Why Boston Is Moving From Brownstones to High-Rise Condos

Boston brownstones may create the quintessential image of a Beantown neighborhood, but more and more residents are opting to pull up stakes and head to high-rise condos. Why the switch? Here's what Boston architecture buffs need to know about the city's ascension from rowhouses to luxurious residential skyscrapers.

Room for Growth 
The Boston skyline


Building upward means room for more residents. After all, the city only has so much square footage, which means that any expansion eventually has to go vertical. As urban dwellers know, the downtown lifestyle is defined by lots of people bringing their energy, creativity, and brainpower to a relatively small space. This dynamic defines Boston, which is America's third most population-dense city, according to the Boston Globe.

Amenities Create Resort-style Living


As ever more high-rises dot the skyline, these buildings expand beyond condos to include retail space, entertainment, eateries, and amenities such as spas and gyms. This lifestyle attracts a younger generation of recent grads that might otherwise leave the city. These conveniences are also aimed at wealthy international magnates who need a place to stay when they visit the city. Because these individuals are paying taxes without using public services often, it's a huge boon for Boston's bottom line.

The Role of Inclusive Development


High-rises also fit the city's vision for a sustainable, accessible future. Boston's Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) has set a lofty goal to create 53,000 new affordable housing units by 2030 that would help to stabilize the market rate housing for middle-income buyers. This vision can be supported by new high-rise condo developments, which can accommodate more tenants at a variety of price points.

Vanko Studio Architects has helped countless clients create high-rise and multi-family buildings that meet the growing demands of Boston residents and investors. If you are looking for an out-of-the-box creative team to help bring your vision to life, contact us for a consultation by calling 617-502-1120 or completing our online form.

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