Developer not sold on downtown

Not everyone is moved by the momentum in Boston's Downtown Crossing.

A New York developer who filed plans for a 28-story apartment and retail tower on Washington Street four years ago — in the teeth of the Great Recession — is not yet sold on the shopping district's recovery.

"We wouldn't consider doing anything until that hole across the street is filled," said John Usdan, president of Midwood Management, referring to the partially demolished Filene's block.

Another New York developer, Millennium Partners, won city approval in September to replace that eyesore with a skyscraper as part of a $620 million project that's on track to start next spring with the restoration of the adjacent Burnham Building.

But that's not enough for the $200 million One Bromfield project to make a comeback.

"We don't have a particular time-frame other than when we think conditions have improved enough," Usdan told the Herald. "We just don't think it's viable yet."

According to Midwood's mothballed plans, the developer would replace four buildings at the northern corner of Bromfield and Washington streets with a tower containing 260 luxury apartments atop several levels of retail and parking.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino trumpeted the project during a tour of Downtown Crossing in July 2008 — a promotional event that coincided with the excavation of the former Filene's building for New York developer Vornado Realty Trust's ill-fated One Franklin project.

Rosemarie Sansone, president of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, said she hasn't heard anything about the One Bromfield project "for ages."

"It is a very important location and, based on the interest and activity in the district, I would expect something to develop in the near future," she said.

A tenant in one of the Midwood-owned buildings that would be replaced is in a wait-and-see mode.

"I'm sure they'd like to do something," said Fred Rosenthal, owner of Bromfield Pen Shop. "The building is empty except for me and Payless Shoes."

In addition to the Millennium Tower project at the Filene's site, Downtown Crossing has seen a string of successes this year including the construction of the Millennium Place condo tower, Walgreens' announced takeover of the shuttered Borders store, a Chicago developer's plans for a boutique hotel and Lafayette Corporate Center switching space back to retail.

"There's a lot to celebrate, but it's just not going to happen all at once," said David Begelfer, CEO of commercial real estate group NAIOP Massachusetts. "Companies are going to be cautious. They're not going to get ahead of themselves. We'll see some of these projects come closer to completion before others start."

Midwood's Usdan needs physical proof that Downtown Crossing has turned the corner.

"I want to see foundations poured," Usdan said from his Manhattan office. "Call me when you see some shovels."

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