Eyesore of an abandoned West Roxbury gas station could be replaced with 20 residential units

The new owner of a long vacant gas station on the triangle where Belgrade Avenue, Beech Street and West Roxbury Parkway come together has filed plans with the BRA for a four-story, 20-unit residential building.

John Douros - who worked at the gas station as a teenager - had originally filed plans for a five-story building that neighbors decried as too big.

All of the units will have two bedrooms; three will be marketed as affordable. The filing does not specify whether the building will consist of apartments or condos.

The project will include 20 parking spaces, on a site within walking distance of two stations on the Needham Line.

In his BRA filing, Douros's architect said the new building would eliminate a neighborhood eyesore:

Over the years there has been considerable frustration over the condition and the future of the site. This project will finally bring an end to that frustration.

The new building will be an esthetically pleasing site on an area that is
considered to be the gateway to the West Roxbury neighborhood. In addition to
the proposed building, Mr. Douros has also been in preliminary discussions with
the Department of Conservation and Recreation about the possibility of adopting and maintain the adjacent grass area. This property is owned by the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and could benefit from some improvements
that could be enjoyed by all in the neighborhood.

The new residential building will also prove to be a tremendous asset to the
West Roxbury businesses. Located within walking distance to Centre Street, the
new residents will provide an additional base for customers to the growing
business district in the area.

The proposal will also include pedestrian connectivity enhancements from the
site to Beech Street and Belgrade Avenue. The proposal will include a widened
sidewalk and additional crosswalk that will safely guide pedestrians across the
street.

400 Belgrade Ave. small-project review application (16.1M PDF).