Boston – RODE Architects announced that the project at 1234-1240 Soldiers Field Road was recently approved by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA). The project will bring housing, hospitality accommodations for those visiting the city, and a public space for the community to Lower Allston.
Located at the only above grade crossing between Lower Allston and the Charles River, the 1234-1240 Soldiers Field Road project is designed to act as a gateway, creating an active, pedestrian-friendly connection between the two spaces. The scope consists of the design of four new buildings totaling 450 rental units, 93 condominium units, and 195 hotel keys, strategically integrating with the key public access features of the site, and working with the City of Boston and Allston-Brighton Community to meet the goals of the new Western Avenue Corridor Re-zoning.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic architecture that flanks the Charles River, the project utilizes a language of shifting frames, with a material palette featuring warm wood tones and crisp charcoals. The goal of the architectural design is to create a cohesive complex with each building retaining its own individual identity. The project will be fully electric, and is pursuing LEED Gold for all four buildings; the two buildings on the 1240 SFR parcel are also being designed to Passive House energy standards.
The site design prioritizes pedestrian and bicycle connections throughout the site and over to the Charles River, including collaborating with the DCR to allow for the construction of a new, universally accessible ramp and above-grade crossing on Storrow Drive. Setbacks between 25-30 feet on all public edges of the site are designed to provide space for enhanced sidewalks, dedicated cycle tracks, and planting and seating opportunities. The publicly accessible plaza on Western Avenue, lined with retail space at the ground floor, is designed to create a lively and welcoming open space for the site’s residents and the community and provide the opportunity to host farmer’s markets, concerts, and other community-driven activities.
