Back to the drawing board for proposed Downtown Crossing tower

A 59-story tower proposed for Downtown Crossing will have to be redesigned after coming under fire from neighbors and preservationists.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority told Midwood Investment and Development “to consider revisions” to the 705-foot tower the New York-based developer wants to build at the corner of Washington and Bromfield streets.

At that height, it would be one of the tallest buildings in Boston. But critics has raised concerns about its impact on traffic circulation on narrow Bromfield and Province Streets, about its large driveway breaking up Bromfield Street and about the sheer scale of the project. In an e-mail Thursday to people who have commented on the project, BRA staff said those concerns led the agency to ask for changes.

“We have asked [Midwood] to focus on the points brought up by community members including, but not limited to, height, transportation, operational logistics and street scape,” wrote BRA senior project manager Chris Tracy, in an email obtained by the Globe. “Once the proponent has made revisions, they will come back to show BRA staff,” and the agency will re-start the public review process.

Winning over neighbors will be key for the developers. The building needs zoning variances from the Boston Zoning Board of Appeals, which gives critics another venue to try to change or block the project.

In a statement, Midwood said it plans to make some changes and come back soon.

“We look forward to working with city officials and the community as soon as we have a revised proposal,” the company said.