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An architect’s rendering of a new condominium project Stuart Bornstein wants to build on Hyannis Harbor.
HYANNIS – Members of the Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District Committee say do do not like the modern look of a condominium project proposed by developer Stuart Bornstein.
The 33-units Bornstein wants to construct at the corner of School Street and South Street in Hyannis are divided into nine buildings that are three stories high.
The condominiums are designed to be luxury waterfront units with three of the units priced as workforce housing.
Committee members Marina Atsalis, David Colombo and William Cronin, who is president of the Greater Hyannis Civic Association, suggested the architect add some Cape-style details to the buildings.
“It’s too big and too ugly,” Cronin said.
But Elizabeth Whittaker, the architect hired by Bornstein, said she was trying to bring a fresh, contemporary look to Main Street.
“I hear you all loud and clear. We’re not trying to deface the waterfront. With all due respect, you have eclectic buildings near the site,” she said.
She also said that adding old-fashioned details to such large buildings would not look right.
“It becomes kind of grotesque when you start detailing a big building like a Cape house,” she said.
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Developer Stuart Bornstein stands at right as members of the Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District discuss his plans. Commission Chairman George Jessop, at left, talks to architect Elizabeth Whittaker, while committee member Marina Atsalis is at right. Taking the meeting’s minutes is Administrative Assistant Karen Herrand at far left.
Bornstein said he is trying to build a high-quality development in a depressed area of Hyannis.
“We wanted to build something that makes a statement for downtown, because downtown doesn’t have a statement,” Bornstein said. He said he has traveled to harbors around the world by boat and Hyannis Harbor does not compare. “It’s a fairly ugly harbor,” he said. “This adds a great element to our harbor. It would bring some respectability to Hyannis.”
Bornstein disputed the fact that the area has a Cape Cod look. “There’s nothing historic downtown. It’s a mess. Three-quarters of it should be bulldozed,” he said.
But Colombo, who owns several restaurants in town, objected. “Hyannis is not perfect. We like old Cape Cod. People come here for old Cape Cod.This is an important piece of land. I don’t want to throw the towel in on old Cape Cod. Let’s not give up on Hyannis,” he said.
Bornstein said he is frustrated by the committee members who say they want the project to have a Cape Cod look.
“I’m 73. We put our hearts into this. This was 18 months of work. I’ll probably license it as a parking lot,” he said.
Bornstein said the $30 million development will clean up a blighted area and generate tax revenue for the town.
Rather than vote against it, members of the committee asked Bornstein to grant them more time. After first saying he was going to give up on the project entirely, he agreed to allow the committee to continue the meeting to September 16.
By LAURA M. RECKFORD, CapeCod.com News Editor
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