"Scientologists in a bind over sale of South End building" by Dan Adams Globe Correspondent July 13, 2015
The Boston branch of the Church of Scientology is sitting on a potential gem near the South End-Roxbury line, a historic building that has sparked interest from dozens of potential buyers who want to turn it into the next boutique hotel or luxury condominium complex.
But the Scientologists say they’re in a bind: They want to sell but can’t find an affordable place in Boston to relocate their local headquarters.
The religious group, founded in the 1950s by L. Ron Hubbard, said in December that it would put the dilapidated Hotel Alexandra on the market. But it says it must wait until a new permanent headquarters is found in Boston with at least 50,000 square feet of space — a mandate handed down from the International Church of Scientology.
With prices high and inventory low, that is proving difficult.
And so, after decades of false starts, progress has stalled once again on restoring the boarded-up, fire-scorched eyesore, which dominates one of the city’s most prominent crossroads, frustrating neighbors and city officials.
“In this robust real estate market, it’s unfortunate that the building continues to languish, given its prominence at the gateway between the South End and Lower Roxbury,” said Nick Martin, a spokesman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority. “We remain eager to see the Hotel Alexandra redeveloped so that it enhances the fabric of the neighborhood.”
It's a mixed bag.
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The Scientologists insisted they were committed to the Alexandra, but ultimately could not raise enough money to begin an overhaul they said might cost $17 million.
Even though estimates of the tax-exempt International Church of Scientology’s wealth exceed $1 billion, regional chapters must be financially self-sufficient — yet they are forbidden from borrowing money.
No wonder the ma$$ media make fun of them.
That means it is up the Boston Scientologists to raise funds for their new headquarters from members or the sale of assets such as the Alexandra.
The group is now leasing temporary office space in Quincy Center, which Hall says draws about 200 Scientologists each week.
And rents are up.
An earlier deal to rent space in the Newmarket industrial area of Boston ended with the landlord suing the church....
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Related:
"I was told that my work had become too subjective and- of course- my mention of the divine in my postings was anathema to a confirmed and committed atheist. My postings were often rejected, should any mention of the ineffable come about. I was okay with this because I have no problem with people holding certain perspectives that differ from my own. The spiritual evolution of any personality can take a long, long time, depending on the direction they are headed in. I thought it ironic that this atheist, like 99%, objects most virulently, not to the idea of an overseeing creator, but to the vagaries and vices of organized religion. A subtle mind would easily pick up on the differentiation but for some reason, even seemingly intelligent people, find themselves incapable of distinguishing between the two. What makes this even more strange is that they have no problem rejecting the idea of things beyond the reach of their understanding. Put simply, these people reject god because they want to play god and any competition to that is cast off out of hand. If you are going to be god then there can be no gods before you; just like with the real thing. They have decided that they are Invictus. They believe, “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.” At a certain level and having reached the requisite awareness, this can turn out to be true, after a fashion. It is not true as concerns the ego and its mechanisms of analysis and judgment....
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Just wanted to clear a few things up regarding my views via religion and spirituality.
UPDATE: Boston Scientologists put Hotel Alexandra on market after long delay
