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Transforming Greater Boston: 10 Projects to Watch in 2014

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Shake off that hangover and put on a clean shirt: We've got business to attend to! These 10 projects are in various stages of planning and construction throughout the region, and include such game-changers as the Millennium Tower, the twin spires at the Christian Science Plaza, and everyone's favorite parlor game, the casino-resort in either Everett or Revere. The rest are just as big and buzzy and worthy of watching in 2014.

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Millennium Tower

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The 625-foot, 56-story tower in Downtown Crossing officially broke ground in September, and construction should continue through 2014, with a 2015 opening planned. It's slated to have 450 condos as well as 231,000 square feet of retail.

Fenway Center

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It looked for a bit in 2013 like the five-building, solar-powered, apartment-office-and-retail mega-complex was moving forward after years of financing and legal delays. And then it stalled again in the early fall as developer John Rosenthal went looking for city tax breaks to move forward. The city's thinking about it.

Harvard's Expansion

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Construction commenced in December on Harvard's 1.4 million-square-foot Allston expansion with the groundbreaking at Barry's Corner. The 350,000-square-foot development will include 325 apartments as well as 45,000 square feet of retail and a parking garage fit for 225 cars, all in properties standing between six and nine stories and surrounded by fresh outdoor space. Construction will last through 2014.

Christian Science Plaza Towers

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In early September, the city signed off on a mega-project at the Christian Science Plaza that includes a 691-foot, 58-story tower with 255 apartments, 170 condos and about 250 hotel rooms. When completed, it will be Boston's tallest residential building. Another tower, this one a mere 25 stories, is also part of the 950,000-square-foot scheme. Construction is scheduled to start early this year.

Copley Place Tower

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The city in late October finally approved the stalled 52-story addition to Copley Place. The 625-footer will include 433 apartments and 109 condos as well as a street-friendly retail base. Developer Simon Properties wants to start construction by 2015, so ground could be broken this year.

Government Center Garage Towers

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The city in November O.K.'d the six-building redevelopment of the Government Center Garage into a behemoth of residences, offices and retail sure to reconnect the West End and downtown. We're talking 812 residences; 1.1 million square feet of office space; 196 hotel rooms; and new restaurants and shops, many along the Greenway. The developer hopes to break ground on the first residential tower, a 480-footer, this year. (Earlier rendering courtesy of developer HYM.)

Kendall Square Tower

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Three times now developer Boston Properties has said it's going through with the tower. In the past it's been met with community opposition to its size and scope; and just recently it met with a spot of Cambridge City Council skittishness over selling 8,556 square feet of Ames sidewalk for $2 million. Well, that was worked out in December; and it looks like the 200,000-square-foot, 22-story tower is a go. (The most recent rendering is included.)

1350 Boylston Street

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This puppy's a bellwether for development along Boston's spine. In response to opposition against an office tower, developer Skanska in the summer unveiled plans for an 18-story building with 240 apartments and ground-floor retail. Residents were still not happy. Why? Current zoning laws only allow a maximum height of 115 feet or about 10 stories at the existing site of 1350 Boylston Street. The revised project would be a 195-foot tower. Stay tuned.

The Boston Garden

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Developer Boston Properties and TD Garden operator Delaware North unveiled plans in the fall for a trio of spires around—and connected to—the arena, including a 600-foot, 45-story residential building with 497 units. It has the tax-breaking imprimatur of the outgoing Menino administration, but continues to face local opposition.

Greater Boston Casino

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Take it easy: We only pinpointed a future Greater Boston casino-resort at Suffolk Downs because we can only pinpoint one thing at a time. We know the other contender to host the gambling den is in Everett. The state is expected to decide before the summer on which spot gets the casino-resort.

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Millennium Tower

The 625-foot, 56-story tower in Downtown Crossing officially broke ground in September, and construction should continue through 2014, with a 2015 opening planned. It's slated to have 450 condos as well as 231,000 square feet of retail.

Fenway Center

It looked for a bit in 2013 like the five-building, solar-powered, apartment-office-and-retail mega-complex was moving forward after years of financing and legal delays. And then it stalled again in the early fall as developer John Rosenthal went looking for city tax breaks to move forward. The city's thinking about it.

Harvard's Expansion

Construction commenced in December on Harvard's 1.4 million-square-foot Allston expansion with the groundbreaking at Barry's Corner. The 350,000-square-foot development will include 325 apartments as well as 45,000 square feet of retail and a parking garage fit for 225 cars, all in properties standing between six and nine stories and surrounded by fresh outdoor space. Construction will last through 2014.

Christian Science Plaza Towers

In early September, the city signed off on a mega-project at the Christian Science Plaza that includes a 691-foot, 58-story tower with 255 apartments, 170 condos and about 250 hotel rooms. When completed, it will be Boston's tallest residential building. Another tower, this one a mere 25 stories, is also part of the 950,000-square-foot scheme. Construction is scheduled to start early this year.

Copley Place Tower

The city in late October finally approved the stalled 52-story addition to Copley Place. The 625-footer will include 433 apartments and 109 condos as well as a street-friendly retail base. Developer Simon Properties wants to start construction by 2015, so ground could be broken this year.

Government Center Garage Towers

The city in November O.K.'d the six-building redevelopment of the Government Center Garage into a behemoth of residences, offices and retail sure to reconnect the West End and downtown. We're talking 812 residences; 1.1 million square feet of office space; 196 hotel rooms; and new restaurants and shops, many along the Greenway. The developer hopes to break ground on the first residential tower, a 480-footer, this year. (Earlier rendering courtesy of developer HYM.)

Kendall Square Tower

Three times now developer Boston Properties has said it's going through with the tower. In the past it's been met with community opposition to its size and scope; and just recently it met with a spot of Cambridge City Council skittishness over selling 8,556 square feet of Ames sidewalk for $2 million. Well, that was worked out in December; and it looks like the 200,000-square-foot, 22-story tower is a go. (The most recent rendering is included.)

1350 Boylston Street

This puppy's a bellwether for development along Boston's spine. In response to opposition against an office tower, developer Skanska in the summer unveiled plans for an 18-story building with 240 apartments and ground-floor retail. Residents were still not happy. Why? Current zoning laws only allow a maximum height of 115 feet or about 10 stories at the existing site of 1350 Boylston Street. The revised project would be a 195-foot tower. Stay tuned.

The Boston Garden

Developer Boston Properties and TD Garden operator Delaware North unveiled plans in the fall for a trio of spires around—and connected to—the arena, including a 600-foot, 45-story residential building with 497 units. It has the tax-breaking imprimatur of the outgoing Menino administration, but continues to face local opposition.

Greater Boston Casino

Take it easy: We only pinpointed a future Greater Boston casino-resort at Suffolk Downs because we can only pinpoint one thing at a time. We know the other contender to host the gambling den is in Everett. The state is expected to decide before the summer on which spot gets the casino-resort.