Watertown Mall Transformation Community

3d render of Watertown Mall Transformation — Introducing
Watertown Mall Transformation

Project Location:

550 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472

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3d render of Watertown Mall Transformation plan — What's in the Works

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. is transforming the existing Watertown Mall at 550 Arsenal Street, along with properties at 446, 458, and 500 Arsenal Street and 480 Arsenal Way, into a vibrant new research and development campus that will also provide 88 residential units and ground floor retail space.

The proposed Watertown Mall Transformation Project will create a significant amount of new public open space, improve pedestrian and bicycle connections, add bicycle racks and tree plantings, upgrade the existing stormwater management system, and incorporate numerous climate resilience measures.

front entrance of Watertown Mall building

What's There Now

The site is currently occupied by a number of single-story retail and office buildings totaling 558,000 sf with large surface parking lots.

Public Benefits

Pedestrian Streetscape and Public Plaza

Proposed streetscape improvements will transform the character and identity along Arsenal Street by providing a broad shared-use path, consistent tree canopy coverage, Bluebike stations, MBTA bus shelters, and ground-plane perennial and shrub planting. Three acres of plaza, promenades, lawns, and integrated pedestrian and bicycle connections will be created for a 225% increase in open public space.

Diversity of Uses

The Project will provide a variety of new and existing retail, office, research and amenity spaces.

Trees and Resiliency

To diversify the canopy, high-performance urban planting practices, with a focus on native and adaptive species, will be implemented. There will be approx. 522 new trees, and 299 trees to remain.

Housing

In response to feedback from the community and the City of Watertown, the Project has incorporated residential uses and will provide 88 rental apartments with a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units.

Bicycle Parking

The Project will include accessible bike parking in prominent locations for a range of bicycle types, including traditional bikes, e-bikes, and cargo bikes.

Sustainability

The Project is targeting LEED Gold certification and Fitwel Life Sciences Certified. Building systems are designed to accommodate a future transition to all-electric. Rooftop-mounted solar will be provided on parking garages and two office/lab buildings.

Connectivity

The Project will enhance regional connectivity by improving pedestrian and bicycle connections along Arsenal Street and between the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway and Arsenal Street.

Retail

Several existing community retailers will be retained, and new retailers will be added.

Transportation and Parking

Improvements along the intersection at Arsenal Street at Greenough Boulevard will improve pedestrian safety and complement ongoing local improvement efforts. On-site, at least 20% of the parking spaces will include EV charging.

Open Space

225% increase in open space over existing conditions including three acres of new open and green space, plazas and pedestrian areas. Impervious area will be reduced by 20% from existing conditions.

Storms & Flood Protection

An updated stormwater management system will be installed to promote a more natural water cycle. Rainwater will be captured, treated, and reused on site. Impervious surface area will be reduced by 20% from existing conditions.

Community Space

The proposed Project reimagines the landscape by providing 8.79 acres of publicly accessible open space, comprised of shaded walks, courtyards, plazas, and re-forested areas.

Green Building

The Project may include an innovative mass timber office/lab building. Rooftop mounted solar will be provided on parking garages and two office/lab buildings.