Project Overview

Effective August 2015, BXP assumed property management responsibilities for the concourse level of Back Bay Station as part of a multifaceted Ground and Air Rights Lease executed between BXP, MassDOT, and the MBTA.  All parties recognized the need to improve the customer experience at Boston’s third largest station and the western gateway to the City. As part of that agreement, BXP is working in partnership with the MBTA on an extensive renovation to Back Bay Station.

Currently, the station is in need of architectural upgrades, and the space can be difficult for customers to navigate. BXP has managed the design and approval process for the renovation project, in collaboration with the City of Boston, Boston Planning and Development Agency, community and neighborhood groups, MassDOT and the MBTA.

The project will restore the station’s architecture and improve the pedestrian flow of the station. In an earlier stage of the project, BXP completed the renovation of the public bathrooms at the station.

This public-private partnership will revitalize Back Bay as a major civic train station with a new generation of active retail uses. Improvements will create a first-class transit hub.


Rendering of the final concourse area.


Project Benefits

  • Increased pedestrian flow and better accommodation for passengers waiting for trains on the concourse level

  • New lighting and audio equipment to improve and modernize the station’s interior

  • Improvements to signage and wayfinding

  • Modified Orange Line fare gates to make it easier for people to enter and exit

  • New retail opportunities for MBTA riders and the community

  • New bike cage