155-159 Charles Street

MODERN GATEWAY

A DYNAMIC RESPONSE TO AN HISTORIC CONTEXT

PROJECT DETAILS

Location

Boston, MA

Completion Date

2026

Size

14,000 SF | 12 Units

Client

Egeria

Team

Ruthie Kuhlman

Alex Zee

Adrian DiCorato

Collaborator

Awards

Description

This 5-story mixed-use development responds to complicated site forces, providing ground floor retail, an expanded sidewalk and public realm, and 12-units on the upper levels. The architecture responds to both the staid historic streetwall of Charles Street and meets the broader urban moment of Charles Circle and the esplanade.

Deeply Responsive

The project acknowledges the defining characteristics of Beacon Hill—its scale, rhythm, materiality, and street-level vitality—while introducing a building that clearly belongs to its own time. By aligning with the existing cornice heights, reinforcing the cadence of the street façade, activating the ground floor, and carefully selecting materials and detailing that complement the historic palette, the design establishes a respectful dialogue with its context rather than attempting to replicate it.

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RELATED Perspectives

Press

City of Boston News: Pressing Play on Beacon Hill

RODE designs to build strong communities. As architects practicing in Boston, we recognize that working within historic districts carries a responsibility to respect the past, but also to express the contemporary vibrancy of our city.

Our approach to the project at 155 Charles Street—a gateway to the Beacon Hill neighborhood—embraces a confident and contemporary architectural expression while remaining deeply responsive to its surroundings.

March 13, 2026