10 Years of The Steps: A Downtown Boston Cultural Hub
From a subway entrance to a celebrated public amphitheater, The Steps have spent a decade bringing music, movement, creativity, and community to the heart of Downtown Boston.
At the corner of Franklin and Washington streets, one of Downtown Boston’s most recognizable gathering places sits directly above one of its busiest transit connections.
On any given day, you might find people enjoying lunch, meeting friends, or simply taking in the energy of Downtown. On another, the very same space becomes a stage for live music, hip-hop dance battles, fashion shows, or community celebrations.
This is The Steps, also known as the Downtown Crossing Amphitheater. And this October, we’re celebrating ten years of a public space that has become a cultural hub in the heart of the neighborhood.
From Transit Infrastructure to Public Space
Before The Steps became a destination for performances and community gatherings, the site primarily served as an entrance to the Downtown Crossing MBTA station.
The surrounding area was undergoing a major transformation. The redevelopment of the former Filene’s department store site, led by Millennium Partners, brought the construction of Millennium Tower, the rehabilitation of the historic Burnham Building, and improvements to the surrounding public spaces.
Working in partnership with the City of Boston, the development team took the opportunity to reimagine the subway entrance as something more than functional infrastructure.
Completed in October 2016, the redesigned entrance became an outdoor amphitheater, creating a new place for people to gather, connect, and experience the city.
Designed by Boston-based architecture firm Höweler + Yoon, the approximately 1,000-square-foot amphitheater combines broad concrete seating with a small performance platform, allowing the space to accommodate both organized events and spontaneous public activity.
The design invites people to stop and stay, turning a familiar piece of transit infrastructure into a destination of its own.
An Award-Winning Approach to Urban Design
The Steps quickly gained recognition for their innovative approach to public-space design.
In 2018, the project was nominated for the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize, recognizing significant architectural projects across the Americas.
The project also received a Citation in the Boston Society for Architecture’s 2019 Honor Awards for Design Excellence.
These recognitions celebrated the transformation of an everyday transit entrance into a distinctive public space. But the project’s impact extends well beyond its architecture.
Ten Years of Culture and Community
Over the past decade, The Steps have become a stage for Boston’s creative communities and a gathering place for residents, workers, and visitors alike.
From live music and hip-hop performances to fashion shows, cultural celebrations, and public events, the amphitheater has welcomed a wide range of experiences that showcase the energy and diversity of Downtown Boston.
What makes the space especially valuable is its accessibility. A passerby might unexpectedly encounter a live performance, stop to watch a dance battle, or discover a local artist while walking through the neighborhood.
And between scheduled events, The Steps remain just as important.
Lunch breaks, casual conversations, afternoon meetups, and moments of relaxation are all part of the space’s identity. The amphitheater is both a programmed destination and an everyday public gathering place.
As stewards and programmers of The Steps, the Downtown Boston Alliance works with artists, businesses, and community partners to bring free public programming to the heart of Downtown.
That combination of organized events and everyday activity has helped make The Steps a lasting part of the neighborhood’s cultural landscape.
A Testament to Thoughtful Redevelopment
Ten years later, The Steps demonstrate how thoughtful urban redevelopment can create lasting opportunities for community connection.
What began as a redesign of an MBTA entrance became a public space where Boston’s communities could perform, gather, create, and make memories.
The project’s success is not measured solely by its architectural recognition, but by the people who continue to bring it to life.
As we celebrate this milestone, we recognize Millennium Partners, the City of Boston, Höweler + Yoon, and the many project partners who helped make this transformation possible.
We also thank the artists, performers, organizations, and countless visitors who have shaped The Steps over the past decade.
As stewards and programmers of The Steps, we’re proud to celebrate ten years of culture, creativity, and community. A testament to what thoughtful public-space design can make possible.
Here’s to many more years of programming.
Explore the History of The Steps
Learn more about the design, redevelopment, and architectural recognition behind this Downtown Boston landmark.
- Höweler + Yoon: Downtown Crossing Plaza — Explore the architectural concept, original design, and project photography.
- Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize: Downtown Crossing Amphitheater and Plaza — Learn about the project’s international architectural recognition.
- Boston Society for Architecture: 2019 Design Awards — Explore the design awards recognizing the project.
- Downtown Boston Alliance: The Steps — Learn more about the space and its role in Downtown Boston.