The developer of the proposed Loftel at a former industrial building on the corner of Porter and Orleans Street has made some changes to the project that were well received at Monday night’s Gove Street Citizens Association (GSCA) meeting.
At his last appearance before the GSCA, Paul Roiff was confronted with some concerns over parking and the placement of an outdoor restruant at the proposed project that was the former Sterlingwear headquarters on the corner 175 Orleans St.
After listening to the community’s concerns Roiff and his team presented an updated plan to the $20 million project ahead of GSCA’s vote on the proposal next month.
Yanni Tsipis, representing Roiff at the meeting, said the team has reduced the number of guest rooms from 127 to 123. This is the second reduction in the number of rooms. Previously Roiff reduced the number from 150 to 127 and eliminated an entire additional floor from the building.
The proposal now has more parking spaces, up from 65 to 68.
Tsipis said the biggest change was the removal of outdoor seating at the restaurant that will occupy the first floor of the building. Many neighbors felt outdoor seating would create more noise to the abutters of the building.
The development team will also add a shuttle bus to reduce the number of vehicles coming to and from the airport or other locations.
Roiff, owner of such celebrated restaurants as Mistral and Mooo Steak House as well as the renovation of the 1903 Beaux Arts building to create the luxury hotel XV Beacon and The Inn at St. Botolph, wants to convert the former Sterlingwear factory building at 175 Orleans St. into a ‘Loftel”.
“All these changes were the result of listening to the concerns of the IAG that was appointed by the Mayor and elected officials,” said Roiff. “We heard that the height was to tall so we lowered it significantly, which reduced the number of rooms. These other changes allow
s us to address the concerns of the community while satisfying the desire to have something along Orleans Street that brings activity there.”
The project team also added a green roof, and additional lighting to make the building more appealing to the neighborhood that surrounds it while cutting down on noise.