Northern Avenue Bridge Development

Proposal to preserve the historic, turn of the century, swing bridge by adaptive reuse as a mixed-use development by the Architectural Heritage Foundation. The scheme creates a direct, enlivened pedestrian connection from downtown Boston across the Fort Point Channel to the emerging Seaport District. The semi-protected route moves through a sequence of streets and plazas, lined with shops, cafes, maritime-based retail and exhibit, with offices above. Several points of access are provided to floating docks and water activities. The existing view corridor across the channel is maintained and dramatic views to the harbor and channel are offered along the pedestrian crossing.

The outer two sections of the three bay bridge structure are infilled with the mixed-use program, creating an open street in the center section. The glazed, semi-transparent infill construction functions as a neutral counterpoint to the bridge structure, and mirror the surrounding context of city and waterfront. Acting as an exoskeleton, the bridge truss members cast shadows on the glass walls of the infill construction in daylight; at night, the infill glows softly, rendering the bridge structure in relief.

*  Deborah Fennick, Principal Architect while with TAMS Architecture