121 Seaport, a 440,000-sf Class A office tower within Bostonâs Innovative Seaport District, recently accepted its first tenant, with Alexion Pharmaceuticals leasing 150,000 square feet on floors three through eight. Internet of Things (IoT) technology provider PTC is leasing 250,000 sf, and will move in early next year, according to Skanska, this buildingâs GC, developer, and owner.
The 18-story building, which was completed this Spring, is distinguished by its elliptical exterior design that required 10% less facade, which helped reduce construction costs and waste. The shape also cuts the surface area of the building thatâs exposed to the sun, so thereâs less heat gain, which translates to 15% energy savings.
121 Seaport is targeting LEED Platinum certification.
Boston-based CBT designed the building. BD+C spoke with two of CBTâs Principals, Phil Casey and David Nagahiro, about this project, whose design began in 2014.
Casey says the Building team had to rethink what a seaport office building would look like. He notes, too, that the site dictated the shape and orientation of the building. For one thing, the building had to navigate around a corner of the site that intersected with a tunnel for the Bostonâs Silver Line bus service, which connects the seaport to Logan Airport.
Part of the site is also within the Federal Aviation Administrationâs zone for Logan, which limited the height of the building. âMoving the building outside of the zoning envelope was liberating,â says Nagahiro. (The completed building is just under 250 feet tall.)
The shape of the building creates an aerodynamic plane that minimizes the impact of wind, which meant that less lateral steel reinforcement was needed, and thereby improving the efficiency of the buildingâs floorplate.
The building's lobby is designed to give visitors and pedestrians a calming sense of place. Image: CBT
Â
The buildingâs lobby is positioned toward Central Square, the Seaportâs green space, thereby cultivating a welcoming urban experience for pedestrians. âWhen you walk into the lobby, you know youâre in a different building,â says Nagahiro.
The buildingâs interior features include virtually column-free floorplates, elevated 10-ft ceilings, and access to outdoor terraces. Other amenities include 24/7 concierge service, a private fitness center, green roof over the 50,000-sf retail podium, and a rooftop terrace with striking views of the city.
At the base of this building is a 70-ft-wide promenade called Harbor Way with 20,000 sf of open space and an interactive walking museum. A parking garage underneath the building can accommodate 270 vehicles and 270 bikes.
Since launching its commercial development business in 2009, Skanska has invested nearly $500 million into sustainable developments in Boston. Aside from 121 Seaport, it has two other developments at the Seaport: 101 Seaport, the North American headquarters for the accounting and consulting firm PwC; and Watermark Seaport, a two-building 300,000-sf LEED Gold residential high rise with ground-floor retail, and 15,000 sf of indoor/outdoor space for residents that includes an 18th-floor sky deck.
Related Stories
Projects | Apr 6, 2022
Ryan Companies expands Chicago presence with new West Loop office
Ryan Companies US, Inc. (Ryan), a national leader in commercial real estate services, announces it has enhanced its Chicago presence with the opening of a new downtown office at 224 North Desplaines in the cityâs West Loop neighborhood.
Airports | Apr 4, 2022
Dominican Republic airport expansion will add mixed-use features
The recently revealed design concept for the expansion of Santiago International Airport in the Dominican Republic includes a transformation of the current building into a mixed-use space that features an office park, business center, and hotel.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2022
High office vacancies have cities rethinking downtown zoning
As record-high office vacancies persist in U.S. urban areas, cities are rethinking zoning policy.
Projects | Mar 22, 2022
Fast-growing Austin adds a $3 billion community
The nationâs fastest-growing large metro area is getting even bigger, with the addition of a $3 billion, 66-acre community.
Projects | Mar 18, 2022
Former department store transformed into 1 million sf mixed-use complex
Sibley Square, a giant mixed-use complex project that transformed a nearly derelict former department store was recently completed in Rochester, N.Y.
Projects | Mar 17, 2022
Plans unveiled for âWall Street Southâ mixed-use office block in West Palm Beach
Brand Atlantic Real Estate Partners, Wheelock Street Capital, and B+H Architects released design plans for a new mixed-use office block in West Palm Beach called Banyan & Olive.
Projects | Mar 10, 2022
Optometrist office takes new approach to âdoc-in-a-boxâ design
In recent decades, franchises have taken over the optometry services and optical sales market. This trend has spawned a commodity-type approach to design of office and retail sales space.
Mass Timber | Mar 8, 2022
Heavy timber office and boutique residential building breaks ground in Austin
T3 Eastside, a heavy timber office and boutique residential building, recently broke ground in Austin, Texas.
Performing Arts Centers | Mar 8, 2022
Cincinnati Balletâs new center embodies the idea that dance is for everyone
Cincinnati Ballet had become a victim of its own success, according to company president and CEO Scott Altman. âWe were bursting at the seams in our old building. We had simply outgrown the facility,â Altman told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Projects | Mar 7, 2022
An Atlanta office promotes employee well-being
For its new Atlanta office, New Relic, a California-based technology company that develops cloud-based software, wanted to keep employee health and wellness at the fore. It also wanted the workspace design to bolster productivity as well as employee engagement and retention.