Worcester Business Journal

Massachusetts cities in having skylines not changing much over the latest few decades. In Springfield, the state's third-largest city, none of the three tallest downtown office buildings, two of which are more than 20 stories, were built since the 1980s. In Lowell, the fourth-largest city, the 22-story River Place Towers and the 18-story Fox Hall at UMass Lowell were both built in 1973. e 14-story Cross Point tower complex, a landmark just off I-495, was built in the late 1970s and early '80s as the headquarters for Wang Laboratories. Ultimately, having taller towers isn't especially essential to Worcester, said Amy Finstein, a professor in the visual arts department at the College of the Holy Cross. A lack of newer towers may give off an impression of a less-dynamic city only for those who might reach that conclusion based on a quick impression, she said. More critically, Finstein said, a change away from towers has meant less clearing away of historical buildings, as was done five decades ago for where Mercantile Center stands today. "It's good to see a pause in tearing things down," she said. "I would say it's more reflective of a more thoughtful development pattern." wbjournal.com | June 11, 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 15 A R C H I T E C T U R E & C O N S T R U C T I O N F O C U S W The Sky Mark Tower, 600 Main St. 24 1990 196 residential units Worcester Plaza, 446 Main St. 24 1972 Commercial office building Mercantile Center, 100 Front St. 19 1971 Commercial office building James T. Lennon Apartments, 40 Belmont St. 19 1976 Worcester Housing Authority Plumley Village, 16 Laurel St. 16 1970 Housing complex Elm Park Tower Apartments, 425 Pleasant St. 16 1970 195 units, Worcester Housing Authority Lincoln Park Tower Apartments, 11 Lake Ave. 15 1980 198 units, Worcester Housing Authority Lincoln Village Apartments I 15 1975 Residential Webster Square Towers East, 1050 Main St. 14 1970 Worcester Housing Authority Coes Pond Village, 39 First St. 13 1975 250 residential units 370 Main St. 13 1970 Commercial office building Webster Square Towers West, 1060 Main St. 12 1970 Worcester Housing Authority One Chestnut Place, 22 Elm St. 11 1990 Commercial office building 255 Park Ave. 11 1985 Commercial office building 507 Main St. 11 1885 Mixed-use building Madison Tower Condominiums, 70 Southbridge St. 10 1979 Residential Lincoln Village Apartments II 10 1975 Residential The Lakeshore Condominiums 10 1988 Residential Fruit Sever Apartments, 11 Sever St. 10 1965 96 residential units 390 Main St. 10 1919 Commercial office building 50 Franklin St. 10 1912 Residential Worcester's tallest buildings, ranked by number of floors Tower Stories Year built Details Source: City of Worcester, Worcester Housing Authority

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