CitizenM’s North Station Location Brings Cool Comfort to Busy Guests
Think: local artwork, designer furnishings, and a chic terrace with skyline views.
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Where does a hotel that prioritizes mobility drop its anchor in Boston? North Station, of course. Opened in August 2019, CitizenM’s Boston outpost stands next to the commuter hub—a location that encapsulates the Dutch hotel chain’s ethos. Designed around the lifestyles of the frequently on-the-go, or “mobile citizens,” from whom the company takes its name, CitizenM aims to give busy people exactly what they need, and nothing that they don’t. In Boston, that translates to more than just train access. Here, guests get minimalist but luxurious rooms with king-size beds and Italian linens, and a giant common area (stocked with furniture from Swiss manufacturer Vitra) that contains plenty of spaces for working and lounging. Plus, an open-concept, 24/7 canteen means guests never go hungry, and thanks to a terrace with skyline views, there’s also a place to enjoy a nightcap from a granite-topped bar before bedtime.
Ahead, we take a look at the details behind CitizenM’s design.
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On the other side of the common area’s floor-to-ceiling windows lies CitizenM’s crown jewel: the terrace. The outdoor space makes the most of the hotel’s downtown location, offering sweeping views of the surrounding area. Pendant lights dot pergola structures, while the bespoke benches underneath are perfect for hanging out.
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Accommodations may be pared down, but that doesn’t mean they’re dull. Large windows maximize natural light, while in-room “MoodPad” tablets allow guests to set the bathrooms’ color-changing lights to their liking. “That feature is a guest favorite,” says CitizenM creative director Rob Wagemans.
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Don’t call it a lobby: The heart of the hotel, the 9,600-square-foot common area (the “living room”), is for guests to use as they see fit. “We designed the space to have cozy nooks as well as larger, more open-plan spaces,” Wagemans says. On the cozy side: the “Alcove Plume Contract” sofas by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec.
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Even though it’s a chain, the hotel’s artwork and furnishings feel distinctly Boston, with nods to the sports culture and local food scene, Wagemans says. That includes a mural by Jamaica Plain–based painter Joe Wardwell, located in the entryway, as well as pieces from fellow local artists Ariel Basson Freiberg, Maria Molteni, and Elisa H. Hamilton.
Architects
Concrete Architectural Associates, Gensler
Contractor
Moriarty
Interior Designer
Concrete Architectural Associates
