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):
- Brick work on scaffolding is underway in the tarped area on the north side of the site (the Harvard track side). 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 on the third-floor roof with asphalt roofing installation to follow. Three cranes are working on site. A concrete pad will be placed near the loading dock. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades continue working on multiple levels. The hoist is removed and façade and masonry infill work beginning with scaffolding installation and tarping taking place. Finishing work and interior fit outs continue with some lower floor work complete as crews work their way up the building. Dry wall work is finishing. Some finish framing work continues in the building. Window installation is complete, except for hoist area infill work. Kitchen and bathroom work continues. Lighting has been adjusted to account for the shorter days.
- PLEASE NOTE: The new buildings’ loading docks off Ivy Lane are in full use receiving most project deliveries, creating some increased truck traffic on Ivy Lane.
- Work continues on the one level bike pavilion with different trades working at various times, which will produce some intermittent noise. Mass timber beams, columns and walls are being installed. A mobile crane (boom truck) is used intermittently.
- In the courtyard, the deck area is being cleared off with waterproofing underway. Landscaping and hardscaping will follow near the bike pavilion around the residential building working towards the track side of the site. All this work is weather dependent.
- 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. Some roofing is underway. Masons are working on exterior walls. Exterior façade and window work are underway. The large curtain wall installation along North Harvard Street facing the lobby will continue.
- Staging to support the brick façade work follows the brick activity around the building and is removed when the bricks are in place. A multi-trade scaffolding system is set up as chimney work continues. Exterior tarp protection at openings and around scaffolding is installed. Framing and insulation in underway on the two building sections along Ivy Lane. This will be followed by wood cladding installation to start on the North Harvard side of the building. 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. An exterior concrete pad will be placed, followed by steel for bicycle storage. Work on overhead balconies and catwalk systems is finishing up. Daily steel, block, and wood deliveries continue.
- 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 Saturday, January 17, including roofing, masonry, scaffolding installation along with some interior finish trades and general clean up. No road closures will be required.
- A crew at the ART project will be working on Saturday, January 17, installing curtainwall and general cleanup. Saturday work can be expected through the winter.
- The contractor at the affiliate housing building plans to install scaffolding in the tower and do infill flooring work in the former hoist area of the tower on Sunday, January 18.
- On the Monday holiday, January 19, limited work will take place on site at the ART project. The affiliate housing building project site will be closed.
- Storage deliveries take place at the building mock-ups area 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 snow and ice removal may be necessary this winter.
- Temporary heaters are operational on the ground level at both projects. Fuel deliveries for temporary heaters may take place daily, including Sundays and holidays.