Winthrop Center


Winthrop Center, is an under construction skyscraper in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. When completed, Winthrop Center would stand as the fourth-tallest building in Boston, Massachusetts. The Winthrop Center would be built on the site of the currently defunct Winthrop Square Garage in the Financial District.

History

While planning the Winthrop Square Tower, six developers pitched designs to the Boston Redevelopment Authority, where the design by the Millennium Partners was chosen in August of 2016.
On October 26, 2016, the Boston Redevelopment Agency approved the construction of the tower.
In November 2016, Millennium Partners increased the height to. The building's planned height was later shortened to.
In January 2018, the height was lowered again, to, and in May 2018 to
On October 18, 2018 Millennium Partners announced a groundbreaking date for October 24, 2018 and changing the name from “Winthrop Square Tower” to “Winthrop Center”. The completion of the tower is planned for March 2022.

One Winthrop Square Park redevelopment

Winthrop Square to receive enhancements in connection with tower construction. Since the 2016 version, Millennium Partners decided to redevelop the heart of Winthrop Square. It would include street trees, a water feature, granite paving, flowering understory trees, canopy trees, sculptural benches and a pedestrian connection to Winthrop Square Tower.

Controversy

Many activists and residents in the city have opposed the building's construction, as the building as originally proposed would create a large shadow on Boston Common for at least 90 minutes on some mornings. This would break a state law that prohibits shadows on Boston Common or the Public Garden. The tower was also scrutinized by Massport, claiming that the tower's height would interfere with air traffic from Logan Airport. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has stated that he wishes to modify the state law prohibiting the building's construction, to allow the construction of the tower but to prevent future developments in the area.
The planned height of the building was altered in September 2017, to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration's declaration that the building's proposed height was too tall and would, therefore, disrupt flights from Logan International Airport. The planned height of the building was lowered from to. The height was reduced again, in January 2018, to, and a modified design with a height of was approved on May 1, 2018. Construction is planned to start in the summer of 2018, with completion anticipated in 2022.