Development
Transformation of an existing downtown garage into a 1M SF trophy office tower. Fully pre-leased during the COVID-19 pandemic and recognized with multiple national awards for design, development, and ESG leadership.
One Congress anchors Bulfinch Crossing, the transformative redevelopment of Boston’s Government Center Garage, as both an architectural landmark and a destination workplace. Designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners with CBT Architects, the 43-story, 600-foot tower sets a new standard for the city’s trophy office space through its scale, refinement, and hospitality-led approach.
Rather than demolish the existing Government Center Garage, the structure was selectively deconstructed and reused, avoiding a complete teardown and significantly reducing the project’s embodied carbon impact. Building above an operational garage demanded precise coordination to maintain access, parking, and transit connections while advancing a 600-foot tower overhead. The garage now functions as the building’s podium, housing one of the largest indoor bicycle facilities in Boston and supporting seamless connections to surrounding transit networks.
Above this base, One Congress features a highly articulated façade defined by curved geometry and shifting planes, departing from a conventional rectilinear envelope. The scale and form of the curtain wall contribute to the building’s distinctive presence on the city’s skyline while framing expansive views across downtown Boston and the Charles River. Beyond its visual impact, the façade is a highly engineered system designed to maximize daylight and energy efficiency across all 43 floors.
One Congress was delivered on a fixed schedule tied to significant leasing commitments and achieved 100% pre-leasing well ahead of delivery. As companies reevaluated workplace strategies and delayed long-term commitments, this was an exceptional outcome amid the unprecedented uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carr Properties secured long-term leases with State Street, InterSystems, and K&L Gates, collectively committing the entire tower prior to completion. These decisions reflected confidence not only in the building’s location and performance, but in the enduring value of a luxury, amenity-rich workplace designed to support evolving ways of working.
One Congress boasts Boston’s first full-floor office amenity center, located on the 11th floor and uniquely constructed above the existing garage structure. This elevated destination includes fitness, conference, dining, and collaborative workspaces, along with expansive outdoor space offering panoramic views.
Wellness and sustainability were embedded into the building’s design as core components of the luxury workplace experience. Built to exceed prevailing Class A standards, the tower delivers a healthier, quieter, and more refined environment while balancing high-performance building systems with comfort, daylight, and long-term efficiency. One Congress achieved LEED-CS v2009 Platinum certification, Fitwel 2-Star certification, and a WELL Health-Safety Rating, reinforcing a holistic approach to performance that prioritizes both people and the planet.
