About the Store
CambridgeSide stands as one of Boston’s premier shopping destinations, offering a stunning waterfront location that seamlessly blends retail excellence with architectural innovation. This iconic department store complex is currently undergoing an exciting transformation from a traditional mall concept into a dynamic mixed-use development that embraces the future of urban living while preserving its status as a retail cornerstone. Located just steps from Kendall Square—the epicenter of innovation in Cambridge—CambridgeSide is strategically positioned at the intersection of technology, education, and commerce, reflecting the evolving needs of the community it serves.
Founded as a traditional shopping mall, CambridgeSide has continually reinvented itself to remain relevant in the changing retail landscape. The current ambitious redevelopment project represents the most significant evolution in its history, expanding beyond retail to incorporate 1.65 million square feet of laboratory and office space, 160 residential units, and enhanced public areas that encourage community gathering and interaction. This visionary transformation acknowledges the shifting patterns in how people shop, work, and live, creating a comprehensive urban ecosystem where these activities coexist and complement one another. Despite the ongoing construction, CambridgeSide maintains its vibrant shopping experience across two levels, hosting approximately 120 of Boston’s favorite stores and restaurants ranging from global brands to local boutiques.
What distinguishes CambridgeSide from other department stores is its commitment to creating a true lifestyle destination rather than simply a shopping venue. The picturesque waterfront setting along the Charles River provides a scenic backdrop for both everyday shopping and special events, while the newly opened CanalSide Food + Drink has established itself as a culinary hub featuring 13 diverse eateries centered around a communal waterfront bar. This thoughtful integration of retail, dining, entertainment, workspace, and residential living reflects a forward-thinking approach to urban development that positions CambridgeSide not merely as a place to shop but as a central component of Cambridge’s social and economic fabric. As construction continues on this ambitious project, CambridgeSide bridges the gap between its storied past and promising future, inviting visitors to be part of its ongoing transformation.
Departments and Products:
CambridgeSide offers an extensive array of retail departments across its two shopping levels, creating a comprehensive selection that caters to diverse consumer needs. The Fashion and Apparel section features a balanced mix of international retailers like H&M and Zara alongside premium brands such as Banana Republic and Abercrombie & Fitch, providing fashion options for various style preferences and price points. Men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing collections span casual everyday wear to professional attire, with seasonal displays that reflect current trends and New England’s distinctive seasonal needs. The Technology and Electronics department, anchored by Best Buy, offers the latest devices, gadgets, and accessories with interactive displays that encourage hands-on exploration of products ranging from smartphones and laptops to home entertainment systems and smart home technology. The Home Goods section showcases contemporary furnishings, decor, and kitchen essentials from retailers including T.J. Maxx, providing stylish yet affordable options for home enhancement. The Health and Beauty department combines specialty cosmetics shops with pharmacy services, offering premium skincare products, fragrance collections, and beauty services alongside everyday wellness essentials. For athletic enthusiasts, the Sporting Goods and Activewear section features performance apparel, footwear, and equipment suitable for New England’s diverse outdoor recreation opportunities. The Specialty and Gift section includes unique boutiques offering handcrafted items, personalized products, and distinctive gifts that reflect local artistry and global design trends. The expansive Food and Dining options have been significantly enhanced with the addition of CanalSide Food + Drink, transforming the culinary experience from a traditional food court to a sophisticated dining destination featuring 13 distinct eateries ranging from quick-service counters to full-service restaurants, all centered around a vibrant waterfront bar that hosts weekly events and seasonal celebrations. This thoughtfully curated collection of retail departments ensures that CambridgeSide remains a comprehensive shopping destination despite the ongoing construction and evolution into a mixed-use development.
Special Services
CambridgeSide enhances the shopping experience through a range of specialized services designed to accommodate diverse customer needs. The center’s Concierge Desk serves as a central hub for visitor assistance, offering services including restaurant reservations, attraction recommendations, transportation information, and package holding for customers who wish to continue shopping without carrying their purchases. This service is particularly valuable for tourists visiting from international locations, with multilingual staff available to assist visitors from around the globe. The dedicated Tourism Program provides additional benefits for out-of-town visitors, including special discount booklets, hotel partnership perks, and assistance with tax-free shopping procedures for international guests.
Transportation convenience is prioritized through the innovative EZRide shuttle service, which connects CambridgeSide to major transit hubs including North Station, Lechmere Station, and Kendall Square, allowing visitors to access the center without personal vehicles. For those who drive, the center offers climate-controlled garage parking with electric vehicle charging stations and preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, reflecting its commitment to environmental responsibility. Digital integration enhances the physical shopping experience through the CambridgeSide mobile app, which provides store directories, exclusive promotions, event notifications, and parking availability updates in real-time. The center’s Virtual Shopping program allows customers to connect with specific stores through video consultations, enabling personalized shopping assistance from home with options for curbside pickup or home delivery of selected items. For families, the Parent’s Room offers a private, comfortable space for nursing and childcare needs, while stroller rentals and family restrooms throughout the center accommodate shoppers with young children. The Gift Card program provides flexible gifting options with cards usable at any store within the center, available in both physical and digital formats. Business visitors benefit from meeting space rentals and group dining coordination services, while the center’s Event Planning assistance helps organizations host gatherings ranging from corporate functions to community celebrations in the center’s public spaces. These comprehensive services reflect CambridgeSide’s commitment to creating a welcoming, convenient environment that extends beyond traditional retail to address the practical needs of its diverse visitor base.
Payment Methods
CambridgeSide accommodates diverse consumer preferences through comprehensive payment options that balance traditional methods with innovative financial technologies. Throughout the center’s retail establishments, all major credit and debit cards are universally accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, with chip-enabled and contactless payment terminals standard at most stores. Digital wallet adoption has been widely embraced across the complex, with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and PayPal accepted at most retailers, reflecting the tech-savvy nature of the Cambridge community. For international visitors, many stores offer Dynamic Currency Conversion services that allow purchases to be processed in a visitor’s home currency, providing transparency in transaction costs. Gift cards present flexible payment and gifting options, with the CambridgeSide Gift Card accepted at all participating stores throughout the center, available in both physical and digital formats with options for corporate bulk purchasing and customized designs for special occasions. Select upscale retailers offer store-specific financing programs with special terms for major purchases, while others participate in retail-oriented buy-now-pay-later services such as Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay that provide installment payment options without traditional credit requirements. For budget-conscious shoppers, layaway services remain available at select stores, particularly for seasonal and higher-value merchandise. Business accounts accommodate corporate purchasing with specialized payment terms and consolidated billing options for regular corporate clients. International payment compatibility extends to UnionPay, JCB, and other global payment networks at many retailers, acknowledging the center’s popularity with international students, tourists, and business travelers. Cash acceptance remains universal throughout the center, with ATMs conveniently located on both retail levels providing access to traditional currency for those preferring physical transactions. For convenience, many stores have adopted mobile point-of-sale systems that allow transactions to be completed anywhere on the sales floor, reducing wait times during busy shopping periods. Gift registries for weddings, baby showers, and other celebrations integrate seamlessly with payment systems, allowing contributors to easily purchase gifts from registrants’ wishlists. This comprehensive approach to payment options ensures that financial transactions at CambridgeSide remain accessible and convenient for its diverse customer base.
Access and Accessibility
CambridgeSide demonstrates a comprehensive commitment to accessibility, ensuring the shopping center can be comfortably navigated and enjoyed by visitors of all abilities. The center features multiple wheelchair-accessible entrances with automatic doors, strategically positioned at garage connections, street-level access points, and from the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel walkway. Throughout the complex, wide corridors with smooth surfaces facilitate easy movement for mobility aid users, while clear directional signage incorporates high-contrast text, universal symbols, and braille elements to assist visitors with various visual abilities. Elevators connect all levels of the center, including parking areas, with accessible control panels, audible floor announcements, and generous cab dimensions that accommodate scooters and wheelchairs with turning space. The parking facilities include an ample number of designated accessible spaces exceeding ADA requirements, positioned near entrances and elevators for minimal travel distance, with additional van-accessible spaces featuring extended access aisles. Public restrooms throughout the center include accessible stalls with appropriate dimensions, grab bars, and fixtures at ADA-compliant heights, complemented by family restrooms that provide private, accessible spaces for those requiring assistance or additional privacy. For shoppers with sensory sensitivities, the center offers quiet spaces where visitors can take breaks from the stimulating shopping environment, with designated low-sensory shopping hours implemented during select periods when lighting is softened and ambient music is reduced. Service animals are welcomed throughout the complex, with water stations available at customer service areas. The recently developed CanalSide Food + Drink area was designed with contemporary accessibility standards in mind, featuring accessible seating options, clear pathways between vendor stalls, and counter heights that accommodate seated customers at service points. The center’s website and mobile application have been developed following WCAG guidelines, featuring screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation options, and adjustable text sizing to ensure digital information is accessible to all. During the ongoing construction and redevelopment, accessibility remains a priority with clearly marked accessible routes through or around construction zones and temporary services implemented where permanent facilities are temporarily unavailable. Staff members throughout the center receive accessibility awareness training, ensuring they can provide appropriate assistance without compromising visitor dignity or independence. These comprehensive accommodations reflect CambridgeSide’s recognition that accessibility is not merely about compliance but about creating a genuinely inclusive environment where all visitors can enjoy the shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences offered.
Events and Programs
CambridgeSide enhances the traditional shopping experience through a diverse calendar of events and programs that transform the center into a vibrant community hub. The weekly Musical Bingo nights at CanalSide Food + Drink have quickly become a popular fixture, blending entertainment with dining as participants enjoy a creative twist on the classic game with musical challenges and exciting prizes from center retailers. Seasonal celebrations mark the calendar year, with elaborately themed décor and special activities including the Summer Waterfront Concert Series featuring local musicians performing along the picturesque canal, the Fall Harvest Festival showcasing New England’s agricultural bounty with farmer’s market stalls and culinary demonstrations, the Holiday Spectacular with its centerpiece lighting ceremony and weekend carolers, and the Spring Fashion Showcase highlighting new collections with runway presentations and styling workshops. For families, the Kids Club program offers monthly educational entertainment including storytelling sessions, science demonstrations, and craft workshops that keep young visitors engaged while parents enjoy shopping breaks. The center’s commitment to community engagement manifests through regular Charity Shopping Events where a percentage of the day’s sales benefit local nonprofits, complemented by collection drives for essentials during critical seasons. For those interested in wellness, the Morning Mall Walkers program provides a climate-controlled environment for exercise before store openings, while seasonal yoga sessions on the waterfront deck combine fitness with the scenic Charles River backdrop during warmer months. Art enthusiasts appreciate the rotating Art Installation Series featuring works from local artists displayed throughout the common areas, often complemented by meet-the-artist events and creative workshops. The Local Entrepreneur Showcase offers pop-up retail opportunities for emerging Cambridge businesses, allowing them to gain exposure alongside established retailers. Culinary curiosity is satisfied through the Chef’s Table Series at CanalSide, where featured restaurants offer tasting menus and cooking demonstrations highlighting their signature dishes. Throughout the ongoing redevelopment, the Construction Milestone Celebrations mark significant progress points with special events that allow the community to preview upcoming features and learn about the evolving project. These thoughtfully curated events and programs reflect CambridgeSide’s understanding that modern retail centers must offer experiences beyond shopping to remain relevant and engaging in today’s competitive landscape.
Redevelopment Vision
CambridgeSide’s ambitious redevelopment project represents one of the most significant urban transformation initiatives in Cambridge, reimagining the traditional shopping center as a dynamic mixed-use destination that reflects contemporary lifestyles. The visionary plan, described with the tagline “Where Your Future Will Rise,” maintains the center’s retail heritage while expanding its purpose to encompass the full spectrum of urban living. At the heart of this evolution is the addition of 1.65 million square feet of state-of-the-art laboratory and office space, strategically positioned to attract innovative companies seeking proximity to Kendall Square’s renowned technology and biotech ecosystem. These new workspaces feature cutting-edge sustainability systems, collaborative environments, and amenities designed to foster creativity and productivity, addressing the growing demand for premium commercial space in Cambridge’s knowledge economy. The residential component introduces 160 thoughtfully designed apartments that will allow residents to live where they shop, dine, and potentially work, creating a truly integrated lifestyle with unparalleled convenience. These residences will feature contemporary designs, energy-efficient systems, and community-building amenities that promote interaction among neighbors while maintaining privacy and comfort. The retail experience is being enhanced rather than diminished during this transition, with two levels of shops and restaurants remaining operational throughout construction, soon to be complemented by additional street-facing retail along First Street and CambridgeSide Place that will enhance the neighborhood’s pedestrian experience. The project places significant emphasis on public space enhancements, including the development of two new pocket parks along First Street that will provide green respite areas within the urban setting, complementing the existing parks that anchor the development. The waterfront location continues to play a central role in the property’s identity, with improved access to and visibility of the canal and Charles River, celebrating these natural assets as integral to the CambridgeSide experience. Transportation connectivity is prioritized through enhanced linkages to the MBTA system, continued operation of the EZRide shuttle, and improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that reflects Cambridge’s commitment to sustainable transportation. This comprehensive redevelopment vision positions CambridgeSide not merely as a shopping destination but as an integrated urban center where retail, work, residence, and recreation coexist in a thoughtfully designed environment that serves as a model for the evolution of similar properties across the country.
