Lyrik: A Creative Space to Live, Work, and Play

LYRIK, THE BUILDING complex at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Newbury Street, is a new shape on the Boston skyline, and a different kind of destination for the neighborhoods—namely, Back Bay and the Fenway—that it connects. 

Lyrik is what’s known as a mixed-use complex, a space that combines corporate office space and retail, with the intention of creating a place where employees of the companies in the complex and neighborhood residents can mix and relax. Such mixed-use buildings have been a popular trend for decades, and Boston features several similar projects, such as the Fenway Triangle in the Fenway and The Hub on Causeway in the West End, with plans for further developments of their kind. 

Live-work-play destinations are now common in cities like Boston and in densely populated suburbs. The demand is largely driven by the needs of post-pandemic workers who expect workplace environments to offer more than just office space. Jones Lang LaSalle, a global real estate and investment management firm, projected these properties to comprise 30 percent of national office inventory by 2040, a nearly tenfold increase from the current four percent.

Located at 400 Newbury St. and 1001 Boylston St., Lyrik has over 35,000 square feet of retail and dining space and 45,000 square feet of office space. It currently houses CarGurus’ global headquarters, The LEGO Group’s North American headquarters, and hotel citizenM’s 399-key, all-electric skyrise. The real estate development firm behind Lyrik is Samuels & Associates, and their complex is the culmination of inventive engineering and community collaboration that has simultaneously revitalized the Back Bay neighborhood, elevated its infrastructure, and improved pedestrian- and bike-friendly commuting.

MAKING USE OF AIRSPACE

The milestone project, conceptualized in 2010 and completed in 2023, is Boston’s first air rights project in over 40 years—a form of construction that permits use of the space above existing infrastructure. Lyrik is built on a foundation and support walls and bridged across two MBTA tracks and eight lanes of the Massachusetts Turnpike. Multiple levels of collaboration with the city, state, and residents were required to realize the architects’ vision during the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presented. 

The public-private partnerships represented by the project include MassDOT (Department of Transportation), which evaluated proposals to redevelop the site; the City of Boston, which assessed the master plan and building proposals; and MassDOT/Federal Highway, a key collaborator in improving the pedestrian experience. A transparent dialogue among many agencies and individuals helped guide the decision-making throughout. 

Its construction as an air rights development had its own unique challenges. More than 150 pieces (520 tons) of steel and precast concrete planks were inlaid across the Massachusetts Turnpike, requiring masked workers to stop traffic in 12-minute intervals to lay the groundwork that would later become Lyrik. The two-year development was ambitious, but the partners were persistent, and the result is an impressive accomplishment that has transformed a barren stretch of Massachusetts Avenue and Boylston Street into a lively community center.

Steve Samuels, founder and chairman of Samuels & Associates, has been the driving force behind much of the development in the Fenway neighborhood, but he counts Lyrik as one of his highest achievements and a true representation of the firm’s principles: placemaking, community engagement, and positive street-level experiences, according to Brianne Gump, Senior Marketing Manager at Samuels & Associates. 

The project has improved aspects of public transit, making changes to areas that haven’t been touched since the 1960s. Most notably, the development has optimized the previously hazardous intersection by widening the turnpike on-ramp and constructing a protected sidewalk and bike lane, as well as new bus and Green Line stops, which connect via Massachusetts Avenue to the civic plaza. Gump says of Lyrik and its stakeholder collaboration, “I think Lyrik will be the blueprint for what people set to achieve both in Boston and beyond, and I think it’s shown what’s possible when a public and private partnership comes together and everyone is at the table with the same goal.”

A FOCUS ON COMMUNITY

Lyrik’s “crown jewel,” according to the Samuels & Associates team, is the publicly accessible, open-air plaza designed by architecture firm Elkus Manfredi, which exemplifies the community collaboration this project represents. The building’s original design was a single structure, but upon hearing feedback from residents and their fervor for the city skyline and sunset, plans were redesigned to preserve the western view. The plaza, constructed on two levels, connects the skyrise pillars with a landscaped deck where residents can experience the sunset views in a thoughtfully designed space. 

Anchoring the plaza is an array of diverse national and local restaurants and retail establishments that elevate the stay-work-live project into a lively destination. In addition to electric-car maker Rivian, acclaimed signature dining experiences—including CHICHA San Chen Tea House, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, and local favorites George Howell Coffee and Pink Carrot—have rolled out openings throughout 2025. Openings will continue in 2026 with the debuts of Avra and Rosa y Marigold. With limited retail space left available, Lyrik will soon be at full capacity with intentionally curated tastemakers.

Celebrating Creativity

Lyrik aims to be a creative space, and its name is inspired by its artistic neighbors, including Berklee College of Music and The Boston Pops, the area’s many artistic legacies, and the city’s history as a hub of innovation. Lyrik offers programming designed to welcome all to the space, from live music and public art to welcoming seating and stunning sunset views.

“When Samuels & Associates looks at how we are spending our time and our money, that’s where we want to be spending it: providing experiences for people that enrich the neighborhood,” says Gump.

Lyrik’s programming is widely diverse and always free, increasing accessibility for locals and tourists to participate in the arts and culture that flourishes in Back Bay. Prior programming has included a popular watercolor painting class, a children’s music class, and vinyl deejays, among others. 

Gump notes, “People are coming here because they feel a part of it and want to be integrated into the fabric, which I think is really unique; especially that we can be welcoming to those who are immediate neighbors, but also to people who are out of town.”

SIDEBAR

GAETANO PESCE’S DOUBLE HEART

New on Boston’s public arts scene is Gaetano Pesce’s Double Heart, a striking sculpture rising from the second level of Lyrik’s open-air plaza. Bold yet minimalist, the design is an emblem of love. 

Nearly 30 feet tall, the illuminated fiberglass and resin sculpture is prominently featured on the sunset deck, visible to pedestrians, drivers along the Massachusetts Turnpike, and visitors to Lyrik. From every vantage point, Double Heart radiates the spirit of love and creativity that propels Lyrik’s diverse programming. 

Pesce is a world-renowned artist, celebrated for his experimentation with materials and ability to blur the boundaries between art, design, and architecture. His sculpture Double Heart glows as a universal symbol of love, connection, and shared humanity. Notably, Double Heart was Pesce’s final public project prior to his death in 2024 and is his only permanent sculpture in the United States.

“From the very beginning, we envisioned Lyrik as a civic gateway — a place that welcomes people into Boston and reflects the city’s character,” says Steve Samuels, founder and chairman of Samuels & Associates. “Gaetano Pesce’s Double Heart is the perfect embodiment of that vision: bold, optimistic, and deeply human.”

Lyrik is Samuels & Associates’ love letter to Boston, and Pesce’s Double Heart is the kiss that seals it.

Julia Badders writes about culture and people for MyBoston Magazine and other publications.