Located in one of Boston’s densest transit and pedestrian districts, 888 Boylston exemplifies transit-oriented design (TOD)-supportive infill development that leverages proximity to the MBTA Green Line, Back Bay Station, and regional bus connections. The project’s sustainable design features—including energy reduction systems, stormwater innovations, and reliance on non-auto access—demonstrate how high-performance buildings complement TOD environments.
This 17-story mixed-use development features Class A office space and multi-level retail spaces located in the Prudential Center complex on Boston’s renowned Boylston Street corridor. The building includes a rainwater collection system, wind turbines, and solar panels and consumes 45 percent less energy than a typical building of its size, which earned it the title of Boston’s most sustainable building. VHB managed the local technical permitting and the site/civil and transportation engineering for this complex development. Our familiarity with site constraints and the complex local utility systems was key to securing the permits.
Situated over a portion of sub-surface garage and roadway tunnels, the project’s design and construction required extensive coordination. VHB’s technical efforts included a detailed construction phasing plan and the use of injection wells in conjunction with the building’s stormwater management systems. This design helped the development meet the City’s challenging groundwater conservation overlay district requirements on a constrained site. VHB has had a decades‑long role in the broader Prudential Center Redevelopment, supporting the district’s evolution into a highly sustainable, transit‑connected urban destination.
