Orpheum Theatre could get a 12-story hotel as a neighbor

City Realty filed plans today to open a new downtown hotel by adding nine stories to what is now a run-down 19th-century office building next to the entrance to the Orpheum Theatre.

The proposed 80-room hotel would sit on Hamilton Place, the dead end that runs from Tremont Street to the theatre's main entrance and a side entrance to the Corner Mall food court. The new floors would be added atop what is now a three-story building.

City Realty bought 7-9 Hamilton Pl. for $7.9 million last year, according to Registry of Deeds records.

The site is currently comprised of a dilapidated 3 story structure dating from the mid 1870's in need of extensive rehabilitation. The proposed project will restore the existing building facade to its former architectural expression with rich period detailing and materials typical in character to those found throughout the Ladder Blocks District. This facade restoration will serve as the base for a new 12-story boutique hotel, grounding the new building within its urban historical context. ...

Due to its use as a hotel, the building will be active 24/7. This operational opportunity allows the ground floor of the building, which is split between the hotel entry court, lobby and a small cafe, to be highly connected to the public realm. An open entry court at the corner of the building effectively widens the narrow sidewalks along Hamilton Place and provides a moment of relief in a busy and congested area. Additionally, a ground level cafe will further activate the streetscape. Large glass storefront windows restored to their period architectural expression will create visual transparence between the public realm and commercial uses and help foster an activated and safe urban way.

The project draws design inspiration from the rich architectural fabric of the Ladder Blocks District. Sculpted stone pilasters, ornate precast detailing and crafted metal bay windows are just a few of the features that create a unique and richly articulated architectural language throughout the area.

This project restores many of these facade features on the historical base elevation and implements a contemporary interpretation of these design moves on the new hotel floors above.

Given the tight site and tall buildings directly adjacent, opening up view corridors and providing daylight for the occupants of the building is a main design driver of the project. A contemporary interpretation of bay windows seen throughout the area not only provides a timeless contextually appropriate design element, but also sculpts the building in such a way as to provide optimal views and daylight to the highest number of rooms possible.

Because of its proximity to subway and bus lines, City Realty has proposed no parking spaces - but eight bicycle spaces.

7-9 Hamilton Pl. filings and schedule.