Redevelopment in Kendall Square

CRA Board members and staff celebrate the topping off of 290 Binney Street, a commercial building which is part of the BXP Life Sciences Center. Photo Credit: BXP

The CRA is committed to thoughtful management and development in Kendall Square to ensure the area remains a hub for innovation and grows as a mixed-use community. This work involves managing key projects and partnerships within the area that contribute to the Kendall Square’s vibrant future.

The CRA also works on numerous smaller efforts and project collaborations. The CRA monitors active programming of public spaces in the district, and collaborated with BXP and the Mayor’s Office to host three public history exhibits in 2024.

BXP Life Sciences Center

Construction occurring on MXD Parcel 2 as part of the BXP Life Sciences Center.

The CRA has collaborated with BXP and Eversource on the approval, design, and implementation of the BXP Life Sciences Center development project over the past five years. The project includes locating a new electrical substation within Kendall Square’s MXD Parcel 2, supported by new commercial development to be located at 250 and 290 Binney Street.

In 2024, significant advancements were achieved with the substation’s planning and construction. This substation will function as an underground electrical facility operated by Eversource, with a public Center Plaza constructed above it, and complemented by two upcoming buildings at 121 Broadway (residential) and 290 Binney Street (commercial).

As part of Eversource’s Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP), the CRA highlighted the program’s role in improving electrical reliability, meeting growing energy demands, and expanding access to clean energy in Cambridge.

To accommodate this project, an MXD District rezoning and KSURP Amendment was approved by the Cambridge City Council on February 3, 2021, and a second amendment to the Infill Development Concept Plan (IDCP) was approved in December of 2021. Click here to view the approved IDCP Amendment II Master Plan.

Infill Development Concept Plan Amendment III (Under Review)

MXD Substation Project Documents (Infill Development Concept Plan Amendment II) and Center Plaza

Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan

Kendall Square is the center of Cambridge's innovation economy and continues to evolve rapidly. The district is becoming more active and mixed-use, with growing ground floor retail, streetscape improvements, redeveloped open spaces, and new residential buildings and office/R&D space. The CRA has been instrumental in the transformation of Kendall Square since the 1960's when the CRA and City of Cambridge adopted the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Plan.

The KSURP guided the CRA to transform 42-acres of urban blight into vacant land suitable for development. Using the tools of a redevelopment authority granted through the Massachusetts State Legislature's Chapter 121B, the CRA acquired land, relocated businesses and roadways, demolished buildings, and made public infrastructure improvements. In 1978, the CRA approved Boston Properties as the Developer of the KSURP area. Through development agreements (Parcel 2 & Parcels 3 & 4) between Boston Properties and the CRA, construction of the first new buildings in Kendall began. Click here for more details on the history of Kendall Square's redevelopment. 

Since 1965, the KSURP plan has been amended a number of times by the Cambridge City Council and CRA Board. The most recent major amendment to the plan was passed in December, 2022.

IDCP Amendment II Proposed Massing - Image Credit, Pickard Chilton Architects and Ars Longa

Infill Development Concept Plan (IDCP)

In December of 2022, the CRA Board and Planning Board approved Amendment II to the Infill Development Concept Plan (IDCP) for the MXD District of the Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan (KSURP).

The IDCP is a concept plan required to be created and approved by the CRA and City, as a result of the major KSURP Amendment 10 passed in 2015. The concept plan details the urban design, circulation, and open space of the new development in the MXD District. IDCP documents can be found here, and will be completed in four phases.

Phase One includes the completion of Ames Street Redevelopment, including construction of The Proto residential tower and Pioneer Pedestrian Way, 145 Broadway, which will be the new Akamai headquarters, and the creation of Innovation Space at 255 Main Street. Open space enhancements include improvements to the existing Loughrey Walkway (6th St. Walkway) and the addition of a new bike path.

Phase Two involves demolishing and reconstructing the commercial office building at 325 Main Street, and constructing a new residential building at 135 Broadway. The new residential tower will be located on the south side of the existing Blue Garage, and provide approximately 350 new market rate and affordable housing units.

Public benefit for Phase Two of the IDCP plan include enhancements to the east/west pedestrian connectors in the block bounded by Broadway, Binney and Galileo Way, as well as a new Broadway Park (South Park) in front of the Blue Garage. As part of the 325 Main Street project, the Kendall Square Roof Garden will be completely redesigned and a large public staircase and new elevator will be constructed to connect Kendall Plaza with the Roof Garden via a new second-level public terrace.

IDCP improvements after full build-out

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Phase Three incorporates the demolition and reconfiguration of the North side of the Blue Garage for another smaller residential building. This reconstruction will also allow for improvements to Binney Park (North Park).

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Kendall Square Projects

Within the Kendall Square Urban Renewal Boundary, there are a number of recent reconstruction and planning projects.

Boston Properties completed Ames Street Redevelopments in the spring of 2019. 88 Ames Street, also known as Proto, provides housing and an improved streetscape on Ames Street, connecting to the 6th Street Walkway. The 6th Street Walkway improvements were completed in the fall of 2018, and included a separated bicycle path, a new concrete walkway, and new seating and lighting.

In 2017, Boston Properties began demolition and the construction of 145 Broadway, formerly Eleven Cambridge Center. The building will be complete in the fall of 2019 and will be home to Akamai's global headquarters. 

In 2018, the CRA completed an inventory of privately owned public space and pedestrian easements within the KSURP boundary. The POPS in the MXD District page provides additional details on the locations, agreements and amenities within each space.

There are also a number of exciting Kendall transportation initiatives underway, including the redesign of Binney Street, Broadway and Galileo Way and the Grand Junction Greenway.

The CRA also has a Kendall Square Urban Renewal Implementation Plan, which tracks the CRA's progress to positively impact five focus areas, transportation, open space, economic development, sustainability and housing. To see the updated plan click here!