2025 OPA Winner: Lyrik - Air Rights Parcel 12

Air rights projects are inherently challenging as they involve building in the "air space" above an existing structure. From a foundation engineering and installation standpoint there are numerous constraints and additional complexities to consider. This article describes how these issues were overcome for deep foundation design and construction at Lyrik Back Bay - Air Rights Parcel 12, the first successful air rights project over the Massachusetts Turnpike/Interstate I- 90 through this neighborhood in downtown Boston in 40 years. The project is unique in that it is both an infrastructure and commercial development project undertaken as a collaboration between a private development team S&A P-12 Property led by Samuels & Associates, and the state transportation agency, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT), owner of the land and transportation infrastructure.