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1. Harvard University 

Two major developments by Harvard University will open their doors this year. 

The first phase of Harvard’s Enterprise Research Center (ERC) will roll out a conference center, a hotel, and residential buildings throughout early 2026. In January, the Rubenstein Conference Center will open its first floor where Phin Coffee House, which serves Vietnamese specialty coffee, is seeking a license to operate. In the following month, Atlas Hotel and lab space is expected to open in February. This phase of the ERC will also include two residential buildings, known as the ‘Verra,’ with 345 units — 25 percent of which will be income restricted. 

The American Repertory Theater will relocate to their new building on 175 North Harvard Avenue upon its completion in fall 2026. In its first year, the theater will provide Allston-Brighton residents with an ‘A.R.T Access Card,’ which includes access to performance discounts, subscription packages and a special mailing list. The A.R.T will also put on a neighborhood-centered event and a community program every year for the next ten years. Next to the theater, a 13-story residential building will provide 275 units of housing to Harvard affiliates with 75 underground parking spaces. The A.R.T currently produces shows at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, MA. 

2. Ringer Park Renovation

Ringer Park has been closed since October 2025 to undergo repair and renovations. In a recent update, project manager Nelle Ward reports that the park will be completely open by summer 2026. The pathway through the park is expected to re-open by March 2026. Renovations for Ringer Park completed the design period and awarded the construction contract to Omega Landscape in late summer of 2025. The renovations include widening entrances for wheelchair users and installing a new playground with a splash pad and dog park.

3. Great Scott

After receiving approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals, Great Scott, along with the 139 residential rental units, is undergoing a design stage that will last until the spring 2026. During this stage, the developers are working to generate floor plans and making decisions about the exterior and interior design of the building, focusing on creating a distinctive look from other developments. 

4. Allston Post

Allston Post, which plans to build a 170-unit residential and retail building and the new Allston Post Office, began construction this year. In early October, demolition began for the four original buildings including the old Allston Post office, which suffered structural damage and closed in 2019. Construction will continue through 2026 with a completion time set for summer 2027. 

5. 83 Leonard M. Birmingham Parkway 

The Leonard M. Birmingham Parkway will build a 333-unit residential building along with 175 underground parking spots. In addition, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will add a 3.5-acre park across the street from the Parkway. In a meeting held in early December, the DCR reported that construction for the Parkway will be largely completed by July 2026 with final paving expected for spring 2027.

The parkway will include two new bocce courts, a horseshoe pit, shade shelter, new paths among other amenities. The DCR recently held a listening meeting with a public comment period with two potential designs for the new park. The project will go at the end of two design iterations, resulting in two public meetings in April and August 2026. More technical planning will take place from fall 2026 to spring 2027, and construction bidding will begin shortly after the Parkway is completed in spring 2027.

6. Allston-Brighton Community Plan

This year, the City of Boston will release a draft of the Allston-Brighton Community Plan, which will lay out the vision for community needs and priorities for future developers and city officials. The community plan will inform updates to the zoning code, which will be released in parallel. The City of Boston plans to announce updates for community engagement at the beginning of this year. 

7. Allston Square

In a public meeting in early December, City Realty said that Phase 1 of the Allston Square development is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, starting with 1 Highgate Street followed by 8-12 Wilton Street. While it received approval for its third project change, which cut 75% of their parking, the development has recently been under fire over multiple project changes and construction delays. Allston Square proposes to develop almost 350 rental units and 38 parking spaces.

8. Allston Multimodal Project

The Allston Multimodal Project plans to hire a consultant team to conduct a cost and engineering analysis for the project throughout 2026. 

9. Jackson Mann Community Center

Jackson Mann is undergoing a feasibility study over its reconstruction. The City of Boston is exploring multiple models for the new Jackson Mann, which may include a combination of housing, school, and/or a community center. The study will examine whether additional housing is financially viable over a school and/or community center. The study will conclude in early 2026 and will be followed by a request for proposal (RFP) period to design a new Jackson Mann, which is currently slated for demolition after structural damages lead to its closure in 2019. 

10. Roberts Park

Boston Parks and Recreation recently unveiled a timeline for improvements on James H. Robert Playground in a December meeting. The improvements would add drainage along with additional amenities, such as shade and cooling areas, splash pad and table top games. Boston Parks and Recreation will hold another meeting in January to present conceptual options with a third meeting in February to discuss a final plan. Construction will begin in fall 2026.