The Planning Background in Allston

Harvard has had a presence in Allston dating back to before the construction of Harvard Stadium in 1903. Over the years, with the development of the Business School campus and expansion of its athletic facilities, its presence has grown. Likewise, the University's planning endeavors date back to the early plans of Olmsted and Eliot at the end of the 19th century and have continued to evolve over time. Collected here are several documents relating to the history of Harvard in Allston, the overall planning context, previous master plans for Harvard's development in Allston and discussion of its role in the local economy.

Historical Background

Articles and presentations exploring Allston's history and Harvard's role in its development.

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Economic Impact

Harvard has been a Boston institution for more than a century. It exemplifies higher education’s role as both a major source of jobs for Boston area residents, and as a major force in building the region’s future. Several articles examine the contributions of Boston's major universities in general — and Harvard in particular — to metropolitan Boston's economic development.

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Institutional Master Plan

The University has been filing Institutional Master Plans for the Allston campus since 1989. The most recent Plan dates to 1997 and includes such projects as the Spangler Center and Hawes Hall at the Harvard Business School and graduate student housing at One Western Avenue. In 2002, the University amended the Institutional Master Plan to include two existing facilities, 1230 Soldiers Field Road and 25 Travis Street. Later in 2002, the University renewed without change the amended 1997 Plan.

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Allston Academic and Physical Planning Background

Letters to the Community from Larwrence H. Summers, President Emeritus, Harvard University

• Outline for the framework for planning Allston (October 21, 2003)


• Publication of the Allston Faculty Task Force preliminary reports (June 4, 2004)


• Letter to the Harvard community regarding the Allston Interim Report (June 1, 2005)

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Maps