Earlier this week, news was leaked that Simon Property Group, owners of Copley Place, is considering building a new tower at the corner of Dartmouth Street and Stuart Street.

The tower would include a large hotel, as well as residential condominiums.

The Boston Globe, when they broke the story, had few details.

The Boston Courant had much more on the proposal.

According to an article written by Thomas Grillo and published in last week’s issue, there could be as many as 450 condos. The hotel component would be managed by St. Regis Hotels, whose parent company, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, also owns (manages?) the Marriott and Westin Hotels at Copley Place.

The tower would be built in front of, and on top of, the existing Neiman-Marcus department store, on what is now an empty lot.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino was supportive, according to the Courant. “It’s good for the city because it creates jobs and is another economic piece of Copley Square, which continues to grow.”

Others were quick to make clear that they hate the idea, in no uncertain terms.

Peter M. Sherin, chairman of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay, (NAGG), said his organization hadn’t heard anything about the project, but still went on record with some comments.

“We would be concerned about plans for any building of that height,” he said. “It would cast shadows that fall on historic properties, create darkness and wind in the area, be out of scale with the surroundings, and overload already congested streets.”