2008 Woodie Awards
Former west campus buildings have new life
Kimberly Sanfeliz
Issue date: 10/20/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
Emerson students had taken classes and attended rehearsals at 130 Beacon St. and 67-69 Brimmer St. Now, the buildings house multi-million dollar condominums and a private elementary school, respectively.
The properties were both sold in 2003, a decision which angered some students, especialy those who used the buildings for extracurricular meetings.
"The way that students have suffered from the move is that they are now very focused on how technically advanced the show looks, which is great, but sometimes the content suffers," said senior TV/video major Daniel Coffey, a four-year member and former unit manager of Emerson Independent Video (EIV).
David Rosen, vice president of Public Affairs, said the properties were bought for a combined $17.7 million in 2003. He said the buildings were sold in an attempt to consolidate the campus.
According to Rosen, the rest of the west side of campus, which includes residences at 6 Arlington, 100 Beacon and 132-134 Beacon streets, as well as the Student Union at 96 Beacon St., will go on sale in the spring of 2006.
Rosen said the buildings might be bought as soon as summer 2006.
To replace the west side properties and complete the "Campus on the Common," Emerson will open two new residence halls in the Theatre District.
The Piano Row building, set for completion in the fall of 2006, will not only include dorms, but also a new student union, dining hall and basketball court.
The Paramount Center, scheduled to open in 2008, will contain the renovated Paramount Theatre, as well as new dorms and rehearsal space.
In June 2003, 130 Beacon St. was sold to The Beal Companies for $11.5 million, according to Stephen Faber, vice president of Asset Management for the Boston-based real estate group.
The college purchased 130 Beacon St. in 1933 and used the space for administration offices and classrooms. Before its sale, the building also served as the base for several organizations including The Emerson Review, The Berkeley Beacon and EIV.