List of tallest buildings in Cambridge, Massachusetts

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.

The Cambridge skyline in April 2021.

Tallest buildings and structures

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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.

Rank Name Image Height
ft (m)
Floors Year Architect Address Notes Ref.
01.01 Graduate Tower at Site 4   315 ft (96 m) 29 2020 Perkins&Will 45 Hayward Street Tallest building in Cambridge since April 2, 2019.[1] [1][2]
2 Akamai Technologies Global Headquarters   297 ft (91 m) 20 2019 Pickard Chilton 145 Broadway [3][4]
3 Boston Marriott Cambridge   290 ft (88 m) 26 1988 Moshe Safdie & Associates 2 Cambridge Center, Area 2/MIT Tallest building built in the 1980s. [5][6]
4 Google Cambridge   288.5 ft (87.9 m) 16 2023 Pickard Chilton Architects with Stantec 325 Main Street Part of MXD II.[2] [7][8][9]
WJIB radio tower 285 ft (87 m) N/A 1948 Neighborhood Nine Mast radiator for WJIB and supports its FM translator, W267CE. [10]
5 Proto Kendall Square (Ames Street Residences)   284 ft (87 m) 22 2018 FXCollaborative 88 Ames Street [11][12]
6 MIT Kendall Square Site 5 (Building E28)   280 ft (85 m) 18 2021 Perkins&Will 314 Main Street [13]
7= Avalon North Point   277 ft (84 m) 22 2008 CBT Architects 1 Leighton Street, Cambridge Crossing Residential [14]
7= Cecil and Ida Green Center for Earth Sciences (Green Building)   277 ft (84 m) 21 1964 I.M. Pei & Partners Area 2/MIT Height to tip - 312 ft (95 m) with radar dome. [15][16][17][18][19]
9 ONE65 Main   275 ft (84 m) 25 2022 Elkus Manfredi Architects 165 Main Street East Cambridge 300 residential units plus retail "to serve families of all sizes"[20] [21][20][22]
10 Riverfront Office Park   270 ft (82 m) 18 1983; renovated 2012 101 Main St., East Cambridge The taller of two interconnected towers [23][24][25]
11= Rindge Towers I   269 ft (82 m)

(est.)

22 1970 North Cambridge [26]
11= Rindge Towers II   269 ft (82 m)

(est.)

22 1970 North Cambridge [27]
11= Rindge Towers III   269 ft (82 m)

(est.)

22 1970 North Cambridge [28]
14 Stanley Building (The Broad Institute)   264 ft (80 m) 15 2014 Elkus Manfredi Architects 75 Ames Street [29]
15 Watermark Kendall West   262 ft (80 m)

(est.)

24[30] 2006 David Nagahiro of CBT 350 Third Street, Area 2/MIT [31][better source needed][32][33][34]
16 Park 151   252 ft (77 m) 20 2022 151 N First Street, Cambridge Crossing Height to tip - 270 ft (82 m) [35][36]
17 Cambridge Crossing Parcel E/F 250 ft (76 m) 21 2020 250 Water Street, Cambridge Crossing Life science and technology building [3]
18 Tang Residence Hall   248 ft (76 m) 24 1972 The Stubbins Associates 550 Memorial Drive; Area 2/MIT [37][38]
19 1010 Memorial Drive   240 ft (73 m) 20 1965[39] West Cambridge [40][39]
20 Twenty20   237 ft (72 m) 20 2015 CBT Architects 20 Child Street, East Cambridge Residential [41]
21 MIT Kendall Square SoMa Site 3 Building   235 ft (72 m) 14 2022 McNamara • Salvia 238 Main Street [42]
22= Regatta Riverview Residences 1   234 ft (71 m) 24 1998 Eisenburg Haven Architects 10 Museum Way, East Cambridge Also called Museum Towers. [43][44]
22= Regatta Riverview Residences 2   234 ft (71 m) 24 1998 Eisenburg Haven Architects 12 Museum Way, East Cambridge Also called Museum Towers. [45][46]
24 One Broadway   230 ft (70 m) 17 1970 East Cambridge [47][48]
25= Peabody Terrace Apartments I   226.85 ft (69.14 m) 22 1964 Riverside [49][50]
25= Peabody Terrace Apartments II   226.85 ft (69.14 m) 22 1964 Riverside [49][51]
25= Peabody Terrace Apartments III   226.85 ft (69.14 m) 22 1964 Riverside [49][52]
28 808 Memorial Drive   224 ft (68 m) 20 1975 Cambridgeport [53][54]
29= 929 Mass Apartments   220.32 ft (67.15 m) 18 1976 Mid-Cambridge [55]
29= Mather House   220.32 ft (67.15 m) (est.) 18 1970 10 Cowperthwaite Street, Riverside Harvard student residences. [56]
31 Cambridge Crossing Parcel G
 
Under construction in January 2021
220 ft (67 m) 14 2022 Perkins&Will 350 Water Street, Cambridge Crossing Residential, Retail, & Office [4]Photos
32 William James Hall   215 ft (66 m) (est.) 15 1963 Baldwin [57]
33 Riverfront Office Park   210 ft (64 m) 14 1987; renovated 2012 101 Main Street, East Cambridge The shorter of two interconnected towers [58][59]
34 One Memorial Drive   208 ft (63 m) (est.) 17 1986 Area 2/MIT [60]
34 Market Central Apartments   207 ft (63 m) 19 2020 425 Massachusetts Ave, Central Square Formerly known as Mass+Main. [61]
36 100   205 ft (62 m) 18 2005 100 Landsdowne Street, Cambridgeport [62]
37 Frank J. Manning Apartments   204 ft (62 m) 19 1976 237 Franklin Street, Cambridgeport [63]

Under construction or renovation

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Name Image Height
ft (m)
Floors Year Architect Address Notes Ref.
40 Thorndike Street (Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse Renovation)   unknown 20 in progress Elkus Manfredi Architects 40 Thorndike Street, East Cambridge Residential/Office. This project is a renovation and will replace Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse [64][65]
MXD Residential Building South 400 ft (120 m) 37 2021 121 Broadway, East Cambridge Site prep began in early 2023. Height does not include mechanical penthouse. [66]
MIT SoMa Building 2
 
Construction site in August 2024
240 ft (73 m) 13[67] or 14 TBD Elkus Manfredi Architects 200 Main Street, Area 2/MIT Parking garage, commercial laboratory, office spaces, and retail.[67] [68][69][67]

Tallest approved or proposed

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This section lists high-rise buildings that are approved or proposed in Cambridge and planned to be at least 200 feet (61 m) 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 1,000 feet (305 m) 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]

Name Height
ft (m)
Floors Year Coordinates Neighborhood Status Notes Ref.
Volpe Redevelopment MIT 500 ft (150 m) 50 2022 East Cambridge Proposed Would be the tallest building in Massachusetts outside of Boston once completed. [72]
585 Third St 292.5 ft (89.2 m) 16 2021 East Cambridge Proposed [73]

Demolished

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Name Image Height
ft (m)
Floors Year Architect Address Notes Ref.
Eastgate Married Student Housing 277 ft (84 m) 30 1967 Eduardo Catalano 30 Wadsworth Street Closed 2020;[74] demolished 2022[75] [76]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "MIT Kendall Square - SoMa Project - Parcel C, Building 4" (PDF). MIT. July 27, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  2. ^ "Graduate Tower at Site 4". MIT. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 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. ^ "Buildings (4/5)" (PDF). www.cambridgema.gov. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  4. ^ "Akamai Technologies Global Headquarters". CTBUH Skyscraper Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Boston Marriott Cambridge". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2014-03-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Boston Marriott Cambridge". Skyscraper Page.
  7. ^ "325 Main St Commercial Building B - CDD Board Design Update" (PDF). www.cambridgema.gov. August 6, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  8. ^ "Google Cambridge". Magnusson Klemencic Associates. Magnusson Klemencic Associates. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  9. ^ "325 Main Street". Projects. Stantec Architects. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  10. ^ FCC ASR database Retrieved 2014-03-07
  11. ^ "Proto Kendall Square". CTBUH Skyscraper Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Proto". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  13. ^ "MIT Kendall Square Building 5". CTBUH Skyscraper Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Avalon North Point". CTBUH Skyscraper Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Green Building". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2014-02-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ^ "Green Building". structurae.net. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
  17. ^ "Green Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
  18. ^ "Kendall Square Final Report 2013". cambridgema.gov. p. 20 ("312" shown in lower left at building location). Retrieved 2015-05-05.
  19. ^ "Cecil and Ida Green Center for Earth Sciences". CTBUH Skyscraper Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Kendall Square at MIT – Site 1 (165 Main Street)". mit.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-01. the structure is 275 feet tall
  21. ^ "Design Submission (1/7)" (PDF). cambridgema.gov. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
  22. ^ "ONE65 Main". ONE65 Main. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Riverfront Office Park I". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2015-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. ^ "General Building Information Form" (PDF). riverfrontofficepark.com. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  25. ^ "Riverfront Office Park-101 Main Street". VTS. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Fresh Pond Apartments I". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved 2015-05-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^ "Fresh Pond Apartments II". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2015-05-07.[dead link]
  28. ^ "Fresh Pond Apartments III". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2015-05-07.[dead link]
  29. ^ "Broad Institute". CTBUH Skyscraper Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Watermark Kendall - West". Twining Properties. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  31. ^ "Kendall Square Final Report 2013". www.cambridgema.gov. pp. 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'). Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  32. ^ "PUD-KS Zoning Proposal Revisions May 5, 2015". www.cambridgema.gov. p. 17. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  33. ^ "Watermark Residences". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 2015-05-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  34. ^ "Skyscraper Database". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  35. ^ "Buildings" (PDF). www.cambridgema.gov. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  36. ^ "Cambridge Crossing Parcel I". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 2018-05-12.
  37. ^ "Tang Residence Hall". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2015-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  38. ^ "Tang Residence Hall". skyscraperpage.com. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  39. ^ a b Elizabeth af Jochnick (December 5, 2021). "A Brief History of "Ten Ten"". History Cambridge. Retrieved 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.
  40. ^ "1010 Memorial". highrises.com. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  41. ^ "NorthPoint TWENTY|20". ctbuh.org. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
  42. ^ "MIT Kendall Square SoMa Site 3 Building". CTBUH Skyscraper Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  43. ^ "Museum Towers I". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2015-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  44. ^ "Museum Towers I". skyscraperpage.com. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  45. ^ "Regatta Riverview Residences". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2015-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  46. ^ "Regatta Riverview Residences". skyscraperpage.com. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  47. ^ "One Broadway". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved 2016-05-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  48. ^ "Building plans" (PDF). www.cambridgema.gov. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  49. ^ a b c "Peabody Terrace Complex". en.wikiarquitectura.com. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  50. ^ "Peabody Terrace Apartments I". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2015-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  51. ^ "Peabody Terrace Apartments II". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved 2015-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  52. ^ "Peabody Terrace Apartments III". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved 2015-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  53. ^ "808 Memorial Drive". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2015-01-31.
  54. ^ "Calendar Item No. 1 dated 11/4/02 ..." cambridgema.gov.
  55. ^ "929 Apartments". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved 2015-05-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  56. ^ "Mather House, Cambridge". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  57. ^ "William James Hall History". Harvard University. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  58. ^ "Riverfront Office Park II". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2015-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  59. ^ "General Building Information Form" (PDF). riverfrontofficepark.com. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  60. ^ "One Memorial Drive". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  61. ^ "Application Section 1-2" (PDF). www.cambridgema.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
  62. ^ "100". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved 2015-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  63. ^ "Frank J. Manning Apartments". skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 2018-05-10.
  64. ^ "40 Thorndike Street Cambridge". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2015-01-23.[dead link]
  65. ^ "40 Thorndike". CTBUH Skyscraper Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  66. ^ Levy, Marc (13 September 2021). "Boston Properties bumps up residential units; $180M sale near Alewife; HubSpot to relocate". Cambridge Day. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  67. ^ a b c "Kendall Square at MIT – Site 2 (200 Main Street)". Capital Projects. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  68. ^ "MIT Kendall Square 2". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 2018-05-12.
  69. ^ "Buildings" (PDF). www.cambridgema.gov. Retrieved 2016-05-09.
  70. ^ Carlock, Catherine, ed. (June 19, 2015). "Could Kendall Square soon be home to the tallest building in New England?". Greater Boston Small Business Resource Guide. Boston Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  71. ^ Acitelli, Tom (June 22, 2015). "New England's Tallest Building Could Go Up in Kendall Square". Vox Media. Curbed. Retrieved 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. ^ "Volpe rezoning petition" (PDF). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. June 21, 2017.
  73. ^ "PUD Special Permit Submission, Volume 2: Plans and Illustrations" (PDF). City of Cambridge. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  74. ^ Perez-Lopez, Aron (20 February 2020). "Eastgate Apartments to close at the end of summer". The Tech. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  75. ^ Welker, Grant (25 January 2022). "30-story Cambridge tower will be demolished in MIT project. Here's what'll replace it". Boston Business Journal. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  76. ^ "Eastgate Married Student Housing". CTBUH Skyscraper Database. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
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