I bet Ted knows a lot more about this, but to answer Kristine’s question on the previous West Newton Square thread, I was actually wondering the same thing myself and was going to write about it, before getting distracted by the Globe’s beautification article. I’ve been driving by this lot practically every day since Galaxy Auto Body moved out, i.e., years.
Two parcels on the corner, 111 Elm St. and 8 Border St., are owned by Border Trust, Constantine Taleas Trustee, according to the Assessor’s Database. What follows is basically from Googling his name. This 9/18/11 Boston Globe article may be one of the articles Kristine saw. Constantine Taleas also owned the Mango Thai building (it’s a different trust) and wanted to build a similar mixed use building on the vacant lot and connect the two buildings. It appears from this Dec. 5, 2011 Reports Docket that the project was approved except for the part about waiving lighting requirements for outdoor parking, that was ‘withdrawn without prejudice,’ which I believe means they were planning to resubmit. Sadly, it seems Mr. Taleas died on Dec. 16, 2011. Maybe the family is still dealing with estate matters. Maybe no one else is ready to take on the project.
It’s a great location, across the street from commuter rail, walk to cinema, many good restaurants (must go to Mango Thai again). You could even walk to Trader Joe’s for your grocery shopping. So it is strange to see it unused for so long. By the way, those boards in the photo don’t appear to have anything to do with the parcel; I think it’s part of National Grid’s staging area for the new gas main they’ve been laying down Webster Street.
Julia, I am so glad you posted this. Mr. Taleas’s mixed use retail/residential development on Elm & Border has been one of my all-time favorite special permit projects, from the moment their attorney came to me to show me the plans, for many of the reasons you mentioned. And it was in my neighborhood, to boot! Mr. Taleas wanted this to be his legacy, and it is truly sad that he passed away before it could be built, although he lived long enough to see the special permit granted unanimously by the BOA.
So, I am happy to say that the Taleas family has come back in for an extension so that they can actually do the project. My understanding is that they have almost everything else they need in place in terms of financing, a builder, etc., and that the extension is the final piece.
So, if all goes well, construction should start soon. Please stay tuned.
That’s great news, Ted. I live 2 blocks away from that lot and I’ve been really hoping that there would be some movement on this project.
You’re right, Julia! It is such a great location and it will only make West Newton more “hopping.”
Kristine, I was looking for a rendering on the city website but unfortunately all of the older special permit applications have been archived. Some of the nice features were an archway driveway on Border to the parking lot, which will be behind the building and not be visible from the street, a modern design using modern materials which still fits in with the older buildings on Elm, three retail stores on the first floor, four resdential units, a “green” roof, and of course the location is to die for.
Imagine going downstairs, having dinner at one of the many fine establishments in the village, catching a film at the cinema, maybe a night cap, and then heading back upstairs to your little slice of heaven in West Newton.
That is really good news, and that his project was so well-received. Can’t always go by pictures, but he looked like a nice guy in the Globe article, and the obit said he was a Korea War veteran, so he must have been around 80, and he was still working on this project!
Ted, Kristine and Julia
It’s nice to see your interest in our project.
Our Dad Constantine was an amazing man. He wanted more than anything to see this project through. Unfortunately he passed before construction began. As you said Ted, he was around long enough to see the Special Permit issued and was very pleased. In honor of our Dad, we will name this Constantine Place. The building will be a beautiful addition to the Square.
We have run into so many obstacles slowing down the project and we continue to. But we are managing to succeed, just taking much longer than we would like.
Thank you for your support.
Maria Paul
Representing the Taleas Family
Any updates on this? Those storefronts have been vacant for so long. I would love to see stuff go in.