When developers from Centremark Properties first unveiled their proposal for a new seven story mixed use office and retail complex on the site of the garage at 4-6 Newbury Street earlier this year, residents and public official alike voiced their displeasure with the project.
The sticking point was the building’s height, which at about 85 feet would exceed the height of the current garage, which already exceeds the 65 feet permitted by zoning.
However, thanks to a last minute deal brokered in part by Councilor Mike Ross and State Representative Marty Walz, the developers have reached an accord with the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay that will allow construction to commence.
The new plan, which was approved this week by the zoning board of appeal, will keep the building at the same height as the current garage.
“NABB opposed the project that was proposed initially at the public meeting in February because it violated the zoning for the area and was significantly larger than the existing garage structure. Representative Marty Walz, Will Onuoha and Jay Walsh of the Mayor’s office, and City Councilor Mike Ross worked hard with us to forge a resolution for the project,” said Jackie Yessian, president of the Neighorhood Association of the Back Bay. “We are very pleased with the solution adopted by the developer and approved by the Board of Appeal that allows the building to go forward within the framework of the height and volume of the existing building. The proposal will be a good addition to the retail district without creating a dangerous precedent for future projects.”
The project will feature up to three floors of high end retail in the lower stories, topped by office space in the upper floors. It was approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority in March. The current garage had been owned by the Ritz until the Taj took over in 2006. The hotel no longer has any association with the garage.
The development team for the project consists of Nader Golestaneh, President of Centremark Properties, Inc.; Dennis Quilty of McDermott, Quilty, and Miller as the legal counsel; and Richard Bertman of CBT Architects, according to the BRA. The total project cost is estimated at between $13 million and $15 million, and construction is expected to take up to two years.

Like an HGTV show come to life, the Boston Design Center’s Dream Home 2008 showcases all the latest design trends and luxury amenities featured in the city’s finest homes. One of the Back Bay’s top interior design firms, Leslie Fine Interiors, was selected to participate in the Dream Home, which opens to the public today, May 2. The Dream Home design installation is on the sixth floor of the Boston Design Center at One Design Place, and admission is free through July 31.
This is the second year for the Boston Design Center Dream Home, which showcases the talents of the area’s top design firms. Each designer worked with one room – Leslie Fine designed the family room – and was charged with creating a room that provides inspiration, aspiration and creative ideas to help consumers refine their own personal style. The “home” is actually a show house within the walls of the Boston Design Center, and an interactive Web site and the opportunity for consumers to purchase Dream Home items brings the experience to life.
Leslie Fine, owner of Leslie Fine Interiors, says she began working on the family room in February and only completed the final installation last week. She says she designed the family room to be the perfect place to read, relax, listen to music or watch a favorite TV show.
“The family room is often the very heart of a home, a space where you retreat after a busy day to gather, relax and reconnect,” she says. “Comfort and function are as important as aesthetics.”
To that end, Fine designed a room that is clean, contemporary and fun. She says she used warm and inviting colors and textures to give a sense of calm, but also incorporated bold patterns in the fabrics and selected furnishings with strong geometric lines to create excitement and vitality.
Fine says the design process was an interesting departure from her typical projects, especially since she did not have a client’s taste and preferences to consider.
“I did take special care to ensure that this would be a very livable room for any person - a room that is very inviting and comfortable and would be a wonderful addition to every home,” she says.
Fine says she is thrilled with how the final room came together, adding that she stayed true to her original plans.
“The actual room is very similar to the original rendering, but even better,” she says. “It's warm, inviting and wonderful!”
Fine and her firm, which has won multiple awards for their work including a Gold Award at the 2007 PRISM awards, has many other projects in the works. The firm just completed work on an exclusive penthouse at the Residences at the InterContinental in Boston. And next up is a complete renovation of a penthouse unit on the waterfront with amazing views of Boston Harbor as well as the Boston cityscape.

High fashion, great cocktails, and amazing food will all be on the menu at Morton’s next Thursday at an event to benefit Tailored for Success, a charity dedicated to increasing the employability of economically disadvantaged women. Organizers hope to raise at least $5,000 at the event which will support the Melrose-based nonprofit organization that serves women in 14 communities, including downtown Boston.
“We are trying to make more people aware of our services, and we are hoping that people leave this event knowing a little more about Tailored for Success,” says founder Elizabeth Hart.
Tailored for Success helps women by offering workshops focused on improving job-hunting skills and by providing them with appropriate professional business attire. She says about 100 women a year benefit from the organization’s services.
“My philosophy is not to serve great numbers necessarily, but to make a difference and a real impact in the lives of the women we serve,” Hart says.
The Morton’s event will feature a fashion show from Max Mara, the Italian fashion house with a store on Newbury Street. Models from John Robert Powers will show the summer collection. Morton’s signature hors d'oeuvres will be served, along with drinks including a special Pink Lady cocktail. The night will be capped off with a silent auction featuring biddable items ranging from sports memorabilia and tickets to items from Morton’s and Max Mara.
Hart says the idea for the event came about when she met with the managers from Morton’s and Max Mara at a charity event last year. The idea of holding an event for women that benefits women around Mother’s Day made sense.
Kelly Kavaler, general manager for Max Mara’s Newbury Street store, says Max Mara has been working with Tailored for Success for five years, hosting an annual coat drive and encouraging clients to donate clothing to Tailored for Success. She says she jumped at the chance to support this event.
“This is about empowering women and getting them back in the workplace,” she says. “It seemed like a good match and we hope it will be a great partnership.”
Kavaler is also excited to showcase Max Mara’s summer collection, which she says is all about crisp linens, defined patterns and jersey dresses.
Hart hopes that if successful, the event will become an annual fundraiser.
“It should be a great event -- great fashion and a great cause,” she says.

The Tailored for Success fundraiser is Thursday, May 8, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Morton’s, The Steakhouse at 699 Boylston St. Tickets are $75. Call 617-266-5858 or purchase at the door.

"He helped me walk taller." "He spread tolerance and understanding." "He made me feel special when he'd call out my name as I walked by." Those were among the testimonials to Joey Santosuosso who is moving on after more than four years of tending to the newsstand at the corner of Dartmouth and Boylston streets.
Reverend Nancy Taylor of Old South Church hosted the farewell gathering on Friday, April 11, as a way of celebrating the vitality, caring, and humor that Joey regularly displayed at "his" corner. An accomplished comedian and poet, Joey Santosousso will still be seen around town at local clubs.