to the entire city via the MBTA,” said Steve Samuels, chairman of Samuels & Associates, in the release.
The plan will now undergo a community review process, lasting at least 30 days, and a final BRA board review to ensure that it meets the needs and requirements of the city and its residents before construction can begin, said a BRA official on background.
Pisciotta said the Landmark Center would work toward integrating its ground level with the rest of the street and neighborhood while also providing space for offices and residences.
“Samuels & Associates has developed a number of buildings in the Fenway area with two primary goals,” she said. “One, to activate the streetscape with retail [spaces] and restaurants that are consistent with the community’s needs, and two, to create buildings that expand and extend on to the overall community, with residences and a growing office presence.”
Several residents said they were open to the new project and the continued influx of housing being constructed in the Fenway area.
“People need places to live, so if it brings more people to Boston, then that’s great,” said Will Murphy, 20, resident of Boston. “Maybe aesthetically, it might not look too nice, but if it gives people a place to live, then it can’t be such a bad thing.”
Jim Elies, 18, resident of Boston, said he was not as excited about the addition to the Landmark.
“Boston is already so crowded, and they shouldn’t need to add more stuff,” he said. “I feel like this [area] is more calm. The more crowded it gets, the more and more people it brings…and it will just get uncomfortable.”
Dan Murray, 31, a construction worker and Brighton resident, said the project seemed beneficial, but further commuter traffic could become a problem.
“I like the fact that [the project] is bringing more businesses into the area,” he said. “What does worry me is if we’re going to [need to] expand public transportation if all these businesses with more workers are coming into the city.”
