Hilton Garden Inn Boston-Brookline

At a busy crossroads on the Brookline edge of Boston’s medical district, this gracefully curved and sculptural building deftly knits the verdant Olmsted Emerald Necklace with nearby commercial and residential blocks, decisively anchoring its prominent site. Wrapped in taut glass and comprised of three stepped masses, the building is decidedly responsive to its unique, urban setting.

Creating a building of significant visual interest that also presents a unique urban hotel experience was a central objective for this project on a dynamic polygon site with each face of the building responding to distinct contextual situations. The building steps back from the Emerald Necklace to allow light into the park, while the urban street edges address arrivals and create a gateway to Brookline and Boston.

Robust and inclusive public discourse, along with the developer’s commitment to neighbors’ concerns, led the way for this site-specific, form-based solution. A catalyst for community development, the hotel’s design grew from an equitable and inclusive community process, creating a sense of place where Brookline meets Boston.

Featuring community meeting space, a casual and inviting lobby seating area and a singular restaurant that celebrates local cuisine and lore, this hotel is a solid and welcome presence for the neighborhood and appeals to travelers seeking a non-generic experience. The hotel’s public areas create a welcome and much-needed social space where the locally owned, one-of-a-kind restaurant and bar enlivens the arrivals lobby and opens out on to the streetscape.