Comments on: The Hotel Commonwealth

By: Lance Jonn Romanoff

Lance Jonn Romanoff — Thu, 08 Apr 2004 22:38:05 +0000

You thought Fuel was a “gritty coffee house”?

Gritty?

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 02 Apr 2004 16:06:17 +0000

When we’re done this June I hope you’ll revisit and appreciate what is finally here. The future of Kenmore Square with the new trees, bus station, crosswalks and lighting is beginning this fall and with Hotel Commonwealth fully dressed and operating you’ll be pleased I’m sure.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 09 Mar 2004 14:34:16 +0000

How did this ever get past the BRA in the first place? There must have been design models submitted. I’m just amazed that they allowed construction to be completed and then force a change. I agree that one is sorely needed, as this monstrosity looks like it was lifted from the Loire Valley. I’m just wondering what will happen when these guests paying hundreds of dollars a night find they can’t get to the airport in an hour because there’s a Red Sox game.

By: Nedward

Nedward — Thu, 15 Jan 2004 15:49:30 +0000

Thank you for your comment Didi.

The concern expressed was not with the service and beauty on the inside, (which I’m sure is quite luxurious), but rather with the hotel’s looming presence at the heart of Kenmore Square. A gated community can be very pleasant once you’re past the guard.

The Back Bay is full of architectural gems — built from materials that have lasted more than a century. There is a permanence to the neighborhoods.

The developers promised the community that the hotel would match the style and materials of the buildings surrounding the site, which they did not keep.

Whether a tourist enjoys his or her stay at the hotel is a secondary concern for the thousands of people who live and work in the square. For them, it is a knock-off eyesore.

I realize that the hotel is trying to improve its public relations, and I give credit that community concerns were addressed at every stage in the project.

The problem is that PR was PR — the actions and decisions of the developers directly contradict what was coming out of their mouths.

Putting aside animosity, wouldn’t it have been beautiful, had the hotel taken on a more authentic look?

By: Didi

Didi — Thu, 15 Jan 2004 13:55:58 +0000

Hotel Commonwealth was just recognized as one out of ten luxury Best New Business Hotels by Forbes.com (2003). It shows that what is being fixed on the outside, does not reflect the service and beauty of the building’s interior. I hope you will visit soon.

By: nedward

nedward — Fri, 07 Mar 2003 02:38:20 +0000

Well, as Tim can attest, the developers and BU are promising a major facelift before it opens…. I’m holding my breath.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 06 Mar 2003 23:01:56 +0000

I live in NYC now, but my heart is in Boston. I was excited to see the new Hotel Commonwealth when I was home for Christmas. As I drove by it on Beacon St. my first impression was that it looks like an upscale Days Inn. It is cheesy and horribly out of place in the beautiful Back Bay. I say, tear it down and do it again!!
Peter

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 03 Mar 2003 23:53:07 +0000

Your comments are being added to the range of feedback we’ve gotten so far to the building and a major fix is in the works. Thanks.

By: Boston Common

Boston Common — Tue, 25 Feb 2003 23:07:49 +0000

The Hotel Commonwealth

Ned derides what has replaced most of crusty ol’ Kenmore Square: The fact is, this hotel would look pretty good