The project was proposed by real estate developer Roger L. Stevens on a former rail yard of the Boston and Albany Railroad.

Stevens envisioned a mixed-use development that would lure residents back to the city center in the face of increasing suburbanization.

Gropius was appointed the BCA's chairman, Stubbins vice-chairman, Belluschi treasurer, and Bogner and Koch deputy administrators.

[8] A tax concession was ultimately achieved through legislation in 1960[9] that extended the power of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) to contain the planning function.

The BRA declared the rail yards, now abandoned, to be a blighted area, and Prudential was able to develop the site with a tax concession.