Columbus Lot

Urban Design and Open Space Principles

The 2.7 acre surface parking lot located at 795 Columbus Avenue between the Renaissance Park Parking Garage and the Columbus Parking Garage, south of the MBTA tracks and on the north side of Columbus Avenue, is one of the last large potential development sites in the South Campus Precinct. 

Redevelopment of this parking lot provides an opportunity to strengthen Columbus Avenue as a main campus corridor and continues the improvements to and investment in Lower Roxbury that began during the prior IMP as the Northeastern gradually shifted its center to the south and across the MBTA/AMTRAK rails.

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Building Program

The general program concept for ISEB consists of research and office space for new faculty hires, interdisciplinary clusters / collaborative space, specialized teaching labs, classrooms, and student space with up to approximately 220,000 GSF of floor area. 

Other development on Columbus Lot, which may not take place for several years, could ultimately consist of up to four buildings (with open space and underground parking) would provide academic and research space for science, health sciences, engineering and cross-disciplinary research and teaching (See Figure 7-2). Additional contemplated uses on the Columbus Lot include classrooms, studios, and academic department/college space, which will also accommodate student experience and event space.

Later projects on Columbus Lot may provide opportunities for development partnerships to facilitate Northeastern’s academic program growth. Timing will depend on resources and pace of hiring.