221 Mount Auburn Street

In 2023, structural deficiencies were identified in the nine-story building at 221 Mount Auburn Street, the Riverview Condominiums. During exploratory work for roof and drainage repairs, engineers discovered that the building was not built as originally designed.

To reduce the weight in the building, all residents moved out by the end of 2024. After evaluating various repair options, the Condo Association has concluded that fixing the building isn’t feasible, and it will need to be taken down. The City is working closely with the Condo Association on reviewing the situation and planning for demolition of the nine-story building.

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Demolition Update January 13, 2026

We are writing to share an update on the ongoing demolition at 221 Mt. Auburn Street. Work at 221 Mt. Auburn Street is progressing well, with Phase 1 and Phase 2 completed.

Project Progress

Completed Work

Phase 1: Balconies on the Mt. Auburn Street Side have been removed
Phase 2: The front half of the Sparks Street side of the building has been demolished

Current Work

Phase 3: is now underway and focuses on the east side of the building, closest to 205 Mt. Auburn Street

Project updates and monitoring

To help keep the community informed, the project team regularly posts updates on the project website, including:

Progress photos
Updated 3-week look ahead
Weekly vibration monitoring reports (including recommended vibration thresholds).
Weekly air monitoring reports

Construction hours

Monday–Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or up to 6:00 p.m. as allowed under the construction noise ordinance
The contractor has been approved to work several upcoming Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., as needed to stay on schedule.

We appreciate your patience as this important project continues. Updates will continue to be shared on the project website:

www.cambridgema.gov/221MtAuburnSt

Demolition Photographs: Week of January 5, 2026

221 Mt Auburn Street Demolition Progress Week of January 5, 2026

Demolition Photographs: Week of December 29, 2025

Drone image of 221 Mt Auburn Progress Week of December 28, 2025

Demolition Photographs: Week of December 22, 2025

Demolition Progress Week of December 22, 2025

Construction Update: December 17, 2025

Demolition officially began on December 17, 2025! Day one was a success, with the removal of the bottom three floors of balconies. This marks a significant first step in the project, and we’re eager to see the progress unfold in the coming days.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to make strides.

Progress Photos:

221 MT Auburn Street after day one of demolition

Notice: Demolition to begin at 221 Mt. Auburn Street the Week of December 8, 2025

Demolition activities are scheduled to begin the week of December 8. Work will continue Mondays-Fridays, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., or up to 6 p.m., as allowed by the construction noise ordinance, if the contractor is in the middle of an operation and it is safer to continue later.

New documents are available to view under the project website’s “Documents” tab. These documents include the Engineered Demolition Plan; the Non-Traditional Work Plan submitted to MassDEP for final approval; the updated Frequently Asked Questions document; and the November drone report.

There has been extensive activity at the site:

Equipment, including excavators and misters, have been delivered
Field office trailer placed
Containers and fencing installed on Sparks Street
Water and sewer drains cut and capped

After further analysis, the four trees mentioned and shown at the community meeting will need to be removed. This will occur next week.

We appreciate your patience as this important phase gets underway. We will continue to provide updates on the project website: www.cambridgema.gov/221mtauburnst

If you have any questions or concerns during demolition, please contact Kristen Kelleher by email, kkelleher@cambridgema.gov, or phone, 617-349-4825

Frequently Asked Questions Document, Updated on November 21, 2025. Now Available Under the documents tab

Notice: Water Main Shutdown Scheduled for December 1st

On Monday, December 1^st, the Cambridge Water Department will perform water main work on Mt Auburn St from Sparks St to Willard St between 9am and 5pm. During this time, there will be a temporary water service interruption to facilitate upgrades to the water main on Mt Auburn St. The addresses affected will be notified by the Water Department. We will make every effort to expedite this work to minimize the duration of the water shutdown. Please take appropriate steps to store water for your needs during this period. If you have any specific water needs or concerns, please contact Jack Terrio at 617-349-4787 for assistance.

Please note that this scheduled water shutdown is subject to change due to weather and other variable conditions that may arise. You will be notified as soon as possible if this work is rescheduled or extended.

The Recording of the Demolition Public Meeting Held on October 22, 2025 is Now Available to View

Notice: 221 Mt Auburn Street Virtual Public Meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6p.m.

A virtual public meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from 6-8 p.m., to discuss demolition updates about 221 Mount Auburn Street, Riverview Condominiums, and answer questions.

What: Demolition Public Meeting
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 6-8 p.m.
Location: Virtual – register here: camb.ma/riverviewoctmeeting

Representatives from the construction team will share the demolition plans, including the anticipated construction schedule, dust management strategies, air quality and vibration monitoring, and other measures protective of public health and safety during the demolition. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to hear directly from the team conducting the work. The construction team includes: Consigli (general contractor), NorthStar (demolition contractor), SGH (engineer), and TRC (environmental consultant).

In the coming weeks, you will see work in and around the site to prepare for the demolition. The demolition is scheduled to begin in November. The team continues to meet weekly, refining demolition, mitigation, and monitoring plans to demolish the building and protect public health and safety.
Please register for the meeting in advance: camb.ma/riverviewoctmeeting

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Kelleher: Email | kkelleher@cambridgema.gov | Phone | 617-349-4825

UPDATE: Progress Made; Next Meeting Expected in October

The City is proceeding with the project team that will be responsible for the demolition of 221 Mt Auburn St.: Consigli (general contractor), SGH (engineer), and TRC (environmental consultant). The team is meeting weekly, developing demolition, mitigation, and monitoring plans to demolish the building and protect public health and safety. In early October, we will announce more details about the demolition public meeting, which will be held in October.

At the October meeting, the construction team will share the detailed demolition plans, including the anticipated construction schedule, dust management strategies, air quality and vibration monitoring, and other measures protective of public health and safety during the demolition. The demolition is scheduled to begin in early November.

Other updates:

A court order on August 13th confirmed the City’s authority to conduct the demolition and recover the costs associated with the work. The order was supported by both the City and the Riverview Condominium Trust.
SGH has been on site evaluating locations for vibration monitoring.
To assist with the September uptick in traffic, Police details are in place at Brattle/Lowell, Brattle/Channing, and Mt. Auburn/Hawthorn during peak traffic times. City staff will continue evaluating the traffic and make adjustments, as necessary.
The exterior drone surveys are continuing to be conducted every 2 weeks. All of the drone reports are posted at www.cambridgema.gov/221MtAuburnSt.

If you have any question, please contact Kristen Kelleher, kkelleher@cambridgema.gov /617-349-4825.

Notice: Extended Mt. Auburn Street & Sparks Street Closures/Detours Still in Effect in City of Cambridge Due to Building Structural Issues

View the full notice here!

Notice: DCR Traffic Advisory: Memorial Drive in Cambridge

For more information, visit: DCR Traffic Advisory: Memorial Drive in Cambridge

Recorded Presentation from July 24, 2025 Community Meeting Now Available

Frequently Asked Question Document Now Available Under the Documents Tab

FAQs Last Updated July 17, 2025

Virtual Community Meeting Thursday, July 24, 2025, 6:30-8p.m.

Join this meeting to discuss neighborhood updates about 221 Mount Auburn St., Riverview Condominiums, and share traffic questions. Representatives from the City will be available to share information and answer questions. (This is a follow up meeting to the meeting that occurred 7/10/25.)

Zoom Link to Register: https://cambridgema.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uwf8ZF7CS3epU5hSAvcU6A#/registration

Sign up now to receive project updates
Sign up for project updates here. The City will be sending out notices digitally in the coming days. If you have signed up for updates on the website, you will receive these updates.

Community Meeting Thursday, July 10, 2025

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
(In-Person Only)
Location
80 Gerry’s Landing Rd,
BB&N Theatre, Room 250
Cambridge

Light refreshments provided

Come join City staff and consultants for an important neighborhood update about
221 Mount Auburn Street, Riverview Condominiums, including the structural
evaluation of the building, potential street closings, and next steps for the
demolition of the building.

Representatives from the City will be available to share information and answer
questions. The City is assessing the structural analysis of the main building and has
hired an independent engineering firm to review the existing studies.

View the full flyer here.

View the presentation here.

221 MT Auburn St Demo Schedule

View full schedule here

Background Information

In 2023, structural deficiencies were identified in the nine-story building at 221 Mt Auburn Street, the Riverview Condominiums. During exploratory work for roof and drainage repairs, engineers discovered that the building was not built as originally designed.

To reduce the weight in the building, all residents moved out by the end of 2024. After evaluating various repair options, the Condo Association has concluded that fixing the building isn’t feasible, and it will need to be taken down. The City is working closely with the Condo Association on reviewing the situation and planning for demolition of the nine-story main building.

Extended Mt. Auburn Street and Sparks Street Closures and Detours Starting Saturday, July 19 in City of Cambridge Due to Building Structural Issues

Due to structural concerns at 221 Mount Auburn Street (Riverview Condominium Building), the City of Cambridge will close segments of Mount Auburn Street and Sparks Street starting Saturday, July 19. Multiple detours and traffic changes will be in place to maintain the closure, which may last through the end of 2025.

The streets and sidewalks immediately surrounding 221 Mt. Auburn Street, at the corner of Mt. Auburn Street and Sparks Street, will be closed to all traffic including vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Access will be maintained for direct abutters.

Find all detours and road closures at this link

The following road segments will be closed to all through traffic:

Sparks Street between Brattle Street and Mt. Auburn Street
Mt. Auburn Street between Lowell Street and Willard Street

Local Access Detours:

Mt. Auburn Street Westbound Detour from Harvard Square towards Belmont/Watertown on Mt. Auburn Street: Vehicles will turn right onto Willard Street, left onto Brattle Street, left onto Channing Street, and right back onto Mt. Auburn Street. Vehicles with a final destination outside the immediate area can continue straight on Brattle Street, past Fresh Pond Parkway to Mt. Auburn Street.
Mt. Auburn Street Eastbound Detour from the west heading towards Harvard Square on Mt. Auburn Street: Vehicles will turn left on Lowell Street, right on Brattle Street, right on Hawthorn Street and then left back onto Mt. Auburn Street.
Sparks Street Southbound Detour: Vehicles heading south on Sparks Street from Huron Avenue will travel to Brattle Street and turn left or right based on their final destination.

MBTA Buses (71 & 73) Detours:

Westbound Detour: Buses heading west on Mt. Auburn from Harvard Square towards Belmont and Watertown will turn right onto Willard Street, left onto Brattle Street, left onto Channing Street, and right back onto Mt. Auburn Street.
Eastbound Detour: Buses heading east on Mt. Auburn Street from Watertown and Belmont will turn left on Lowell Street, right on Brattle Street, right on Hawthorn Street and the left back onto Mt. Auburn Street.

Through Truck Route:

Westbound: From Mass Ave Southbound, turn right onto Garden Street, bear left onto Concord Ave, turn left on Huron Ave, left on Aberdeen Ave and right onto Mt. Auburn.
Eastbound: From Mt. Auburn Street Eastbound, turn left on Aberdeen Ave, right on Huron Ave, right on Concord Ave, bear right on Garden Street, right on Mass Ave, bear right on Brattle Street and left onto Mt. Auburn Street.

Memorial Drive:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close the right westbound lane between Hawthorn Street and Gerrys Landing Road to traffic starting on Saturday, July 19.
Both eastbound lanes and the left westbound lane of this segment of Memorial Drive will remain open to traffic.
Traffic, cyclist, and pedestrian patterns will be clearly marked. Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use the Paul Dudley White Bike Path to travel in this area and to use the crossings at Hawthorn Street and Gerrys Landing Road.

Background Information
In 2023, structural deficiencies were identified in the nine-story building at 221 Mt. Auburn Street, the Riverview Condominiums. During exploratory work for roof and drainage repairs, engineers discovered that the building was not built as originally designed.

All residents moved out of the building at the end of 2024. After evaluating various repair options, the Condo Association concluded that fixing the building is not feasible, and it will need to be taken down. The City is working closely with the Condo Association on reviewing the situation and planning for demolition of the nine-story building.

Abutter Information and Contact
Access to homes inside the closure area will be maintained for residents. The City has reached out directly to residents within the closure area and has met with many local residents.

Those looking for more information can contact Kristen Kelleher, Cambridge Department of Public Works Community Relations Manager, at 617-349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov.

Learn more about 221 Mount Auburn Street and sign up for email notifications to receive important updates and demolition progress at www.cambridgema.gov/221mtauburnst.

Kristen Kelleher

Community Relations Manager

617-349-4825

KKelleher@cambridgema.gov