Northeastern University Breaks Ground on $310M Athletics Complex
New England Council member Northeastern University has begun demolition of the historic Matthews Arena to make way for a new 310,000-square-foot multi-purpose athletics complex on its Boston campus. Suffolk Construction began the full removal of the 150-year-old structure on Feb. 20, clearing the site for a modern facility expected to open by fall 2028.
The new arena will seat 4,050 for ice hockey and 5,300 for basketball and is intended to host multiple events for the broader Northeastern community. The project adds to a wave of recent campus development, including a new 1,215-bed residence hall at 840 Columbus Avenue. Matthews Arena, originally built in 1910, served as the onetime home of the Bruins and Celtics and hosted the first Beanpot hockey tournament before Northeastern acquired it in 1979.
“It’s more than just a hockey rink,” said Jim Madigan, Northeastern’s athletics director and former hockey coach. “Matthews is a building that has connected communities — the Northeastern community and the Boston community — for 150 years.”
The New England Council commends Northeastern University for its continued investment in campus infrastructure and its commitment to building world-class facilities for its students and the broader Boston community.
Read more on the Boston Business Journal & Northeastern Global News