Week of February 3, 2025

175 North Harvard Street

The following is an overview of the work taking place at the 175 North Harvard construction site at the future location of the new Harvard University affiliate housing building and American Repertory Theatre (ART):

The structural steel phase of the housing project is complete. Steel decking installation and detailing is expected to be complete by the end of this month. Concrete deck placements will continue on upper levels to the roof and should be completed by mid-February, weather permitting. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades continue to work throughout the site. Crews are fireproofing on the 8th level. This work is progressing up the building. Window deliveries continue and installation will start this week. Crews are backfilling foundations and performing site work.

The tower crane will be in use for the next couple of weeks during normal working hours as crews continue to work through winter weather conditions. The crane is currently scheduled to be disassembled and removed from the site over the weekend beginning Friday evening, February 14. Because this is a sizeable undertaking, the crane disassembly will require early morning and later evening hours through the weekend with removal complete by Sunday, February 16. The project team appreciates the community’s understanding during this after-hours work.

The height of the temporary construction hoist has been increased to the roof. Work continues on doors and ramps. Some work may be in the evening when the hoist is not operational.

Crews continue to install building wrap to retain temporary heat on upper floors during concrete and fireproofing activities. A small amount of noise associated with the temporary heaters falls within normal limits and may be heard off-hours. Tarping is removed at the lower floors after the fireproofing is complete.

During the week of February 3, work at the new affiliate housing building will require the closure of South Campus Drive to all vehicles during working hours Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to support multiple concrete placements and critical deliveries that need to use South Campus Drive for access. All traffic leaving the Continuum and Trader Joe’s parking will be instructed to make a right turn only out of the garage. The road will be open to traffic each day after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends. Signage and details will be provided to divert traffic as needed, and police details will be on site to provide assistance.

Occasional concrete deck placements continue on the upper levels to the roof level during regular work hours throughout this month – some finishing work will extend beyond 9:00 p.m. with the colder temperatures. Noise is generated by the power trowels used for finishing. The fresh concrete needs to be covered with blankets for warmth while curing. A pump truck will be present on South Campus Drive during concrete pours.

Wheel washing and street sweeping continues to ensure soil is not being tracked through the neighborhood streets.

On the new American Repertory Theater (ART) work site, steel erection is complete. Backfilling for exterior walls and excavating for utilities, footings, and piers continues. Utility work continues around the building perimeter. Steel detailing for the theatre’s stage and fly tower structure and concrete placements for piers and footings are finishing up. The boom lifts from lower levels were removed from the site last week.

Mass timber (engineered wood products known for their strength, durability, versatility and sustainability) will follow beginning on Monday, February 24. A crane to support this work will mobilize mid-February. This work is expected to take about seven months to complete.

Adjustments continue on the building mock-ups to review design and constructability across North Harvard Street. A surrounding structure will be built at the housing building mock-up to retain heat for flashing and masonry work. At the ART mockup, miscellaneous activities will take place intermittently.

Crews at the affiliate housing building site will be working on Saturdays, February 1 and February 8, weather permitting, performing some welding and installing some steel sections. Heaters will be maintained by workers on Sundays through the winter.

Off hours snow and ice removal are expected as needed.

The project’s regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays as permitted by the City of Boston from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.