In the latest phase of development of 1265 Main St., developers propose a boutique hotel beside Prospect Hill Park.
By GABRIELLA FINE
Waltham Times Contributing Writer
1265 Main St., a property once home to a bustling Polaroid factory, is once again the focus of local developers.
The Zoning Board of Appeals in July approved plans to build a six-story boutique hotel on the irregularly shaped lot.
Affidavits of those involved with the project indicate that the hotel will host conferences and visitors associated with nearby life sciences companies. Plans from July show the hotel will have meeting rooms, a gym, a bar, a restaurant and four different types of hotel rooms.
The hotel is a part of “phase II” of development of the former Polaroid campus.
The property poses multiple challenges for economical and efficient development. The most significant issues noted in affidavits include the property’s steepness and “extreme grade changes,” an Eversource easement across the site and its close proximity to Prospect Hill Park.
Building on the site is also 20% more expensive than on comparable sites due to the “extensive site improvements” needed for development, per a memo from attorney Philip B. McCourt Jr., representing 1265 Main Street LLC. 1265 Main Street LLC, or J & Co., is the project’s proponent.
Neither McCourt nor project manager Rick Vallarelli responded to a request for comment.
VHB, a civil engineering consulting firm based in Watertown, presented building plans with architecture by LK Architecture, a commercial architecture firm based in Kansas.
The proposed site is immediately west of Border Road, and Prospect Hill Park is immediately east.
In a Waltham Historical Commission meeting in March, Commissioner Mort Isaacson questioned McCourt about one of the park’s trails being near the edge of the proposed hotel. The hotel’s top floors seem to be about the same height as the trail itself.
In the meeting, Isaacson said, “People who are walking the trail will be looking right into the windows of these top two stories. Now, I’m not sure that the people using the hotel are going to like the idea that there are people walking by looking into their windows.”
Sharing a photo, he explained that the view from the trail will be somewhat obstructed. “I’m not saying it’s a beautiful view … but it is impacting the view,” he said.
The Historical Commission only rules whether a site is historic but cannot determine whether the trial issue is significant enough to alter or deny the plans. The hotel itself would be built entirely within an established commercial zone.
In the past when discussing the construction of the now familiar sites of Market Basket, HomeGoods, Jake n JOES Sports Grille, and other stores, Mayor Jeannette McCarthy has publicly supported development at the site, saying it brings jobs and tax revenue to the city.
The Waltham Ordinances and Rules Committee is scheduled to review the hotel proposal, with the subject expected to be addressed at a public hearing set for Nov. 12.