List of tallest buildings in Cambridge, Massachusetts explained

Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County in eastern Massachusetts, United States. Located on the northern shore of the Charles River, it is also a major suburb of Boston, the state capitol and regional financial center. It has a population of 118,403 (2020) and a growing number of high-rise buildings.

Tallest buildings and structures

This list ranks Cambridge buildings that stand at least 200 feet (61 m) tall, based on height measurement criteria established by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) and Emporis.com. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts, roof top signs, flag poles or other functional-technical equipment. An equals sign (=) following a rank indicates the same height between two or more buildings. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was completed. Freestanding towers, guyed masts and other not habitable structures are included for comparison purposes; however, they are not ranked.

RankNameImageHeight
ft (m)
FloorsYearArchitectAddressNotes
01.01Graduate Tower at Site 4315feet29202045 Hayward StreetTallest building in Cambridge since April 2, 2019.https://www.turnerconstruction.com/projects/mitimco-mit-south-of-main-soma-site-4-building[1] [2]
2Akamai Technologies Global Headquarters297feet202019Pickard Chilton145 Broadway[3] [4]
3Boston Marriott Cambridge290feet261988Moshe Safdie & Associates2 Cambridge Center, Area 2/MITTallest building built in the 1980s.[5] [6]
4Google Cambridge 288.5feet162023Pickard Chilton Architects with Stantec325 Main StreetPart of MXD II.https://www.turnerconstruction.com/projects/boston-properties-325-main-street[7] [8] [9]
- WJIB radio tower285feetN/A1948Neighborhood NineMast radiator for WJIB and supports its FM translator, W267CE.[10]
5Proto Kendall Square (Ames Street Residences)284feet222018FXCollaborative88 Ames Street[11] [12]
6MIT Kendall Square Site 5 (Building E28)280feet182021Perkins&Will314 Main Street[13]
7=Avalon North Point277feet222008CBT Architects1 Leighton Street, Cambridge CrossingResidential[14]
7=Cecil and Ida Green Center for Earth Sciences (Green Building)277feet211964I.M. Pei & Partners Area 2/MITHeight to tip - 312feet with radar dome.[15] [16] [17] [18] [19]
9ONE65 Main275feet252022Elkus Manfredi Architects165 Main Street East Cambridge300 residential units plus retail "to serve families of all sizes"[20] [21] [22]
10Riverfront Office Park 270feet181983; renovated 2012101 Main St., East CambridgeThe taller of two interconnected towers[23] [24] [25]
11=Rindge Towers I269feet(est.)221970North Cambridge[26]
11=Rindge Towers II269feet(est.)221970North Cambridge[27]
11=Rindge Towers III269feet(est.)221970North Cambridge[28]
14Stanley Building (The Broad Institute)264feet152014Elkus Manfredi Architects75 Ames Street[29]
15Watermark Kendall West262feet(est.)24[30] 2006David Nagahiro of CBT350 Third Street, Area 2/MIT[31] [32] [33] [34]
16Park 151252 ft (77 m)202022151 N First Street, Cambridge CrossingHeight to tip - 270feet[35] [36]
17Cambridge Crossing Parcel E/F250feet212020250 Water Street, Cambridge CrossingLife science and technology buildinghttps://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/CDD/ZoningDevel/SpecialPermits/sp179/sp179_ParcelI_Residential_20180316_1.pdf
18Tang Residence Hall248feet241972The Stubbins Associates550 Memorial Drive; Area 2/MIT[37] [38]
191010 Memorial Drive240feet201965West Cambridge[39] [40]
20Twenty20237feet202015CBT Architects20 Child Street, East CambridgeResidential[41]
21MIT Kendall Square SoMa Site 3 Building235feet142022McNamara • Salvia238 Main Street[42]
22=Regatta Riverview Residences 1234feet241998Eisenburg Haven Architects10 Museum Way, East CambridgeAlso called Museum Towers.[43] [44]
22=Regatta Riverview Residences 2234feet241998Eisenburg Haven Architects12 Museum Way, East CambridgeAlso called Museum Towers.[45] [46]
24One Broadway230feet171970East Cambridge[47] [48]
25=Peabody Terrace Apartments I226.85feet221964Riverside[49] [50]
25=Peabody Terrace Apartments II226.85feet221964Riverside[51]
25=Peabody Terrace Apartments III226.85feet221964Riverside[52]
28808 Memorial Drive224feet201975Cambridgeport[53] [54]
29=929 Mass Apartments220.32feet181976Mid-Cambridge[55]
29=Mather House220.32feet (est.)18197010 Cowperthwaite Street, RiversideHarvard student residences.[56]
31Cambridge Crossing Parcel G220feet142022Perkins&Will350 Water Street, Cambridge CrossingResidential, Retail, & Officehttps://www.cambridgema.gov/~/media/Files/CDD/ZoningDevel/SpecialPermits/sp179/sp179_parcelG_DR1_20171107.pdf?la=enPhotos
32William James Hall215feet (est.)151963Baldwin[57]
33Riverfront Office Park210feet141987; renovated 2012101 Main Street, East CambridgeThe shorter of two interconnected towers[58] [59]
34One Memorial Drive208feet (est.)171986Area 2/MIT[60]
34Market Central Apartments207feet192020425 Massachusetts Ave, Central SquareFormerly known as Mass+Main.[61]
36100205feet182005100 Landsdowne Street, Cambridgeport[62]
37Frank J. Manning Apartments204feet191976237 Franklin Street, Cambridgeport[63]

Under construction or renovation

NameImageHeight
ft (m)
FloorsYearArchitectAddressNotes
40 Thorndike Street (Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse Renovation)unknown20in progressElkus Manfredi Architects40 Thorndike Street, East CambridgeResidential/Office. This project is a renovation and will replace Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse[64] [65]
MXD Residential Building South400feet372021121 Broadway, East CambridgeSite prep began in early 2023. Height does not include mechanical penthouse.[66]
MIT SoMa Building 2240feet13 or 14TBDElkus Manfredi Architects 200 Main Street, Area 2/MITParking garage, commercial laboratory, office spaces, and retail.[67] [68] [69]

Tallest approved or proposed

This section lists high-rise buildings that are approved or proposed in Cambridge and planned to be at least 200feet tall, but are not yet under construction. In 2015, Leland Cheung of the Cambridge City Council contemplated the maximum rezoning of the area in terms of building heights, and asked if buildings of up to 1000feet could be considered in the future. A height of 1,000 feet would be over 200 feet taller than the tallest building in the metro-Boston area: the John Hancock Tower.[70] [71]

NameHeight
ft (m)
FloorsYearCoordinatesNeighborhoodStatusNotes
Volpe Redevelopment MIT500feet502022East CambridgeProposedWould be the tallest building in Massachusetts outside of Boston once completed.[72]
585 Third St292.5feet162021East CambridgeProposed[73]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MIT Kendall Square - SoMa Project - Parcel C, Building 4. December 30, 2020. July 27, 2015. MIT.
  2. Web site: Graduate Tower at Site 4 . MIT . Massachusetts Institute of Technology . 1 September 2024 . The Graduate Tower at Site 4 (also known as “Site 4”) is one of the newest graduate residences, having opened in 2020.
  3. Web site: Buildings (4/5) . 2016-10-01. www.cambridgema.gov.
  4. Web site: Akamai Technologies Global Headquarters . CTBUH Skyscraper Database . Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . 1 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240526062130/https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/akamai-technologies-global-headquarters/27908 . 26 May 2024.
  5. Web site: Boston Marriott Cambridge. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107115653/http://www.emporis.com/building/bostonmarriottcambridge-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. November 7, 2012. 2014-03-09. Emporis.com.
  6. Web site: Boston Marriott Cambridge . Skyscraper Page.
  7. Web site: 325 Main St Commercial Building B - CDD Board Design Update. August 6, 2019. December 31, 2020. www.cambridgema.gov.
  8. Web site: Google Cambridge . Magnusson Klemencic Associates . Magnusson Klemencic Associates . 1 September 2024.
  9. Web site: 325 Main Street . Projects . Stantec Architects . 1 September 2024.
  10. http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=114066 FCC ASR database
  11. Web site: Proto Kendall Square . CTBUH Skyscraper Database . Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . 1 September 2024.
  12. Web site: Proto. 6 January 2021. www.skyscrapercenter.com.
  13. Web site: MIT Kendall Square Building 5 . CTBUH Skyscraper Database . Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . 1 September 2024.
  14. Web site: Avalon North Point. CTBUH Skyscraper Database . Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . 1 September 2024.
  15. Web site: Green Building. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107115230/http://www.emporis.com/building/greenbuilding-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. November 7, 2012. 2014-02-05. Emporis.com.
  16. Web site: Green Building. 2015-03-16. structurae.net.
  17. Web site: Green Building. 2014-02-05. SkyscraperPage.com.
  18. Web site: Kendall Square Final Report 2013. 20 ("312" shown in lower left at building location). 2015-05-05. cambridgema.gov.
  19. Web site: Cecil and Ida Green Center for Earth Sciences. CTBUH Skyscraper Database . Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . 1 September 2024.
  20. Web site: Design Submission (1/7) . 2017-07-16 . cambridgema.gov.
  21. Web site: Kendall Square at MIT – Site 1 (165 Main Street). 2024-09-01. mit.edu. the structure is 275 feet tall.
  22. Web site: ONE65 Main . ONE65 Main . 1 September 2024.
  23. Web site: Riverfront Office Park I. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107112301/http://www.emporis.com/building/riverfrontofficeparki-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. November 7, 2012. 2015-01-24. Emporis.com.
  24. Web site: General Building Information Form. 2015-02-25. riverfrontofficepark.com.
  25. Web site: Riverfront Office Park-101 Main Street . VTS . 1 September 2024.
  26. Web site: Fresh Pond Apartments I. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518085816/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/187082/fresh-pond-apartments-i-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. May 18, 2015. 2015-05-07. Emporis.com.
  27. Web site: Fresh Pond Apartments II. 2015-05-07. Emporis.com.
  28. Web site: Fresh Pond Apartments III. 2015-05-07. Emporis.com.
  29. Web site: Broad Institute. CTBUH Skyscraper Database . Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . 1 September 2024.
  30. Web site: Watermark Kendall - West . Twining Properties . 1 September 2024.
  31. Web site: Kendall Square Final Report 2013. 2015-05-07 . 20, 21 (Find 193 in the center of the diagram; go down 1.5 inches to a box that says 270'; from 270' go up and right one inch at 45° to a box that says 248'). www.cambridgema.gov.
  32. Web site: PUD-KS Zoning Proposal Revisions May 5, 2015. 2015-05-07 . 17. www.cambridgema.gov.
  33. Web site: Watermark Residences. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924144610/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/203691/watermark-residences-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. September 24, 2015. 2015-05-07. Emporis.com.
  34. Web site: Skyscraper Database . SkyscraperPage.com . 1 September 2024.
  35. Web site: Buildings. 2018-07-13. www.cambridgema.gov.
  36. Web site: Cambridge Crossing Parcel I. 2018-05-12. www.skyscrapercenter.com.
  37. Web site: Tang Residence Hall. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107114725/http://www.emporis.com/building/tangresidencehall-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. November 7, 2012. 2015-01-24. Emporis.com.
  38. Web site: Tang Residence Hall. 2015-02-23. skyscraperpage.com.
  39. Web site: 1010 Memorial . highrises.com . 2 December 2023.
  40. Web site: A Brief History of "Ten Ten" . Elizabeth af Jochnick . December 5, 2021 . History Cambridge . December 2, 2023 . Before Ten Ten was Ten Ten, it was an in-patient infirmary for Harvard students, located next to Mount Auburn Hospital, known as the Stillman Infirmatory. .
  41. Web site: NorthPoint TWENTY|20. 2016-11-17. ctbuh.org.
  42. Web site: MIT Kendall Square SoMa Site 3 Building. CTBUH Skyscraper Database . Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . 1 September 2024.
  43. Web site: Museum Towers I. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107115147/http://www.emporis.com/building/museumtowersi-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. November 7, 2012. 2015-01-24. Emporis.com.
  44. Web site: Museum Towers I. 2015-02-23. skyscraperpage.com.
  45. Web site: Regatta Riverview Residences. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107112701/http://www.emporis.com/building/regattariverviewresidences-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. November 7, 2012. 2015-01-24. Emporis.com.
  46. Web site: Regatta Riverview Residences. 2015-02-23. skyscraperpage.com.
  47. Web site: One Broadway. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924144342/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/151019/one-broadway-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. September 24, 2015. 2016-05-08. Emporis.com.
  48. Web site: Building plans. 2016-05-08. www.cambridgema.gov.
  49. Web site: Peabody Terrace Complex . 2015-01-28. en.wikiarquitectura.com.
  50. Web site: Peabody Terrace Apartments I. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107114518/http://www.emporis.com/building/peabodyterraceapartmentsi-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. November 7, 2012. 2015-01-28. Emporis.com.
  51. Web site: Peabody Terrace Apartments II. https://archive.today/20150128203215/http://www.emporis.com/building/peabodyterraceapartmentsii-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. January 28, 2015. 2015-01-28. Emporis.com.
  52. Web site: Peabody Terrace Apartments III. https://archive.today/20150128203211/http://www.emporis.com/building/peabodyterraceapartmentsiii-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. January 28, 2015. 2015-01-28. Emporis.com.
  53. Web site: 808 Memorial Drive. 2015-01-31. Emporis.com.
  54. Web site: Calendar Item No. 1 dated 11/4/02 .... cambridgema.gov.
  55. Web site: 929 Apartments. https://web.archive.org/web/20150524095835/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/130364/929-house-apartments-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. May 24, 2015. 2015-05-24. Emporis.com.
  56. Web site: Mather House, Cambridge. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111175430/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/230518/mather-house-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. November 11, 2017. 9 January 2021. Emporis.com.
  57. Web site: William James Hall History. 11 July 2024. Harvard University.
  58. Web site: Riverfront Office Park II. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107114132/http://www.emporis.com/building/riverfrontofficeparkii-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. November 7, 2012. 2015-01-24. Emporis.com.
  59. Web site: General Building Information Form. 2015-02-25. riverfrontofficepark.com.
  60. Web site: One Memorial Drive. https://web.archive.org/web/20160810230236/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/130366/one-memorial-drive-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. August 10, 2016. January 5, 2021. Emporis.com.
  61. Web site: Application Section 1-2. 2018-09-12. www.cambridgema.gov.
  62. Web site: 100. https://web.archive.org/web/20150128114239/http://www.emporis.com/building/100-cambridge-ma-usa. usurped. January 28, 2015. 2015-01-24. Emporis.com.
  63. Web site: Frank J. Manning Apartments. 2018-05-10. skyscrapercenter.com.
  64. Web site: 40 Thorndike Street Cambridge. 2015-01-23. Emporis.com.
  65. Web site: 40 Thorndike . CTBUH Skyscraper Database . Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . 1 September 2024.
  66. Web site: Levy . Marc . 13 September 2021 . Boston Properties bumps up residential units; $180M sale near Alewife; HubSpot to relocate . 20 December 2021 . Cambridge Day.
  67. Web site: MIT Kendall Square 2. 2018-05-12. www.skyscrapercenter.com.
  68. Web site: Buildings. 2016-05-09. www.cambridgema.gov.
  69. Web site: Kendall Square at MIT – Site 2 (200 Main Street) . Capital Projects . Massachusetts Institute of Technology . 1 September 2024.
  70. June 19, 2015 . Carlock . Catherine . Could Kendall Square soon be home to the tallest building in New England? . January 9, 2021 . Greater Boston Small Business Resource Guide . Boston Business Journal . .
  71. Web site: New England's Tallest Building Could Go Up in Kendall Square . Acitelli . Tom . June 22, 2015 . . . January 7, 2021 . Cambridge City Councillor Leland Cheung has proposed rezoning to allow for a 1,000-foot tower." That would, of course, make it roughly 200 feet taller than the Hancock in downtown Boston, the region's tallest spire to date. .
  72. Web site: Volpe rezoning petition . June 21, 2017 . Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
  73. Web site: PUD Special Permit Submission, Volume 2: Plans and Illustrations. 20 December 2021. City of Cambridge. 3 September 2021.
  74. News: Perez-Lopez . Aron . Eastgate Apartments to close at the end of summer . 1 September 2024 . The Tech . 20 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240529015952/https://thetech.com/2020/02/20/eastgate-closing . 29 May 2024.
  75. News: Welker . Grant . 30-story Cambridge tower will be demolished in MIT project. Here’s what’ll replace it. . 1 September 2024 . Boston Business Journal . 25 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220125171141/https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2022/01/25/30-story-cambridge-tower-will-be-demolished-in-mit.html . 25 January 2022.
  76. Web site: Eastgate Married Student Housing. CTBUH Skyscraper Database . Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat . 1 September 2024.