The construction of the building housing Abercrombie and Fitch, Pacific Sunwear and Finagle-a-Bagel on the block bordering the center of the Square had similar stipulations, including one that the

facade of the building be preserved.

Cambridge civic observer Glenn S. Koocher '71 said that the same regulations applied in the case of Palandjian's property but were less strict because the original building had only been on the site for 50 years.

Koocher said that the key for developers who want success in obtaining building permits in the Square is to befriend activists like Gifford.

"I suspect that deep underneath some of this, well-connected developers and people who are connected to the politically correct element in the Square are more successful than others," Koocher said.

"If you can assuage the Pebble Giffords of the community, some of your development issues and problems can go away. People seem to think they need to assuage people like her," he said.

Gifford, who did not return calls for comment last night, told The Globe that she was not happy with the appearance of the building but said that Paladjian had been easy to compromise with and ultimately the project turned out for the best.