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Downtown Crossing's Tall New Towers, Mapped

By Tom Acitelli
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By Tom Acitelli
2 comments / new

There are fewer areas of Boston seeing more large-scale development than relatively tiny Downtown Crossing. Spires such as the almost-done Millennium Tower and the proposed One Bromfield (and the nearby Winthrop Square Garage redevelopment) could finally pivot the neighborhood away from its 9-to-5 feel and toward a more 24-7, work-live environment. Or maybe not. Whatever the vibe on the ground, unmistakable change is evident in the air.

That change has some residents and officials concerned about the pace and scope of development in Downtown Crossing. Are these towers too tall? Not tall enough? And what if more join them, as the city expects will happen? For now, here is a map of the five biggest developments either planned or underway in the neighborhood. We expect to update this.

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Millennium Tower

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The 685-foot condo tower that's upending the definition of pricey in Boston (its biggest penthouse is in contract for $37,500,000) is expected to open this year.

426 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108

One Bromfield

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The spire would run to 683 feet and contain 419 apartments and condos. Nothing's finalized yet, and something has been on the drawing board for this parcel for about a decade. But the would-be developer, Midwood Development & Investment out of New York, recently released the fresh 683-foot plans, likely because of the success of nearby Millennium.

1 Bromfield St, Boston, MA 02108

171 Tremont Street

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Developer Maurice Dabbah recently scaled back his already revised plan for a 255-foot, 20-story tower to one reaching 235 feet and 19 stories (containing 17 condos and a first-floor lobby). The proposal still faces opposition from those concerned about its possible shadows.

171 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108

533 Washington Street

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The 302-foot, 30-story building would have 94 apartments on top of a two-story restaurant and two floors of office space targeted toward start-ups. Given the relatively tiny footprint for such a tall spire (3,648 square feet), it is being dubbed a "pencil tower" not unlike those sprouting throughout Manhattan right now. Developer Rafi Properties wants to start construction in mid-2017.

533 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111

Winthrop Square Tower

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There are several proposals to redevelop the city-owned Winthrop Square Garage. At least three proposals call for a 750-foot tower at the site, and one calls for a 780-footer (the below rendering is of one of the 750-foot ideas). These spires would presumably be a mix of residential and commercial.

240 Devonshire St, Boston, MA 02110

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Millennium Tower

426 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108

The 685-foot condo tower that's upending the definition of pricey in Boston (its biggest penthouse is in contract for $37,500,000) is expected to open this year.

426 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108

One Bromfield

1 Bromfield St, Boston, MA 02108

The spire would run to 683 feet and contain 419 apartments and condos. Nothing's finalized yet, and something has been on the drawing board for this parcel for about a decade. But the would-be developer, Midwood Development & Investment out of New York, recently released the fresh 683-foot plans, likely because of the success of nearby Millennium.

1 Bromfield St, Boston, MA 02108

171 Tremont Street

171 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108

Developer Maurice Dabbah recently scaled back his already revised plan for a 255-foot, 20-story tower to one reaching 235 feet and 19 stories (containing 17 condos and a first-floor lobby). The proposal still faces opposition from those concerned about its possible shadows.

171 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108

533 Washington Street

533 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111

The 302-foot, 30-story building would have 94 apartments on top of a two-story restaurant and two floors of office space targeted toward start-ups. Given the relatively tiny footprint for such a tall spire (3,648 square feet), it is being dubbed a "pencil tower" not unlike those sprouting throughout Manhattan right now. Developer Rafi Properties wants to start construction in mid-2017.

533 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111

Winthrop Square Tower

240 Devonshire St, Boston, MA 02110

There are several proposals to redevelop the city-owned Winthrop Square Garage. At least three proposals call for a 750-foot tower at the site, and one calls for a 780-footer (the below rendering is of one of the 750-foot ideas). These spires would presumably be a mix of residential and commercial.

240 Devonshire St, Boston, MA 02110