Cambridge Day reports the owner of the Middle East in Central Square wants to buy the building the club is in. To pay for the purchase, he says he'd want to add four or five stories of residential units above the club.
This is a great idea, adding a few stories to the low rise buildings on Mass Ave is an easy way to add housing in an area with great public transportation options that needs every bit of housing available to meet demand.
Is Cambridge really going to allow them to build this without any off-street parking?
Despite all their talk of transit- and pedestrian-friendly development, in practice Cambridge has still required developers to include off-street parking in recent projects, even very close to T stations.
I used to live above a sports bar in Waltham that had often had live bands on Friday or Saturday nights. When I moved in, the landlord assured me that there was 12" of concrete between the bar's ceiling and my floor, so the sound shouldn't be a problem.
To his credit, the sound didn't come from the floor. It came up through the walls. Whenever a band was playing, it sounded like they were in the very next room. I mentioned to him once that it's a lot louder than I expected, but I never complained or demanded that the bands play quieter. I was the one who decided to live above a bar, the bar didn't move in after me. Once I found a better (quieter) place, I moved out.
Any tenant would have to sign a waiver understanding that they are living above a rock club and needn't call the police when the 2015 Pop Will Eat Itself reunion tour cranks it up a bit. Going to need lots of foam between floors one and two at this place.
Somebody lives directly above the stage of Great Scott... presumably for a reduced rate. And the old Abbey Lounge in Inman Square had apartments over it.
People in Sandman Square (that block that houses the Middle East and TT's) have been apprehensive about the building's future for years. The longstanding rumor was that MIT would buy it, tear it down, and build something new with chain businesses and office space.
before the entire area is just an extension of MIT and/or Harvard. Chain stores, boutiques, soulless bars/clubs, high-end condos, and bio-tech labs as far as the eye can see. Hell, it's practically that already! The transformation will most likely be complete within the decade.
Comments
As long as the club remains
As long as the club remains intact, I'm ok with this.
#CambMA #CityCouncil minutes from Sept. 16, 2013 (scanned)
John Hawkinson @johnhawkinson 30 Sep #CambMA #CityCouncil minutes from Sept. 16, 2013 (scanned)
https://twitter.com/johnhawkinson/status/384799220...
This is a great idea, adding
This is a great idea, adding a few stories to the low rise buildings on Mass Ave is an easy way to add housing in an area with great public transportation options that needs every bit of housing available to meet demand.
Is Cambridge really going to
Is Cambridge really going to allow them to build this without any off-street parking?
Despite all their talk of transit- and pedestrian-friendly development, in practice Cambridge has still required developers to include off-street parking in recent projects, even very close to T stations.
I look forwards to reading
I look forwards to reading about the complaints of new residents who are shocked, SHOCKED that there is live music in their very buildings!
Been there...
I used to live above a sports bar in Waltham that had often had live bands on Friday or Saturday nights. When I moved in, the landlord assured me that there was 12" of concrete between the bar's ceiling and my floor, so the sound shouldn't be a problem.
To his credit, the sound didn't come from the floor. It came up through the walls. Whenever a band was playing, it sounded like they were in the very next room. I mentioned to him once that it's a lot louder than I expected, but I never complained or demanded that the bands play quieter. I was the one who decided to live above a bar, the bar didn't move in after me. Once I found a better (quieter) place, I moved out.
Let's not hope for a Penny Savings Bank repeat
Any tenant would have to sign a waiver understanding that they are living above a rock club and needn't call the police when the 2015 Pop Will Eat Itself reunion tour cranks it up a bit. Going to need lots of foam between floors one and two at this place.
Somebody lives directly above
Somebody lives directly above the stage of Great Scott... presumably for a reduced rate. And the old Abbey Lounge in Inman Square had apartments over it.
People in Sandman Square (that block that houses the Middle East and TT's) have been apprehensive about the building's future for years. The longstanding rumor was that MIT would buy it, tear it down, and build something new with chain businesses and office space.
Perfect
If you work in the restaurant / bar industry or on the swing-shift and go to bed at 5:00 am.
While it would be perfect
the odds of a bartender or waitress being able to afford one of the units will, most likely, be slim to none.
Just a matter of time
before the entire area is just an extension of MIT and/or Harvard. Chain stores, boutiques, soulless bars/clubs, high-end condos, and bio-tech labs as far as the eye can see. Hell, it's practically that already! The transformation will most likely be complete within the decade.