The Healthpeak Planned Unit Development (PUD) Master Plan redevelopment project reached a major milestone with unanimous approval of the Final Development Plan from the Cambridge Planning Board, secured after years of collaboration among Healthpeak, Hines, VHB, Elkus/Manfredi Architects, and other project partners. The approval advances one of Greater Boston’s largest redevelopment efforts—more than five million square feet in western Cambridge within a zone referred to as the Quadrangle. VHB supported the local approval process with environmental impact analysis, site civil engineering, transportation planning, and geomatics.
Designed to transform a largely commercial area into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood, the redevelopment will bring together housing, jobs, open space, and improved transportation connections, supporting Cambridge’s long-term vision for sustainable, connected, and resilient growth.
Throughout planning and entitlement, VHB worked with Healthpeak and the consultant team to advance a framework that balanced growth objectives with community priorities, environmental considerations, mobility improvements, and regulatory requirements. VHB’s multidisciplinary team helped inform the approval process through technical studies, transportation strategies, permitting support, site planning recommendations, and stakeholder engagement.
"This milestone reflects years of collaboration, technical problem-solving, and commitment from an incredible team," said Selma Mandzo-Preldzic, Director of Transportation Planning and Operations in Boston. "Brian Fairbanks and Bryan Walsh helped lead the civil engineering effort, while Lauren DeVoe provided steady guidance in navigating the concurrent local approval and state environmental review processes—an important part of advancing a project of this scale and complexity."
The City’s approval represents a major step forward for the redevelopment and highlights the value of integrated planning and engineering solutions in advancing complex urban projects. VHB will continue supporting Healthpeak and the consultant team as the redevelopment moves through remaining regulatory reviews and future implementation phases.
Explore how VHB has helped advance mixed-use developments with partners across our footprint.
