Project Benefits

Commitment to Our Community

Allston & Brighton are culturally rich neighborhoods that thrive on diversity, history, and culture. Allston-Brighton is a melting pot of artists, immigrant families, longtime residents, young families, and students of various cultures and creeds.

Tishman Speyer is dedicated to building a neighborhood that works for the community. The Project Benefits are expected to include:

• 25% of retail set aside for local, small, minority-owned, and/or women-owned businesses (MBE/WBEs)
• The creation of 2,000 construction jobs in a variety of trades, and 2,300 permanent on-site jobs in a variety of fields including life sciences, building operations, retail, and hospitality

Affordability

Boston’s enactment of the Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) was a landmark step in attempting to increase the supply of affordable housing. The ERC will go above and beyond the city’s requirement that 13% of all units be designated as affordable, with 25% affordability in Phase A. We will also provide deeper levels of affordability in Phase A ranging from 30%-100% AMI, guaranteeing that housing will be available to a wider range of individuals and families.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In an effort to begin to address the lack of investment opportunities offered to minorities, we have assembled one of the largest inclusionary investor initiatives in city history by bringing over 150 Black and Hispanic individuals and households, including local Bostonians, into ownership of the ERC through a cumulative investment of ~$30 million.

Tishman Speyer is also making DE&I in the procurement process a priority. Our DE&I goals for pre-construction and construction awards aim to boost participation by MBE/WBEs. During our pre-construction phase, we have awarded more than 30% of project costs to date to MBE/WBEs. During the construction phase of the ERC, we have committed to award at least 15% of construction costs to MBE/WBE firms. The ERC will afford new opportunities for MBE/WBEs to gain valuable experience.

Sustainability

The ERC will support a sustainable future by developing climate-resilient, eco-friendly buildings via low-carbon construction methods.

Highlighted Efforts:

• Performative and resilient public open space
• Greenway and Bio-Classroom
• Green roof elements and permeable pavers throughout the site
• Extensive Stormwater Management System, exceeding city and state standards by using natural systems like our bioswale
• LEED Gold Certification eligible; with our lab/office component eligible for Fitwel certification
• Envision-certified infrastructure and Greenway
• Fossil-fuel-neutral by 2026; fossil-fuel-free by 2050
• Energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems
• Substantial reductions in energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions

Transportation

Located along the 64, 66, 70, and 86 bus routes, the ERC is committed to working with both the city and state to improve transit service along Western Avenue. As a pedestrian- and bike-friendly site that reduces carbon emissions and does more than its part to combat climate change, the ERC will introduce transportation improvements for all users.

Transit Improvements:

• Complete street improvements along Western Avenue from Hague Street to East Drive, including improvements to bicycle accommodations, sidewalks, and pedestrian amenities
• Construction of three new on-site multimodal streets
• A new east-west shared-use path and Greenway to conveniently connect pedestrians and bicyclists traveling through and to the ERC from surrounding neighborhoods
• Low parking ratios to encourage non-vehicular travel