$2B, 15-Acre USQ Development Breaks Ground In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA — A large-scale development in Somerville's Union Square neighborhood broke ground this week.

The $2 billion, 15-acre USQ development will consist of 1.2 million square feet of new lab and office space; 1,000 residences, including 200 affordable units; 3.6 acres of parks and open space; 11 new, multi-purpose civic open spaces; 140,000 square feet of retail; 74,000 square feet of arts and creative space; and 175 hotel rooms.

Developer US2 and Mayor Joseph Curtatone were on hand for the groundbreaking Wednesday, ushering in a transformation for the historic neighborhood.

The project is central to Somerville's growth plans and is being implemented in collaboration with the Somerville Redevelopment Authority under the Union Square Revitalization Plan. It will also be home to a new Green Line Extension stop, Union Square Station, which will connect passengers to North Station and is slated to open in December.

"No other modern-day development can lay claim to being in a neighborhood so steeped in American history. The pride we take in developing these 15 acres quite literally draws on centuries of historical milestones," Greg Karczewski, president of US2, said. "Whether visiting the Prospect Hill Memorial Flag Tower to find views of the city, or simply sitting in the square watching street musicians, you can sense how innate it is to Union Square’s identity to push forward, reinvent, transform and explore. When USQ comes to fruition, we are confident that it will honor and enhance these Somerville values."

The first site, 10-50 Prospect Street, covers 4 acres in the heart of the neighborhood and adjacent to the new Green Line stop. It will be home to three buildings with 194,000 square feet of lab and innovation space, 450 apartment units, as well as retail and arts and creative spaces and 271 parking spaces. The site is slated to begin occupancy in winter 2022.

"It's exciting to be kicking off this phase of development in Union Square. Through both the SomerVision comprehensive plan and the Union Square Neighborhood Plan, the community told us what it values, and it's encouraging to work with development teams that work with what residents have said is important," Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said. "Soon there will be new housing, jobs, and open space right in the heart of Union Square and next to the new Green Line T stop. Creating new housing and office and lab space not only helps us reach our community-driven goals, but also helps to support and grow our local economy."

Click here for more information about the development.