T
he Harvard Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) is a transformative development in Boston's Allston neighborhood, redefining the region for innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. Initiated by the Harvard Allston Land Company (HALC) and developed with Tishman Speyer, the ERC will be a hub of collaboration between academia, industry, and the local community.
The 36-acre site, formerly occupied by CSX Transportation, will feature a dynamic mixed-use environment that fosters innovation and inclusivity. The first phase includes:
* Two state-of-the-art laboratory buildings totaling 440,000 square feet, designed to support cutting-edge biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
* A 343-unit residential complex with a mix of market-rate and affordable housing, including 25% designated for households earning between 30% and 100% of the area median income.
* Hotel and conference facilities, including the David Rubenstein Treehouse, a mass-timber conference center designed by Studio Gang.
The ERC will also feature over two acres of public open spaces, retail areas, and community events. The development team includes Harvard Allston Land Company (HALC) and Tishman Speyer as developers, with architectural firms like Studio Gang, Henning Larsen, and MVRDV contributing to the design.
Key players in the project include construction managers Turner Construction, Consigli Construction, and Smoot Construction, along with landscape architects SCAPE and Utile. The ERC aims for LEED Gold certification and has committed to sustainability through low-carbon construction methods and climate-resilient design.
Construction began in June 2023 with a $750 million financing package, marking one of the largest construction financing deals in the U.S. that year. The project is expected to be completed by early 2026, with the David Rubenstein Treehouse opening in Fall 2025.
