Project of the Month: Arx Urban and Boylston Properties develop and open 525 LINC community - designed by HDS Architecture

Allston, MA According to the development team for 525 LINC, the new model of co-living, has officially opened, and residents are beginning to move in. 525 LINC is one of the city’s first co-living apartment communities that is tackling the city’s ongoing housing shortage by appealing to individuals looking for shared living, also known as “uncomplicated living.” Designed by HDS Architecture, a locally-based architectural design firm with a concentration on a full range of residential types, the project was recently completed alongside co-owners/developers Boylston Properties and Arx Urban. National Development is the property manager. 

Co-living is a modern form of shared housing in a community with residents living in fully furnished apartments. 525 LINC uniquely designed living spaces to create a welcoming and inspiring environment for people to interact and share experiences. Residents share common areas like the kitchen and living room, as well as have access to the rest of the amenities at the building. HDS Architecture has designed each unit with specific size requirements that perfectly balances tenant needs of storage, function, and comfort.

“We are so pleased that the team embraced this housing concept early on so that we could create this all-inclusive living environment through a unique architectural design” said Hans Strauch, president of HDS Architecture. “HDS was able to deliver an exciting building that supports an innovative co-living model.”

Co-living has increased since the pandemic partly due to the fact that a large percentage of the workforce is now remote and feel more isolated. While not just for those who work from home, co-living provides a sense of social and community support that is necessary for remote workers, along with a flexible and affordable housing solution. 

“Our goal was to create an engaging building that would enhance both the resident and public experience,” said Michael Dennis, associate & design director at HDS Architecture. “Early feedback praises the building for creating a hotel-like environment that caters specifically to the contemporary needs of a modern lifestyle.”

525 LINC was designed to be a reflection of the vibrant local art community with its dynamic use of massing and materials. The building follows the unique geometry of the site to form an L-shaped configuration encompassing a public courtyard. The design is characterized by two “bookends’” married by an undulating brick facade that engages the streetscape. Floor-to-ceiling glass highlights the amenity spaces creating a seamless connection from interior to exterior. Significant attention to detail was maintained throughout the design to create a sophisticated, well-crafted building that enhances the neighborhood and community at large.

The project team included:

• HDS Architecture - architect
• Atlantis Comfort Systems - HVAC
• RDH Building Science - exterior envelope
• Bohler - landscape architecture and civil engineering
• TMD Designs - interior designers