In 1983, Forest City was selected by MIT to redevelop a 27-acre site it owned adjacent to its campus.

Throughout the years, manufacturers of everything from electric stoves to deep-sea telegraph cables had called this home. But there’s also a delicious history here—an enduring piece of American culture was started on this site. The building that now houses KBL (Kennedy Biscuit Lofts, kblliving.com) was once a thriving bakery, which was the home of the original Fig Newton cookie. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and will forever be remember for its culinary contributions.

But alas in 1970 that industrial muscle had left, and the property began to languish. It wasn’t until MIT stepped in and began working with Forest City to transform this area into the essential part of Cambridge it was always meant to be. That forethought of what could and should be is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of all involved.

Crumbling factories and overgrown surroundings were recast as leading-edge residential and commercial space, made lively by landscaped parks and commons.

Local residents were consulted and helped develop a plan that was respectful of the fabric of Cambridge. And to be consistent with the physical character of the neighborhood, the buildings were designed by a diverse group of architects.

We’re part of the fabric of the neighborhood. The essence of University Park is the essence of Cambridge. Eclectic, vibrant, diverse, and exciting. Steeped in education and growth. A mix of people and places that work in harmony with one another to greatly enhance the environment.

Feeling at home has as much to do with your surroundings as it does with your community. At University Park, everything comes together perfectly.

Brick by brick, building by building, an under-used plot of land has morphed into a $650 million gleaming campus, uniting the neighborhood and thus making it one of the best-known facilities of its kind in the US.

University Park was 20 years in the making. Time needed to reach perfection. In total it comprises 2.3 million square feet over 27 acres, four residential complexes—KBL (kblliving.com), loft23 (loft23living.com), 100 (100living.com) and 91 Sidney (91sidneyliving.com)—ten research/office buildings, 250,000 sf of hotel, restaurant, and retail space, and structured parking for more than 2,700 cars. University Park has everything—a complete environment unmatched in its offerings.

But it’s the open spaces that truly connect it and encourages vitality both day and night. The centerpiece is the 1.3-acre University Park Common, winner of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's Urban Landscape Award. Richly landscaped lawns and a public art project make it a destination for local residents to find serenity whenever they choose.

Our accolades also include the prestigious international Urban Land Institute 2004 Award for Excellence. We are proud of this accomplishment because it recognizes a project’s full development. From leadership, design, and contribution to the community. To innovation, environmental protection and enhancement.

Find it all here. University Park is a welcoming and comfortable gathering place for residents, employees, and the broader Cambridge community. We hope you make time to enjoy all it has to offer.