Built in 1979, 33 Hayden Avenue was occupied by a primary tenant until 2004. Upon vacancy, Boston Properties realized that many of the building’s original finishes had outlived their lifespans.
Two primary building elements stymied the facility’s visual impact - the entries and the 3-story atrium. The original recessive entries, set back into “niches” at two sides of the building, provided little identification of an entry point and no visibility from the street. The old atrium had carpet that covered stone flooring and was poorly lit with outdated fixtures.
Special Design Features
The new entry design introduces larger vestibules with standing-seam sloped metal canopies. The entries extend past the face of the brick and offer a more prominent presence that is visible from the street. In the atrium, the original stone tile was removed and replaced with polished and flame-finished granite to define the “path” from entries to the elevators. The rest of the atrium received new carpet to match the corridors and stairs. Lighting was also updated throughout the space, making it brighter and more modern.
Design/Construction Challenge
Updating an outmoded space meant complying with current building codes - particularly with the elevators. Original operating equipment was replaced with state-of-the-art systems.
