The centerpiece of a new life science cluster in Boston, Riverside Square provides the neighborhood with much-needed vibrancy by “Giving Science a Soul.”
Spanning almost two million square feet, the multi-building project is organized around a public plaza lined with amenities. The development is reinforced with social and cultural activators, creating an inviting and inclusive destination among an integrated lab ecosystem. The complex comprises four lab buildings, featuring a mix of floorplate sizes and scales to attract a variety of tenants. The tallest of the four buildings rises 26 levels, making it the highest in the area.
Prioritizing public use and accessibility, the campus includes a pedestrian arcade, a maker space, a collaborative atrium, and a hotel with a bar and lounge, allowing the development to serve as a vibrant urban center as well as a life science destination. The outdoor spaces, which span over an acre, include seasonal programming and public art so that Riverside Square attracts visitors year-round. The blend of retail and lab increases accessibility to science and research, removing the barrier between sectors. The development follows a flexible “H” circulation network that creates social and cultural hubs enhanced by outdoor space, expanding the pedestrian spaces along the main boulevard into the campus.
The campus engages with the community by offering affordable lab space local businesses can lease within the technology incubator. These labs will also commit to local hiring, developing the workforce in the area. 20% of the housing and 10% of the retail space will be affordable, fostering small business.
