Boston’s skyline has a new landmark in the form of a shimmering skyscraper that rises directly above the restored South Station. Built in 1899, it remains the busiest transit hub in New England. Designed by local architects Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, the original Neoclassical head house and wings were noted as one of the largest train stations in the world when they opened. For a time, they were also the busiest in the United States, before being overtaken by New York’s Penn Station (1910) and Grand Central Terminal (1913).
Designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners, the project involved preserving the original Neoclassical structure while expanding the transport hub. New bus and rail terminals were added, links between existing stations were upgraded, and a modern concourse was constructed.
Rising 51 storeys and reaching 206 metres, the new mixed-use South Station Tower seems to erupt from the historic station like a rocket preparing for liftoff.
“The project represents a forward-thinking approach to urban development, integrating premier commercial and residential space with critical public infrastructure”, explained developer Hines, the Texas-based real estate company behind the project.
The contrast between old and new is striking. Facing Atlantic Avenue, the tower’s rounded front façade gives way to a flat, balconied rear, while two glass-clad side wings rise to about two-thirds of the main height, softening its vertical thrust like folded feathers. From the Financial District to the waterfront, the tower can now be seen across Boston.
Inside, the building combines office space with 166 condominiums managed by the Ritz-Carlton, which occupy the upper 16 floors. Units start at $1.3 million, with duplexes priced between $8.6 million and $15 million. Amenities include ‘sky parks’ 37 metres above street level, featuring pet-friendly lawns, barbecue stations, and landscaped gardens. On the 36th floor, residents will find a 23-metre swimming pool, a sports simulator and club spaces with views of Boston Harbour.
The office spaces in the tower are to be occupied by three tenants: the law firm Jones Day, the insurance firm FM and the financial services company Citadel.
Though the last significant renovation of the station itself took place in the early 1990s, plans to crown South Station with a tower date back to the 1970s. Graham Banks, a partner at Pelli Clarke & Partners, told The Boston Globe, the project had been in the pipeline ever since. “We do huge projects all over the world. I can’t think of one that’s been this complicated”.
Delays were compounded by the 2020 pandemic and construction setbacks. In March 2024, a steel beam plunged nearly 60 metres, and, the following month, a small fire broke out on the ninth floor. Both incidents prompted a full review of safety measures.
Now, after years of uncertainty, Boston’s skyline has its rocket. “We’ve come full circle to a moment where we have made it through all of these challenges,” said Sarah Hawkins, Hines’ East Coast chief. “We are opening what we believe to be the best new building in Boston.”
