Thurs., 3/15/12: Dudley Square's Ferdinand Building

Dudley Square's Ferdinand Building
Located in the heart of Dudley Square, the Ferdinand Building has been witness to 117 years of Roxbury history. It was originally constructed in 1895, on a wedge-shaped piece of land between Warren St. and Washington St. It housed the Ferdinand Blue Store, which sold carpets, furniture and housewares. But the iconic building has since fallen into disrepair and has been mostly vacant for 30 years. Renovations have been repeatedly stalled.

Now, new plans have taken hold - a $115 million plan to redevelop Ferdinand and two adjacent buildings is going forward, architects have been chosen and ground has been broken. The city says it will be finished by 2014, and the old department store site will house the Boston School Department headquarters in a completely renovated building. Today we hear all about the changes afoot in Dudley Square.

GUESTS
  Tito Jackson, Boston City Councilor representing Boston's 7th district, which includes Roxbury's Dudley Square
  Ted Landsmark, president of the Boston Architectural College, on the jury to review and evaluate design submissions for the Ferdinand Building