While waiting for the bus at Mass Ave and Washington Street in the South End, we used to always wonder why an entrepreneur never converted the former Alexandra Hotel into high-end condos. It wasn't for the lack of effort.

A 2006 Globe piece documents the building's long, troubled history, describing an "old Gothic goddess [that] now stands out on the corner as an over-the-hill vamp, wearing graffiti like smeared lipstick. Redevelopment is passing it by."

Where commercial developers have failed, perhaps the Church of Scientology will be able to succeed. They recently bought the building, and are planning extensive renovations that would allow them to move their Boston headquarters from the current location on Beacon Street in the Back Bay.

The New Yorker detailed the Church's extensive redevelopment efforts in Hollywood, and suggested that--like most religious groups--they reach out to communities in an attempt to create good will amongst the neighbors. The piece said that "rehabilitating elegant old buildings serves both as a powerful means of repairing its reputation and as a tangible metaphor for that work."

Scientology isn't new to the neighborhood--they have a storefront operating a few doors down from the former hotel. If you're not familiar with the building or the area, check out following short video, shot while waiting for the bus: