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Boston's Back Bay neighbourhood, known for its broad array of Victorian brownstone homes, contains popular shopping destinations that attract residents and tourists alike every day. Situated on 23 acres of Back Bay property, the Prudential Center hosts a mix of office and retail uses, some of which are housed within the city's second tallest building. The rest is spread across a 25-storey building at 101 Huntington Avenue and the 2002-built 111 Huntington Avenue.
The Prudential Center complex has been in the works since shovels broke ground in the 1960's, and now the final piece of the development is coming into place. 888 Boylston has risen from a parcel of land that hugs the Hynes Convention Center, representing the full buildout of the mixed-use complex.
Boston Properties is the developer behind the 17-storey tower, which contains 386,000 square feet of office space, 58,900 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and 85,000 square feet of underground parking. Financial services company Natixis Global Asset Management is the lead tenant anchoring the tower with at least five floors. The Boston Redevelopment Authority granted approval to the building in 2008, but the project fell victim to the economic downturn. It subsequently went through a redesign informed by a number of environmental elements.
The project will be seeking LEED Platinum certification, which should be achievable given the solar panels, rooftop garden, and large wind turbines perched at the top of the building. A rainwater collection system will also be incorporated into the project. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows will maximize sunlight and minimize the need for artificial illumination. Compared to an average office building, 888 Boylston will consume 45 percent less energy and 37 percent less water.
Forum contributor Hub captured the FXFOWLE-designed building as construction nears its end. The exterior is just about complete, with some cosmetic finishing being applied at the base and the top. While it's not the tallest building in Boston, 888 Boylston represents the fourth and final office tower of the Prudential Center complex, one of the United States' most successful urban mixed-use districts.
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