From Dave "Rat Pack" Brigham:
Most recently home to the Felt nightclub, this building at 533 Washington Street in Boston's Downtown Crossing/Theater District area, has, like many buildings in the Hub, a varied and interesting history. Shuttered for more than six years, this beautiful edifice rose in 1866 as the home of the Weed Sewing Machine Company on the upper floors, and various men's clothing stores at street level, per this 2016 project notification form filed with the Boston Redevelopment Authority.
Felt, from what I've been able to glean from the Internet, sought to bring Vegas-style glitz and cheesiness to downtown Boston, with pool tables, a lounge, international DJ's, cushy banquettes and an invitation to the ladies to "Let your hair down. Hike your skirt up." I'm not sure how long it was open. Various other clubs operated here dating back to 1960, according to the Internet.
Not long after its closing, which came about because of murkiness around ownership, the owners indicated that no fewer than five parties expressed interest in replacing Felt with a new club. Then, in 2016, a new owner of the building announced plans to build a 30-story "pencil tower," retaining the four-story original facade. The building would have featured 94 apartments, a restaurant and non-profit incubator space.
Would the architect and builders of this edifice have imagined, back in the 1860's, when 533 Washington Street went up as an annex to the well-known Adams House hotel, that one day it would raise up more than 300 feet and house the extremely well-to-do?
Probably not. But that rhetorical question may be moot, as the latest I've found about the project indicates that the owner will "perform interior updates to revitalize former home of the Felt nightclub to more modern uses. Permit application calls for the addition of a bar and restaurant in the basement and 1st floor as well as a creative office space."
I like the sound of that much better.
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