Speen Street Office Buildings

Framingham, MA 1976-1980 by Hughes and MacCarthy

This stalwart collection of modern office buildings began as a single headquarters for the Consolidated Group Trust insurance company in 1976 by the Framingham-based firm Hughes and MacCarthy. The site was chosen for its visibility from the Massachusetts Turnpike and significant regrading was done to lift the building high above the passing cars. On the calmer south side, a four story recessed atrium greets workers and allows light deep into the floor plate.

Over the next four years the site developer would simply duplicate the design along Speen Street, giving the resulting office park a rigid, imposing rhythm along the highway.

Recently the site has been under consideration for rezoning as part of Framingham’s response to MBTA Communities Act requirements. Conversations on the potential future of the now mostly empty office buildings include a mixed use development that sees one or more of the structures converted into housing.