Seaport District Public Realm

Boston’s live-work-play neighborhood, conceived as an innovation district, has steadily evolved with each project built there over the past decade. It is the continuity of experience through streets, sidewalks, and open spaces that creates the identity of this vibrant urban place.

In South Boston, Reed Hilderbrand has created the landscape master plan for the city’s largest urban real estate development. Once a vast landscape of cheap parking lots, we planned the centerpiece—Seaport Square Park—to fulfill a vision established by Boston Global Investors, Morgan Stanley, Boston Planning and Development Agency, and Mayor Thomas Menino. The square connects to a series of neighborhood greens and plazas.

0040 B C N5 wb — An oak grove orders a shady sidewalk environment along Seaport Boulevard.

The heart of the Seaport District, the Common links Seaport Boulevard to the waterfront and Harbor Walk.

Seaport Common

Seaport Common serves at once as a plaza for events and gathering and as a place of shade and refuge from the busy streets. A strong civic identity is also present in the landscape, which is distinguished by the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial. This 50’ reflective steel obelisk designed by James Carpenter Design Associates rises as a beacon along Northern Avenue, one block from the harbor’s edge.

2612 N15 wb — The Birch Walk creates a shaded corridor along the edge of the busy Common, screened from busy city life by dense canopy.

2612 N6 wb — A favored spot for exercise classes, Seaport Common features just enough planting to feel protected and just enough openness to the surrounding urban environment to welcome people in.

2612 N14 wb — The Common is conceived as a flexible landscape suitable for all manner of public space program, from fitness to performance to pop-up retail.

Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial

Seaport Common serves at once as a plaza for events and gathering and as a place of shade and refuge from the busy streets. A strong civic identity is also present in the landscape, which is distinguished by the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial. This 50’ reflective steel obelisk designed by James Carpenter Design Associates rises as a beacon along Northern Avenue, one block from the harbor’s edge.

Screenshot 2025 09 02 at 12 31 58 PM — Seaport Common’s completion was distinguished by the dedication of the park’s Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in 2016.

2612 N9 wb — Visitors interact with flowing water on the steps of the memorial.

2612 N11 wb — The memorial is a 50’ reflective steel obelisk, designed by James Carpenter, set within a water feature that cascades down to Northern Avenue, one block from the Harbor’s edge.

A new Boston neighborhood conceived as district for innovation, realized with care for daily life and civic culture.

Seaport District Public Realm

Boston, Massachusetts

Seaport Common

Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial