CAMBRIDGE, Mass- Cambridge Crossing (CX) is a winner of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) 2023 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence. CX is one of ten developments from across North America, now competing against projects from Europe and Asia Pacific in the 2023 ULI Global Awards for Excellence.
“We are thrilled and proud to have been selected as a winner of the prestigious ULI Americas Awards for Excellence,” said Mark Roopenian, Managing Director of DivcoWest. “Since breaking ground six years ago, our team has worked extensively with our planning and construction partners to build out a neighborhood in Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston that reflects an inclusive, equitable, and accessible space. This award is a culmination of the hard work of many individuals and municipalities, and we thank those who have made Cambridge Crossing the vibrant community it is today.”
This year, 68 projects and programs from across the Americas were considered, and a jury of experts in a range of fields, selected 20 finalists. The jury selected ten winners after an interview and site visit with each finalist.
The award recognizes superior development efforts in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors and encompasses a wide range of land uses, sizes, and investments. According to ULI, the project was evaluated on the approach taken to urban planning, design, community engagement, innovation, sustainability, among others. All of which worked together to bring DivcoWest’s vision for the CX neighborhood to life. The CX team has worked closely with local municipalities, leaders, and organizations to strengthen public-private partnerships to expedite and enhance planned projects. In 2021, the long-awaited Green Line Extension (GLX) opened, extending the Green Line into Somerville and Medford, a move supported by DivcoWest. Today, the new Lechmere Station is at CX, which also supports a bus station and a public access cycle center connecting to a regional bike path network.
In 2015, the transformation by DivcoWest of 43 acres in Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston began, with the goal of connecting the former railyard to Kendall Square and the surrounding neighborhoods. With a focus on accessibility and mixed-use spaces, the master plan for the neighborhood was designed around the multitude of public transit options and walkability.
When fully completed, CX will have a total of 4.5 million square feet, with close to half being life science and technology space. In the past three years, it has become home to world-class life science companies, such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Philips, Sanofi, and Cerevel Therapeutics, with more availability opening this year. 11 acres of this innovation hub offers live-work-play-learn spaces including a central common, a picnic grove, and a dog park. Throughout the year, the common and central arteries are activated with public programming and art installations with local partners to highlight the history and impact of individuals from the area. Plus, two MBTA stations, including the Lechmere Green Line stop and the Community College Orange Line stop, are minutes away. Completed last year and currently leasing, Park 151, is the first residential building at CX and offers 468 units.
