Project will create a 35,000-square-foot civic gathering space steps from The Embrace on Boston Common
BOSTON — Embrace, the organization behind The Embrace monument honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King on Boston Common, has acquired a prominent Downtown Crossing property that will be transformed into a new civic center, cultural hub, and future public monument dedicated to the legacy of abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
The acquisition of 33-41 West Street marks a major expansion of Embrace’s mission to create public spaces centered on equity, civic engagement, and historical reflection. Located just steps from The Embrace and the 1965 Freedom Plaza on Boston Common, the two-building property will become a 35,000-square-foot destination designed as an indoor civic commons for residents and visitors alike.
The project aims to reimagine the historic concept of Boston’s meeting houses as a modern gathering place where community organizations, artists, residents, and visitors can convene year-round.
“At a time when monuments are being removed, programs are being defunded, and major companies are walking back commitments, this national center represents a space to take back our democracy and inspire its rebirth for generations to come,” said Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries, president and CEO of Embrace Boston.
The announcement comes ahead of Juneteenth and amid ongoing national conversations about public memory, civic space, and representation in public art.
Embrace gained national attention in 2023 with the unveiling of The Embrace, the first new monument installed on Boston Common in more than three decades. Created by artist Hank Willis Thomas, the sculpture has become a prominent symbol of social justice and inclusion in the city. The new West Street project seeks to build on that momentum by creating a permanent indoor destination dedicated to civic dialogue, culture, and community engagement.
Plans for the property include rotating art exhibitions, flexible event and meeting spaces, a café concept, a podcast studio, and gathering areas for nonprofit organizations and community groups. The upper floors will continue to house commercial and organizational tenants.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey praised the project as an investment in both the arts and civic life.
“This is about more than a building,” Healey said. “It’s about creating a space where people from every neighborhood and background can come together to connect, reflect, create and leave a meaningful impact on our communities.”
The center’s identity will be rooted in the legacy of Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery and settled in Massachusetts in the 1840s before becoming one of the nation’s most influential abolitionists and civil rights advocates. Douglass spent significant time in Boston during the height of the abolitionist movement, making the city a fitting location for a civic institution inspired by his work and vision.
As part of the project, Embrace plans to launch a national call for artists later this year to create a major public artwork that will transform the building itself into a civic monument. Organizers say the commission will extend the legacy of The Embrace while creating a new landmark that reflects both Boston’s history and its future.
Details regarding the artist selection process and project timeline are expected to be released this fall.
The acquisition was supported by contributions from longtime donors, including members of Embrace’s board of directors, Sandy and Paul Edgerley, and Katie and Paul Buttenwieser, along with financing from Eastern Bank. Legal support was provided on a pro bono basis by Morrison Foerster and Goodwin Procter.
While the property acquisition secures the future site, Embrace is continuing to raise funds for the building’s renovation, programming, and public art components. Organization leaders say the project represents a long-term investment in Boston’s civic and cultural infrastructure and is intended to become a destination for public engagement, artistic expression, and democratic participation for generations to come.
