Rendering by Arthur Choo and Co.
A developer has filed plans with the BPDA to replace an old auto-repair place at 34 B St., at West 5th St., with a six-story, $13-million building with 54 "compact" apartments aimed at young professionals and families who are willing to give up some room to live near the Broadway T stop.
Joe Hassell, of Boston Real Estate Capital downtown, has filed under the city's "compact living" pilot, under which developers can build units smaller than normally allowed, with less parking provided - in this case none - on the theory they'll charge less, making the apartments somewhat more affordable.
Hassell's plans include 14 studios of between 311 and 393 square feet, compared to the 450 square feet normally required by Boston. Some 19 one-bedrooms would range between 496 and 620 square feet - the normal minimum is 650. And 21 two-bedrooms would be between 657 and 818 square feet, compared to the normally required 850 square-foot minimum.
Nine of the units would be marketed specifically as affordable.
The proposal includes nearly 4,000 square feet of "shared" interior space. The plans do not specify what this space, required under the pilot rules - would be used for - as well as a 2,200-square-foot roof deck/garden.
The pilot rules also let developers reduce the amount of parking they provide - especially for buildings near subway or train stops. Hassell says the building would be a third of a mile from the Broadway T stop. However, his application adds that because the project will include elimination of what is now a 40-foot-long curb cut, the city will gain some additional on-street parking.
The proposal also calls for 54 spaces for bicycles for residents and another 12 for visitors - as well as a shower and changing room next to the bike-storage area.