175 North Harvard Street Project Construction
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 scaffolding lift system is being removed where curtainwall installation and masonry are complete. Brick work on scaffolding is underway in the tarped area on the north side of the site (the Harvard track side). Temporary heaters have been set up in this area. Brickwork is nearly complete on the low-rise and the mid-rise and on the south side of the tower. Some brickwork will be taking place in the courtyard. Two cranes are supporting the brick installation. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades continue working on multiple levels. Miscellaneous deliveries to the hoist will continue. The hoist is targeted to be taken down the first week of January, which will require some after-hours work. Elevators will be active once the hoist is removed right after the New Year. Finishing work and interior fit outs starting on the lower floors continue throughout the building. Dry wall work is underway on the upper levels. Dry wall deliveries are slowing down, yet continue to take place on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays. Drywall should be completed by the end of the year. Some finish framing work continues in the building. Window installation is complete, except for hoist area infill work taking place later this winter. Kitchen and bathroom work continues. Some drainage and small utility work continue. Ramp work in the garage will start soon. Lighting has been adjusted to account for the shorter days. Post-Thanksgiving, crews are mostly working in the interior of the building.
- Foundation work for a new bike pavilion is underway. Work will continue on the pavilion into the winter with different trades working at various times, which will produce some intermittent noise. A mobile crane (boom truck) is used intermittently.
- Perimeter jersey barriers and fences will be relocated in support of the exterior sitework. Security and 24-7 monitored camera coverage will be maintained with appropriate signage.
- PLEASE NOTE: South Campus Drive will be closed to vehicles during regular work hours through May 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to accommodate crane access and large delivery vehicles. The road will be open to traffic each day after 5:00 p.m. Adjustments have been made to roadway lighting to account for the shorter days.
- Access to Ivy Lane for the general public and the Continuum, Sloane’s, and Trader Joe’s deliveries will remain a priority. If necessary, construction delivery vehicles will be diverted until they can unload in a way that does not impede traffic on Ivy Lane.
- When South Campus Drive is closed, all traffic leaving the Continuum and Trader Joe’s parking garage will be instructed to make a right turn only out of the garage. Signage will be provided to divert traffic as needed, and police details will be on site to provide assistance. The signage will be covered after the end of each shift so vehicles can use South Campus Drive.
- A light pole has been removed along the walking path adjacent to McCurdy Track along South Campus Drive to provide truck turn radius access for trailers.
- Wheel washing and street sweeping continue to ensure soil is not being tracked through the neighborhood streets.
- On the new American Repertory Theater (ART) work site, mass timber structural and detail installation is complete. Roofing is ongoing. Masons are also working on walls. Exterior façade and window work is underway. Staging is up to support the brick façade work and will be removed soon on the courtyard side of the building. On the north side of the building closer to the Harvard track, winter scaffolding wrap is in place for the brick work, which is scheduled to be completed on that side later in December. A multi-trade scaffolding system is set up by the chimneys and will continue through December. A crane will be on site to assist with the scaffolding on Tuesday or Wednesday, December 9 and 10. Miscellaneous steel installation will wrap up by the end of December. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades are working. Drywall work is taking place around the mass timber components. Wood protection trades and mechanical systems installation continue. Concrete slab placement continues. Exterior tarp protection at openings is installed throughout the building. Exterior wall framing and insulation to prepare for wood cladding installation will come around from North Harvard Street sections of the building followed by the two sections along Ivy Lane. Work on overhead balconies and catwalk systems continues into December. The building is on schedule to be weather-tight by mid-December. Daily steel, block, and wood deliveries continue. Temporary heaters are in use.
- Drones are flying over the site on a bi-weekly basis to capture project progress.
- Work will be taking place at the affiliate housing building on Saturdays, December 6 and December 13, doing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, exterior masonry, some interior finish trades and general clean up. Some Saturday work can be expected each week going forward. Road closures are not anticipated on Saturdays.
- A crew at the ART project will be working on Saturday, December 6, installing roofing, curtainwalls, and tarps at temporary openings as well as general clean up. Saturday work can be expected through the winter.
- The contractor at the affiliate housing building plans to work on Sunday, December 7, to complete some roofing work.
- There is no work taking place at the building mock-up across North Harvard Street.
- The projects are under camera surveillance, with live monitoring and audible messaging.
- 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.
- Off-hours water management may be needed for the ART mass timber roofs and structures during and after rain events.