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As part of an agreement with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), MIT has substantially completed the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center on a Kendall Square site in close proximity to the MIT campus. With the new federal building now open and final completion scheduled before the end of the year, MIT is preparing to proceed (per the agreement with the GSA) with the creation of a dynamic mixed-use center on the site, incorporating the Cambridge community’s extensive planning and visioning efforts to increase housing, open space, and retail activity, while adding commercial and laboratory spaces.
The overall project began with a lengthy bidding process, after which the GSA selected MIT as its partner to construct the new federal building. The building opened in September 2023 and features conference rooms, laboratories, offices, open workspaces, specialized building hangars, a day care center, and a unique public art space created by renowned designer and sculptor Maya Lin. Currently targeting LEED Platinum certification, the building is expected to use less than half the energy of a traditional building, due to sustainability components including triple-paned glass, heat recovery chillers, electric vehicle chargers, a rainwater reclamation and reuse system, and a rooftop solar array.
MIT's plan for the remaining 10 acres of the Volpe site was approved in 2021 by the Cambridge Planning Board after a robust community engagement process. Consistent with the zoning passed by the City Council in 2017, the proposed development includes nearly 3 million square feet of space providing retail and restaurants, market-price and affordable housing units, a community center, and science and innovation facilities. The vibrant, mixed-use center will also provide pedestrian links and publicly-accessible open space expected to include a large park at the corner of Third Street and Broadway, a linear park adjacent to Sixth Street/Loughrey Way, a park adjacent to the community center, and a pocket park on Binney Street.
The design phase for below-grade infrastructure, individual buildings, and open spaces began in 2022. Design review for the initial buildings is underway as of 2023.
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Project Team
Construction manager: Turner Construction, Boston, MA
MIT Team: Sam Aureli, Michael Owu (MITIMCo)
News+Video
In the News
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New Volpe Center opens to support the country’s most innovative transportation projects; MIT News, September 20, 2023
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New Volpe Transportation Center opens as part of $750 million deal between MIT and feds; Boston Globe, September 19, 2023
- Volpe redevelopment project launches next phase; MIT submits special permit application to the City of Cambridge; MIT News, February 4, 2021
- First step on Volpe parcel planned for 2019; Building and landscape designs for new federal building are now complete; MIT News, February 5, 2019
- Cambridge City Council approves MIT’s Volpe zoning petition; The 14-acre underutilized parcel in Kendall Square is set to be reimagined as a vibrant community; MIT News, October 23, 2017
- MIT files rezoning petition for Volpe site; Submittal of mixed-use proposal launches public hearing process; MIT News, June 21, 2017
- MIT signs agreement to redevelop Volpe Center; Institute will build new federal building, mixed-use development on the 14-acre parcel in Kendall Square; MIT News, January 18, 2017
- 3Q: MIT’s investment in the Volpe Center property; Executive Vice President and Treasurer Israel Ruiz describes the transaction and its benefits for MIT and Cambridge; MIT News, January 18, 2017
- Federal government announces next step in Volpe Center redevelopment process; Federally owned property is centrally located in Kendall Square; MIT News, November 15, 2016
- 3Q: Israel Ruiz on MIT’s role in shaping the future of the Volpe Center; Tuesday’s announcement names MIT as an initial partner in redeveloping federal property in Kendall Square; MIT News, November 18, 2016