Kendall Square, Cambridge
Boston/Cambridge/Somerville
The Kendall Square site is a ten-acre property in the heart of a district generally known and Kendall Square and framed by the MIT campus, the Charles River and the East Cambridge neighborhood. Lyme Properties, a prominent developer of Life Science Laboratories, retained Ken Greenberg (then a Partner in Urban Strategies) to lead the master planning effort to create a new vision for the site. Working in close consultation with the City of Cambridge and the local community, a plan was developed which was broadly endorsed and received final planning approval in 1999. The concept envisions a highly urban mixed-use community comprised of biotech labs, a four-star hotel, residential, and a range of street-related amenities and retail uses intended to take advantage of the unique waterfront location and encourage pedestrian activity throughout the day and evening. Respecting the surrounding urban fabric, the 1.4 million square foot development on six urban blocks will reinforce connections to Kendall Square and the Charles River. The plan is being implemented; four international design competitions have produced an exceptional complement of architects and landscape architects and buildings and landscapes by Behnisch and Behnisch of Stuttgart, Stephen Erlich and Anschen and Allen of Los Angeles, and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates of Cambridge. The plan has bee built out including the LEED Platinum-rated Genzyme headquarters.