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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight