Idyl Fenway Wins 2025 Multi-Housing News Award
We are so excited to announce that Idyl Fenway won the Multi-Housing News Excellence Gold Award for Best Development & Design: Mid-Rise.
With its warm brick façade and reimagined streetscape, Idyl Fenway plays a key role in the ongoing revitalization of Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Situated near Fenway Park and surrounded by universities, medical research institutions, and arts organizations, this new nine-story multifamily development introduces 365 residential units while replacing underused surface parking, aging garages, and low-rise structures.
Idyl is located just north of the Emerald Necklace, Boston’s historic linear park system, and is near major cultural institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, as well as Fenway Park. Leading medical centers—including Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess—are less than a mile away. The neighborhood, particularly the area north of the site near Fenway Park, has seen extensive redevelopment and continues to evolve. Idyl is well-served by public transportation, located within a half mile of Fenway, Yawkey, Kenmore, and Longwood Stations, offering easy access to the MBTA Green Line and Commuter Rail.
With various goals in mind, the finished product pays careful attention to context and community. Its primarily masonry exterior—featuring shades of bricks from soft cream to rich red—resonates with the architectural character of the area. Idyl is crafted to mirror Boston's historic urban landscape, setting it apart from the surrounding high-rise buildings. The mass strategy breaks down the plan and section to create a more approachable presence. Street-facing open spaces and a co-working area designed to resemble a neighborhood storefront helps activate the street level, following proven urban design principles that prioritize vibrant, walkable communities and natural surveillance—putting “eyes on the street.”
The design of Idyl evolved through detailed site investigations, planning studies, and feedback from the community and the City of Boston. This process led to scale, articulation, and building use that fit the existing neighborhood. The project involved collaboration with federal, state, and City of Boston agencies as well as the Fenway neighborhood.
Key Design Strategies Implemented at Idyl Fenway
At Idyl Fenway, a series of key design strategies were thoughtfully implemented to transform an underutilized corner parcel—once a surface parking lot—into a vibrant, community-oriented development. The project promotes a pedestrian-focused design, enhancing walkability and neighborhood connectivity through landscaped zones, widened sidewalks, and a revitalized alleyway that invites foot traffic and strengthens the local streetscape.
Careful attention was given to the site's urban form, redeveloping the city block in a way that aligns with the architectural rhythm of the Fenway neighborhood. The building strengthens the street wall continuity, contributing to a cohesive urban identity while remaining sensitive to the existing scale. Above the 55-foot height line, the massing was strategically adjusted to maintain daylight access at the street level and preserve the human-scale character of the area.
To enhance the public realm, the building is set back from the property line, creating a more generous sidewalk width and landscaped buffer zones that improve the pedestrian experience. Courtyards and green spaces are integrated into the site plan, providing aesthetic relief, gathering spaces, and reinforcing livability. These outdoor features reflect the goals of the Fenway Land Use and Urban Design Guidelines.
Together, these strategies make Idyl Fenway a model of urban regeneration—bridging community use, contextual design, and environmental responsibility in one dynamic residential development.
Sustainability
Idyl Fenway is awarded the LEED v4 Gold certification, surpassing Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code by being 10% better than ASHRAE 90.1-2013. This multifamily residential design features advanced mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, along with a high-performance building envelope. Sustainable elements include LED lighting, efficient plumbing fixtures, energy management systems, and healthy interior environments. Residential courtyards provide green space, and landscaped zones enhance neighborhood streetscapes while managing stormwater runoff through collection and treatment.
