Architecture firm Pelli Clarke & Partners has completed a striking 51-story glass skyscraper directly above Boston's historic South Station, creating a dramatic addition to what the firm calls "the busiest transit hub in New England." The 690-foot-tall tower rises from the restored 1899 neoclassical train station, marking a significant transformation of one of Boston's most important transportation centers.
The original Boston South Station, designed by Boston firm Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge in 1899, features a curved neoclassical structure that had received no major upgrades since restoration work in the 1980s. Pelli Clarke & Partners carefully preserved this historic facade while adding new terminals for bus and rail travel, upgrading connections between existing stations, and constructing an expansive concourse to improve passenger flow.
The most prominent feature of the development is the massive glass-clad skyscraper that sits directly above the historic building. Rising 210 meters into the Boston skyline, the tower features a glass curtain wall and a primary volume with a broad, rounded edge facing the street. The building's form tapers toward the back, ending in a flat face that houses residential balconies, creating a sculptural silhouette against the city's horizon.
Symmetrical faceted volumes rise up on either side of the main structure, extending slightly more than halfway up the building and expanding the floor plan. An additional thin protrusion continues almost to the top of the main volume, appearing as if pressed between the faceted volume and the main structure. According to the studio, the skyscraper's form was "sculpted to complement the massing and scale" of the neoclassical headhouse below.
Central to connecting the new and old structures is a massive arched concourse located directly below the skyscraper. This six-story-tall southern entry, called the Great Space, features three concrete domes with a diagrid pattern and ten impressive arches. The exterior of this atrium is covered in corrugated concrete designed to withstand Boston's harsh weather conditions, while the underside of the domes are lined with ringed skylights that provide constant natural lighting to the circulation spaces below.
The development includes extensive new amenities and infrastructure improvements. A new parking garage sits above the expanded bus terminal, which in turn is positioned above the existing train lines as part of the skyscraper's podium. The podium connects the historic station with the preexisting bus terminal and features a glass facade with a cantilevered metal overhang at the top. A landscaped park on top of the podium serves as an outdoor space for the mixed-use tower, which houses residential units, hotel rooms, retail spaces, and various amenities.
"We sought to honor the station's heritage while reestablishing it as a civic centerpiece through progressive design and sustainable construction," said studio co-founder Fred Clarke. "This redevelopment positions South Station as both a vital urban landmark and a symbol of Boston's capacity to adapt, evolve, and lead." The project represents a continuation of the firm's recent focus on glass-clad skyscraper construction, following their recently completed Salesforce Towers in Chicago and Mexico City's tallest skyscraper.
Studio partner Graham Banks emphasized the project's impact on the passenger experience, stating, "The expanded concourse is designed to give Boston the arrival experience a city of its stature deserves – welcoming, expansive, and connected to both its past and future. The new tower reshapes the skyline while thoughtfully complementing the surrounding urban fabric and remaining respectfully attuned to the historic headhouse it rises above."
Construction on the ambitious project began in 2020, with the development officially opening today. The project adds to Boston's growing collection of contemporary architecture, joining recent completions such as the sculptural Ragon Institute by Payette. Photography of the completed project was captured by Jason O'Rear, showcasing how the glass tower creates a striking contrast with the historic stone facade while maintaining respect for the building's century-old heritage.
