Parcel 12 in Boston, MA
Fire and Life Safety Services
SOCOTEC delivered comprehensive Fire Protection and Life Safety consulting services for Parcel 12, a transformative $700 million mixed-use development in Boston featuring a 21-story office tower and 14-story hotel with 380 guest rooms, bridging the South End, Back Bay, and Fenway neighborhoods.
Key Information
Project name: Parcel 12 Mixed-Use Development
Project Type: New Construction - Mixed-Use Development Over Highway
Client: Samuels & Associates
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Services Provided: Fire & Life Safety Consulting
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The Challenge
A High-Rise Project Focused on Safety and Walkability
This 545,000 square-foot development rises above the Massachusetts Pike, bridging the South End, Back Bay, and Fenway neighborhoods. This intricate and multifaceted project includes 450,000 square feet of commercial space, 50,000 square feet dedicated to retail and dining, and a 144,000 square-foot hotel spread across two towers. The development aims to enhance connectivity between neighborhoods, ensure safe passage, and address safety concerns in a previously hazardous corner of the walkable area.
- Building Above Active Infrastructure: Parcel 12 spans multiple rail lines and six lanes of I‑90, requiring advanced life safety planning tailored to air‑rights construction—an environment with high‑risk access constraints and strict code requirements.
- Tight Urban Site & Limited Access: With surrounding structures and major roadways restricting site access, material deliveries and safety systems needed to be meticulously coordinated to maintain safe operations throughout construction.
- Complex Mixed‑Use Design: Two distinct towers—office and hotel—introduced varied occupancy classifications, each requiring tailored egress, smoke control strategies, and life‑safety system integration.
- Improving a Hazardous Urban Corner: The site historically presented connectivity and safety challenges for pedestrians. The project aimed to create safer, more continuous public pathways across the Turnpike corridor.
This 545,000 square-foot development rises above the Massachusetts Pike, bridging the South End, Back Bay, and Fenway neighborhoods. This intricate and multifaceted project includes 450,000 square feet of commercial space, 50,000 square feet dedicated to retail and dining, and a 144,000 square-foot hotel spread across two towers. The development aims to enhance connectivity between neighborhoods, ensure safe passage, and address safety concerns in a previously hazardous corner of the walkable area.
- Building Above Active Infrastructure: Parcel 12 spans multiple rail lines and six lanes of I‑90, requiring advanced life safety planning tailored to air‑rights construction—an environment with high‑risk access constraints and strict code requirements.
- Tight Urban Site & Limited Access: With surrounding structures and major roadways restricting site access, material deliveries and safety systems needed to be meticulously coordinated to maintain safe operations throughout construction.
- Complex Mixed‑Use Design: Two distinct towers—office and hotel—introduced varied occupancy classifications, each requiring tailored egress, smoke control strategies, and life‑safety system integration.
- Improving a Hazardous Urban Corner: The site historically presented connectivity and safety challenges for pedestrians. The project aimed to create safer, more continuous public pathways across the Turnpike corridor.
The Solution
Comprehensive Fire Protection & Life Safety Engineering Excellence
SOCOTEC provided integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety consulting services throughout all design phases, working collaboratively with Samuels & Associates, the design team, and regulatory authorities to develop innovative fire safety solutions for this landmark Boston development.
The Results
Holistic Fire & Life Safety Strategy
SOCOTEC delivered a full fire‑life‑safety approach for the entire development—ensuring compliant fire separations, emergency access, and systems performance across office, hotel, retail, and public spaces.
Code‑Compliant Design Integration
Our team coordinated closely with architects and engineers to implement egress modeling, smoke control solutions, and vertical circulation design tailored to the site’s mixed‑use occupancy.
Supporting Safe Public Realm Enhancements
By addressing long‑standing safety concerns in this heavily trafficked urban zone, SOCOTEC contributed to new, improved pedestrian connections between key Boston neighborhoods.
Enabling a Signature Destination
SOCOTEC’s fire and life safety services helped unlock a dynamic new commercial and hospitality hub that strengthens neighborhood connectivity and transforms a once‑neglected area above the Turnpike.
