BOSTON — The Chiofaro Co., a locally based investment and development firm, has unveiled plans for the $100 million transformation of International Place, a 1.8 million-square-foot office complex in downtown Boston.
Built in phases between 1987 and 1992, International Place consists of a 46-story tower and a 35-story building that are connected by a public courtyard. The complex is home to more than 90 tenants, many of which are in the legal, financial services and tech sectors.
Global architecture firm Gensler is leading the design of the project, the centerpiece of which will be a 16,000-square-foot amenity center that will be known as The Aries Club. This center will house a tenant lounge, flexible workspaces, conferencing facilities, podcast rooms, mothers’ rooms, a bar and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor terrace. Chiofaro will contract a third-party hospitality management group to run The Aries Club.
The capital improvement program also calls for the renovation of the entrance of One International Place with upgraded lighting and protective glass canopies to imbue the building with more hospitality-like curb appeal. Ownership will also modernize the retail storefronts at One International Place.
At Two International Place, Chiofaro is planning a similar renovation of the entrance to elevate lighting, seating and accessibility. The lobby itself will be redesigned to feature tech-enabled seating options, enhanced security measures and new art installations. Lastly, the retail space will be revamped to support an 8,000-square-foot restaurant.
IP Commons, the courtyard that links the two buildings and International Place’s central gathering area, will be reconceived to feel like an indoor oasis. The new space will feature indoor greenery, a glass ceiling, water attractions and a range of illumination options for special events and activities.
Lastly, the project aims to upgrade the complex’s technological infrastructure and wellness features. On the tech front, these measures include:
- Touchless bathroom access and fixtures
- Destination dispatch elevators
- License plate recognition software for the garage
- A fully integrated building app to facilitate communication
In terms of wellness and convenience, Chiofaro will add a daycare center and dental practice and upgrade the existing fitness center with new locker rooms. Ownership also plans to add more electric vehicle charging stations and parking/storage spaces exclusively for bikes and scooters.
“Work preferences continue to evolve, but the desire of being in proximity to innovative thinkers and being an integral part of a team is fundamentally human, says Don Chiofaro Jr., vice president of Chiofaro Co. “People want to feel connected, valued and productive. Younger workers are eager to be close to social opportunities and activities they can’t get at home. For that reason, existing companies want to maintain central, urban presences.”
The project will be executed in phases and is expected to take about two years to complete.
— Taylor Williams