Located just east of the dense streetscapes of the historic downtown core, Boston's Seaport District was a blank canvas of untapped potential. It's taking visionary minds and political capital to make it happen, but a barren landscape populated by surface parking lots is finally being transformed into a unified masterplanned community with over 20 buildings and a plethora of public gathering places. The 23-acre waterfront lands — dubbed Seaport Square by developers Boston Global Investors, Morgan Stanley, and WS Development — is an active construction site as the first phases of the project charge forward.

One Seaport Square, image via Elkus Manfredi Architects

After beginning construction in 2014, One Seaport Square is among the most visible testaments to the neighbourhood's rapidly changing landscape. The Elkus Manfredi Architects-designed luxury residential and retail development will hold 832 units across two towers of 22 and 20 storeys. Three levels of parking service the site underneath the three expansive retail floors, which form an engaging pedestrian-friendly street wall. Expected to achieve LEED Silver certification following completion in 2017, the development takes prominence along Seaport Boulevard. Glazing has been installed on the lower levels of the easternmost tower, while cladding on its western neighbour has reached the upper floors.

One Seaport Square under construction, image by Adam Zawalich

Elkus Manfredi is also lending their design expertise to 50 Liberty, where Fallon Company is building a 14-storey complementary structure to the existing 22 Liberty luxury condominium. The project utilizes its waterfront location to its advantage by instituting a floor-to-ceiling windowed envelope for maximum sunlight penetration and views galore. The development marks the next step in the 21-acre Fan Pier development, which like Seaport Square, aims to revitalize this underutilized stretch of Boston.

50 Liberty's slender core, image by Adam Zawalich

A more elliptical structure is coming together on the opposite side of Seaport Boulevard, where the concrete core for Skanska's 121 Seaport has risen. The 17-storey project features a glassy design by CBT Architects that offers virtually column-free floor space and a 70-foot-wide pedestrian promenade. Two floors of retail amenities stand adjacent to a three-storey lobby, providing a grand welcome to the LEED Platinum-targeted development. With outdoor terraces and a private gym, 121 Seaport curates the contemporary office environment of today.

121 Seaport's tall concrete core, image by Adam Zawalich

Test glazing panels for 121 Seaport, image by Adam Zawalich

There's even more to come for the fresh-faced district too. California-based Cottonwood Management is establishing their presence along the East Coast with a three-tower scheme set for what were the last uncalled for parcels of land in the master plan. Their proposal calls for 735 residential units split between towers of at least ten storeys, with 125,000 square feet of supplementary retail also being provided. Construction on the project — designed by CBT Architects and Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates — could begin as soon as fall 2016. All three towers would be built in unison working within a three-year construction timeline.

Seaport Square Block M, image via Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates

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