MIT proposes zoning ideas for Kendall Square to the Cambridge Planning Board
The One Broadway development at MIT is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from its original commercial focus and towards a residential and innovation space. The proposed housing for the addition now stands at 300 units, an increase from the initial 120 units.
The updated plans for One Broadway primarily maintain its role as a flexible, high-quality office and coworking space. It continues to attract startups, corporations, and nonprofits within Kendall Square's innovation district. However, there is no indication of new housing or retail space being added specifically at One Broadway in the latest information available.
In contrast, separate nearby developments, such as the Broadway Park project at 240 Broadway in Cambridge’s Port neighborhood, are focused on affordable rental housing built to Passive House standards. These projects emphasize affordable residential units, contrasting with potential luxury market trends in nearby corridor upzoning plans.
Cambridge’s corridor upzoning plans increase building heights but raise concerns about affordability and displacement, with no direct impact on One Broadway noted yet. The broader city context shows ongoing discussion about targeting housing to actual community needs, notably affordable apartments, rather than luxury units that are more prevalent in new luxury developments.
A notable addition to the One Broadway proposal is a "Community Living Room" for public cultural and educational programming. The retail space and innovation space in the proposal are expansions from its original focus, now planned district-wide, not just centered around the MBTA station area.
MIT is also contributing to the city's affordable housing efforts. The Institute will provide up to $10 million to the City's Affordable Housing Trust through a proposal from the K2 Committee. This commitment is in addition to the up to $4 million MIT will contribute through an established housing incentive payment mechanism.
The One Broadway building, originally commercial, has transitioned to primarily residential with innovation space. The proposal also implements a participative conceptual gateway design process that integrates with planning for the rest of the East Campus area, as per Provost Kaiser's response to the faculty task force recommendations.
Broad Canal, Point Park with Charles River access, and MIT's Infinite Corridor are included as areas for vibrant public interaction, in addition to Main Street. This reflects the most recent update as of mid-2025 from Cambridge city planning and real estate listings.
- The updated plans for One Broadway include a "Community Living Room" for public cultural and educational programming, emphasizing its role as a community space.
- MIT has pledged up to $10 million to the City's Affordable Housing Trust, demonstrating its commitment towards addressing the city's affordable housing needs.
- In contrast to One Broadway, the Broadway Park project focuses on affordable rental housing built to Passive House standards, prioritizing affordable residential units.
- The One Broadway development's proposed retail space and innovation space are expansions from its original focus, now planned district-wide, not just centered around the MBTA station area.
- The One Broadway building, originally designed for commercial use, is undergoing a transformation towards primarily residential with innovation space, following the faculty task force recommendations.
- The broader city context shows ongoing discussion about targeting housing to actual community needs, with concerns about affordability and displacement in correlation with luxury real-estate developments and corridor upzoning plans.
