Here’s a question. What if a place could be both a hub of innovation and a living canvas? That place is University Park at MIT. It is a mixed-use urban renewal project in Cambridge.
University Park wasn’t always the vibrant space we see today. Imagine marshy land along the Charles River. During the American Revolutionary War, it was the site of Fort Washington. It guarded against British attacks during the Siege of Boston.
In the 1850s, the Grand Junction Railroad transformed the area. The nearby marshes were filled and factories sprung up. Simplex Wire & Cable Company, Kennedy Biscuit Company, and Necco candy factory all called this place home. The Kennedy Biscuit Company is the originator of the Fig Newton.
But progress threatened University Park in the 1960s. The “Inner Belt” highway project loomed. It would have demolished homes in Cambridgeport. Community opposition thankfully stopped the highway.
Simplex left in 1969 and MIT acquired the land. For years, the area remained vacant. MIT searched for a purpose for the 27-acre property. Finally, in 1983, serious planning began. MIT selected Forest City to develop the land. Construction started in 1985.
The development wasn’t without controversy. Community activists protested MIT’s plans. They wanted more affordable housing and preservation of historic buildings. Final zoning approval came in January 1988.
Today, University Park is a thriving mixed-use development. It features office and laboratory buildings. Several biotechnology companies reside here. There are residential developments, retail areas, parks, and open space. MIT owns the land, but Brookfield Asset Management holds long-term leases. The last new building was completed in 2005.
University Park includes 531 rental apartments. This exceeds the original plan. Demand for housing in Cambridge outstripped office space. Much of the housing is on the west side, bordering Cambridgeport. The Kennedy Biscuit building was preserved. It was converted to loft housing. The former Sears shoe factory became office space.
Other older buildings in the area have also been renovated. The former Necco building houses a Novartis research unit. The former Ford plant near the Boston University Bridge is now office space.
But University Park isn’t just about buildings. It’s about art. University Park Common features over 100 sculptural and graphic pieces. “Traces” marks moments in the site’s 250-year history. It tells stories of commerce and technical innovations. Bronze and stainless steel sculptures depict Simplex Wire and Cable’s activities. A map sequence shows the changing landform.
A fog fountain evokes the area’s salt marsh history. Cast bronze oyster shells recall oyster banks found during excavation. A bronze sculpture of Necco Wafers sits on a boulder. It spills Sweethearts conversation hearts from a paper bag. This is near the former New England Confectionery Company factory.
So, as you wander through University Park, remember its evolution. From marshland to factories to a modern hub, it’s a place where history and innovation intertwine. University Park is a testament to community, progress, and the power of art.