Boston's Belkin Nixes Rudolph Demolition

As we mentioned back in December, plans to tear down Paul Rudolph's 133 Federal Street in Boston (also known as the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Building) by developer Steve Belkin were in jeopardy due to the worsening economy.

Things had begun to look brighter for the future of the building shortly after Renzo Piano walked away from his original design for Trans National Place at Winthrop Square in March of 2007. Undeterred, Mr. Belkin asked his associate architect to continue with the design - which included the demolition of Rudolph's building for a "public square" adjacent to the proposed tower.

Then came a series of "unfortunate" events - the city's transfer of an adjacent parking garage fell through, the aviation administration even going as far as to label the new tower as a flight hazard to nearby Logan International Airport.

Now, the Boston Business Journal reports that Mr. Belkin has revised the building design so that Paul Rudolph's historic office building will not fall under his wrecking ball.

According to the paper, Boston Redevelopment Authority Director John Palmieri stated the developer will submit a revised plan to the agency in upcoming months.

The Paul Rudolph Foundation and fans of the architect's work can stop holding their breath and let out a collective sigh of relief. Sources had reported that tenants in the Rudolph building had been given lease extensions, but that the expiration dates were flexible enough should the developer need to clear people out in a hurry. We had also heard that the building had floors unoccupied just in case. Now, the developer plans to move back into the building according to a company spokeswoman.

Stay tuned - the Foundation will post more information here as soon as we get it.