Summary

Design Review Board reviews signs and major projects

WellesleyJan 7, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The board unanimously approved the landscape and architectural portions of a temporary modular residence project for 150 students, with recommendations for added outdoor gathering spaces, better corridor daylight, clearer building identity, and metal roofing. It also approved several sign applications with design changes, while continuing the Clarendon Fine Art applications for further architectural review.

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Design Review Board

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EducationCommerceHousing

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What this means

The temporary residence project at 106 Central Street is intended to house 150 students for 8 to 10 years and will replace the unused Dower Hall site. The board approved the project’s landscape and architecture components with recommendations, including more patios, seating, bike racks, natural light, and improved building identification. The board also approved sign proposals at several properties, generally with adjustments to lettering, logos, placement, or color. A proposal to create 19 residential units at 592 Washington Street was presented, but the excerpt does not record a board decision.

Key decisions

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Approved the Virsa the Punjab sign application at 99 Central Street, recommending use of the existing metal sign space and placement of the logo beside the text.
Approved the New World Opera freestanding sign at 307 Washington Street, recommending that the logo be enlarged to reduce excess white space.
Approved the Down Under School of Yoga signs at 151 Linden Street, with the possibility of slightly darkening the background color for readability.
Approved the D'Arcy Wellness sign at 277 Linden Street, recommending smaller lettering.
Approved temporary Mona Dermatology window coverings at 71 Central Street, recommending wording such as "coming soon" to clarify the signage is temporary.
Approved the Rutledge Properties sign at 572 Washington Street, recommending that it fit within the storefront opening and not extend into the side glazing.
Continued the Clarendon Fine Art sign and minor construction applications at 25 Central Street for further design review focused on respecting the building's architecture.
Unanimously approved the landscape portion of the 106 Central Street modular residence project with recommendations for outdoor gathering spaces, site amenities, and improved building orientation.
Unanimously approved the architecture portion of the 106 Central Street modular residence project with recommendations for clearer building identity, more natural light in corridors, and consideration of metal roofing.

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