A city-owned 75-year-old stadium in Boston’s historic Franklin Park will be renovated for a new National Women’s Soccer League team. The park, designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted in the 1880s, is the home of White Stadium, which was built in 1949 and has since fallen into disrepair. Franklin Park is conveniently located near the Green Street and Forest Hills Orange Line stops and is easily accessible by walking and biking.
The renovation will add spaces, accessibility, systems, and amenities needed to be a citywide resource and will be used as an athletic facility for Boston schools’ athletic programs. The building team will take special care to preserve White Stadium’s art deco façade as well as Franklin Park’s heritage trees and pastoral paths. Improvements to White Stadium will include roof canopies over new grandstand seating areas that will hold 10,000 spectators and the addition of a mixed-use space with food and beverage offerings that opens out to the Playstead playing fields. Called “The Grove,” the event lawn will host events such as tai chi, children’s storytelling, small performances, seasonal markets, and cultural gatherings programmed with a neighborhood advisory group.
The West Grandstand and Grove will be renovated into 75,000 sf of team areas, concessions, and fan lounges, leased by the professional team and renovated/rebuilt for their needs. The East Grandstand and field will be demolished and rebuilt by the city to accommodate a 75-yard-wide regulation field and track. It will also focus on Boston Public Schools needs with student wellness areas, locker rooms, athletic equipment storage, and school department offices.
“This project is a visionary partnership between the City of Boston, the Boston Public Schools, and Boston Unity Soccer Partners to leverage the significant investment of a professional women’s soccer team to benefit generations of Boston public schoolchildren,” said Tamara Roy, principal, Stantec.
Construction is expected to be substantially completed by March 2026.
On the building team:
Owner and/or developer: Boston Unity Soccer Club LLC
Architect: Stantec
Stadium Design Consultant: Moody Nolan
MPFP Engineer: VAV International
Electrical Engineer: ART
Structural Engineer: WSP
General Contractor/Construction Manager: N/A
Related Stories
Sustainability | Dec 14, 2016
A floating, mobile gym powered by human energy envisioned for the Seine River
Energy created by those exercising within would power the gym down the Seine.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 6, 2016
Airborne America takes flight in San Diego
The three-year-old company opens its first indoor skydiving facility featuring two wind tunnels.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 5, 2016
The Edmonton Oilers new stadium and mixed-use venue is exceeding expectations
The HOK-designed facility was created with more than just NHL games in mind, and has been nominated by Pollstar as the industry’s Best New Major Concert Venue.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Nov 29, 2016
HKS-designed L.A. Stadium breaks ground
The stadium will be home to the L.A. Rams and will also host other world-class sporting events and college championships.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Nov 14, 2016
Soccer stadium from Zaha Hadid Architects will be constructed almost entirely of wood
The architects say the project will be the greenest soccer stadium in the world once completed.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Oct 13, 2016
Ice in the desert: The practice facility for the NHL expansion team in Las Vegas hopes to engage the local community
“This design is all about drawing the community into the excitement of NHL hockey,” says Arnie Martinez, AIA, Director of Architecture for Leo A Daly.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Oct 12, 2016
A wood-clad arena is rising in Copenhagen
The design of this 377,000-sf building makes concessions to the residential community that surrounds it.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Sep 26, 2016
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa to undergo Skanska-led $35.6 million reconstruction project
The park will serve as an urban oasis of outdoor activities for the surrounding area.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Sep 26, 2016
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be the NFL’s first LEED Platinum stadium
The Atlanta Falcons new home is expected to save 40% in energy usage than a typical NFL stadium.
Sponsored | Reconstruction & Renovation | Sep 13, 2016
Daytona International Speedway becomes racing’s first modern stadium
Daytona International Speedway has undergone a $400 million full-scale makeover to update the facilities first built in 1959.
