The BRA gave its approval today to an $85-million project to replace the old Circle Cinema complex and the Applebee's in Cleveland Circle with a 162-room hotel and 92 units of mostly luxury housing.

The Boston Development Group has worked with - and often battled - residents for more than three years. Brookline has created a hotel "overlay" zone for the part of the project that would sit in that town.

District City Councilor Mark Ciommo spoke in favor. "It's been several years, a long process," he said. "I think it's a much better project than it was three years ago and even three months ago. ... This is a blighted site, it needs to be redeveloped."

Of the 92 units, 12 will be marketed at "affordable" rates. Initially, the units will be rented as apartments, but Boston Development Group plans to convert them to condos within a year or so after the project is completed.

Developers said they expected the remaining units will be too pricey to attract students, but said that one advantage of having a hotel as part of the complex is 24-hour security and management. "There will not be keg parties in this facility," a company rep promised.

Also planned: Boston Development Group will save the old round and black "CIRCLE" round-letters sign and re-use that on the site.

BRA documents on the project.