In February, shortly after Menino issued thechallenge asking for proposals to build a 1,000-ft tower, thecity's tallest, city officials said they were besieged by callsfrom developers as far away as Europe and Asia inquiring about theproject. In October, 10 local and three out of state builderspicked up proposal packages from the Boston RedevelopmentAuthority. Chicago-based Equity Office Properties Trust was amongthe potential developers. The company owns a high-rise office towernext to the 115 Federal St. garage.

Belkin, however, was the only businessman to enter a proposal.Beyond the building, his plan calls for a one-acre, ground levelpublic park and a 20,000-sf public garden on the building's roof.Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the building. "Today'sproposal promises everything we asked for," Menino says in astatement.

David Begelfer, head of the local chapter of the NationalAssociation of Industrial and Office properties, tells GlobeSt.comit was no surprise Belkin was the sole respondent, given that healso owns an adjacent property at 133 Federal St. which he cancombine with the garage parcel.