Once upon a time, mall giant Simon Properties planned to plunk a 625-foot tower atop Copley Place in Back Bay.
The spire, which was due to include 542 condos and apartments as well as retail, would have been one of the 10 tallest buildings in Boston by 2020.
Simon pulled the plug in October. The move capped a decade of planning, planning that survived the Great Recession as well as vociferous neighborhood opposition.
Why the ax? Construction costs and a fear on the part of Simon that the city’s luxury residential market was/is slowing—a fear that may, in fact, be justified.
- Copley Place tower developer abandons plans for 625-foot spire [Curbed Boston]
- Boston's 10 tallest buildings by 2020, mapped [Curbed Boston]
- Boston’s residential construction boom: It would be very bad news if it’s peaked [Curbed Boston]