Demolition of Ritz Carlton Garage Will Make Way for Shops and Condos

The city's Back Bay Architectural Commission approved plans to tear down the existing Ritz Carlton parking garage at 4 - 6 Newbury Street, and build condominiums and retail in its place.

The demolition will start in the fall - around September or November - and the project should be finished in a about a year, said Richard Bertman of CBT Architects, the firm that designed the new building.

The six-story structure, at 72 1/2 feet tall, will contain six condominiums: four "L-shaped" units and two duplexes. Prices have not yet been set but "they're not gonna be cheap." High-end shops will go in the ground level.

The commission approved the demolition three years ago in 2008, but architects redesigned the building and sought approval for the new look.

Bertman described it as "simple and elegant."

"The intent is to not jazz it up too much, but include subtle architectural details," he said.

The modern limestone building, complete with lots of windows, aesthetic bordering and plans for a roof-deck, won unanimous approval from the board.