The Backside of America

It’s Really Big, Sometimes Beautiful and Always Worth a Second Look

Saturday, June 25, 2022

I Love L.A.! Part II

From Dave Brigham:

At the end of my previous post about Lower Allston, aka L.A., I asked a teasing question about this post: Will there be any movie stars? I'm happy to reply that the answer is, "No."

When I'm on a mission to shoot cool murals and graffiti, old buildings, historic milestones and ghost signs, I don't want to be distracted by glamorous actresses and ruggedly handsome actors, by cadres of stunt doubles nervously smoking cigarettes while they wait for their moments of danger, by directors yelling "Cut!" and "Action!" from behind superfluous sunglasses. That's not to say that Allston hasn't had its share of movie moments. IMDB lists nearly 40 films and videos that have allegedly been shot in this Boston neighborhood.

Maybe, though, I just wasn't trying hard enough, not hanging around Red Sky Studios long enough.

Located on Everett Street, Red Sky offers two "fully functioning soundstages...wardrobe & makeup rooms, on-stage production space, ample parking, catering space and a working kitchen. As well as, a fully stocked in-house rental house for lighting, grip, expendables and all of your production needs," according to its web site.

I'm not sure any movies have been shot here. "We are currently hosting commercials, still photography, film work, camera tests, corporate events, special events, launch parties, fashion shows and shoots, production office space, build-outs and more."

While you're creeping outside the studio, fill your belly with something delicious from Blackbird Doughnuts, located around the corner on Holton Street.

(The rear of Blackbird Doughnuts, natch.)

Steps away from the bakery is the Boston Fire Department's Special Operations Training Center for Haz-Mat and Tech Rescue.

Serious business goes down here. Haz-Mat is short for hazardous materials, while tech rescue involves rope, confined space, vehicle/machinery, structural collapse, trench and water rescues.

What drew me to L.A. for a second photo stroll was, believe it or not, a relatively modern building on the campus of the World's Greatest University.

I'd wanted to check out the Class of 1959 Chapel on the campus of the Harvard Business School since learning about it a few years ago. The chapel was designed by Moshe Safdie and Associates and completed in 1992. It is used for non-denominational services, ceremonies and concerts, according to its web site. Unfortunately, I couldn't get inside (or maybe I could; I didn't try). It seems like a pleasant oasis for folks who are studying to take over the world.

I love having destinations in mind on my treks through the neighborhoods of Boston, and in surrounding cities and towns. But I also love stumbling across sites that I had no idea existed.

Known as Interconnected, this fantastic work of art by Sophy Tuttle adorns the front of yet another Harvard-owned building, the purpose of which I do not know.

Built in 1941 (or 1899, if you believe the Boston Assessing Department), this place was once the New England Deposit Library, a storage library for a regional consortium of academic and public library systems, including Harvard's. Harvard acquired the building in 2005, according to the Harvard Property Information Resource Center.

Just east of the old deposit library there are two buildings that are part of the Harvard Innovation Labs. Below is one of them. I just couldn't resist taking this picture.

The Hi Labs "are an ecosystem that exists to support Harvard students and select alumni in their quest to explore the world of game-changing innovation and entrepreneurship," per the official web site.

A short distance west of the Hi Labs is a red bovine that I somehow missed on my first walk through this area.

This is the mascot (mas-cow?) of Swiss Bakers, which was founded in 2006 seeking to bring European baked goods to the Boston area, per its web site. There is a second location north of the city, in Reading.

I'm gonna wrap up in the south-central area of L.A., where Cambridge and Lincoln streets come together (for more on Lincoln Street, see May 15, 2021, "A Magic Trek in Brighton," which covers parts of Brighton and Allston).

Foreign Auto Body was founded in 1960 by John Soligan. His son, George, now runs the shop.

Despite the run-down look of the place, quality is Job One with these guys. "Unlike nearly every other body shop in New England, Foreign Auto Body Co. does not use fillers or bondo in the repair of your vehicle," the shop's web site proclaims. "As a result, your repairs will be flawless and as close to original as humanly possible. This artisanship has been passed down through generations and the skill and pride of repairs done at Foreign Auto Body Co. is unmatched."

I hope they stay in business another 60 years.

Steps away is 510 Lincoln Street, the former location of an auto parts business.

If you're a business looking for space, you'll be interested to know this one is for lease. If you're everybody else, you'll be interested to know that this building (and the one next door) represents yet another cool Caleb Neelon project.