Beantown Builds in Bulk

Boston has seen an increase of new construction over the past few years, mostly concentrated along the waterfront and its "Innovation District." The Architect's Newspaper has compiled a list of the most high-profile developments in the city.

1 minute read

December 13, 2012, 6:00 AM PST

By Jessica Hsu


Along South Boston's waterfront, the Vertex Pharmaceuticals' headquarters at Fan Pier will be the city's largest commercial lease at $1.1 billion. It will include offices, biomedical research laboratories, retail and restaurant spaces, residential units, a hotel, a park, and a marina. Across the street, the $5.5 million Boston Innovation Center will be "part of Mayor Menino's vision to turn this part of the city into the Innovation District" by offering spaces for companies to hold meetings and host events. The less developed Pier 4 will be boosted by a mixed-use building consisting of a hotel, retail, residential units, and office spaces.

The city has also approved a $2 billion master plan to expand the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center with new hotels, retail and commercial space, and a grass-covered rooftop park. This is part of an effort to boost Boston's ranking as one of the top five cities in North American for conventions, and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority has already purchased six acres of land next to the Center for two mid-priced hotels.

Other developments to watch out for are John Rosenthal's $450 million Fenway Center Development, which is currently fighting the state over a long-term lease, and the conversion of a former department store into the 625-foot mixed-use Millenium Tower, which will be the tallest residential building in Boston once completed.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 in The Architect's Newspaper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

2 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

30 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

1 hour ago - Next City

View of passengers on transit bus at night.

Opinion: Transit Agencies Must View Service Cuts as Last Resort

Reducing service could cripple transit systems by pushing more riders to consider car ownership, making future recovery even less certain.

3 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab