East Boston developer proposes residential units on the water near Constitution Beach

In East Boston did a developer
A stately complex decree.

Developer Ryan Acone has filed plans for a three-story, 19-unit two-building complex at 181-183 Coleridge St. with a 22-space garage and a "facility of public accommodation," or community room and a stretch of public Harborwalk.

In a filing with the BPDA, Acone says his proposed $9-million Residences at Coleridge Coast would be "transit oriented" because it is a 15 or 20 minute walk from the Wood Island and Orient Heights Blue Line stations. They would replace what is now a vacant lot.

Because of its location right on the water, Acone is taking steps to deal with rising sea levels over the coming decades, including a first floor that is higher than called for in city sea-rise-related regulations, the placement of mechanical equipment on the roof and creation of "a floodable waterfront park which is able to accommodate periodic storm surge and sea level rise while still allowing water to recede without long term flooding and ponding."

Acone adds the buildings are designed to make them look "more in scale" with the surrounding buildings:

Slenderness of the massing of the two structures allow for light and air to circulate between the buildings and for greater visibility into the site toward the Boston Harbor. Careful articulation of the building massing mediates between the characteristics of the adjacent properties and the proposed project that makes them appear much more in scale with the surrounding context. The architectural design of the Project recalls the details of the context, simplified with sloped mansard-like and gabled roofs, window bays, and proportioned windows. Patterns of materials are also in scale with the materials of surrounding houses, such as siding and masonry.

The filing does not specify if the units will be apartments or condos. Two of them would be rented or sold as affordable.

Acone hopes to begin construction this August, with completion scheduled for September, 2020.

The Residences at Coleridge Coast small-project review application (91M PDF).