Work on the Boston Ave. Residence Facility to Begin April 14

Dear Tufts community members,

I am thrilled to share that the development of a new, state-of-the-art student residence facility on the Medford/Somerville campus is moving forward. On February 5, the project received site plan approval from the City of Medford’s Community Development Board, and site preparation is set to kick off the week of April 14.

The energy-efficient residence facility—developed and managed by Capstone Development Partners—will be available to over 660 juniors and seniors when it opens in August 2027. This will not only attract more students to campus but also help free up housing in Medford and Somerville for working families in our community.

Located at 401-403 Boston Avenue next to Dowling Hall, the building will offer residents easy access to campus and the Medford/Tufts Green Line station. The ground floor will feature new retail space, adding vibrancy to the neighborhood. Tufts and Capstone’s team, including members of Elkus Manfredi Architects and Erland Construction, have worked closely with our neighbors and the City of Medford over the past several months to ensure the building design enhances both student life and the surrounding area by making Boston Avenue safer, greener, and more accessible. 

Through design adjustments and financial relief measures, we reached mutually beneficial solutions—ones that will ultimately serve the interests of our surrounding neighbors, the City of Medford, and Tufts. Special thanks to Barb Stein, Jim Hurley, Mary Jeka, Rocco DiRico, their teams, and our partners on the Capstone team, including Elkus Manfredi Architects and Erland Construction, for their dedication and hard work in making this project a reality. Read more on Tufts Now. 

What to Expect During Construction:
During construction, there will be some temporary changes to parking, transportation, and pedestrian access along Boston Avenue between University Avenue and Dowling Garage. Stay informed by checking out the construction updates and the project FAQ. 

This new residence facility represents a significant commitment to the student experience at Tufts. It provides modern, sustainable housing that will enhance campus life for generations to come. By increasing housing options, we are supporting our students’ academic and social growth and strengthening our relationship with our surrounding communities.

Best regards,

Michael W. Howard
Executive Vice President