Chinatown’s First Public Library Building to Feature Affordable Housing
Written by b87fm on 09/23/2025
History is being made in Boston’s Chinatown. For the first time in seven decades, the neighborhood will have a permanent public library branch — built inside a brand-new mixed-use development that also delivers over 100 affordable homes.
The project, located at 55 Hudson Street, will transform a city-owned parking lot into a 12-story building. The bottom two floors will house the Boston Public Library branch — including a community room that can host 100 people — while the upper levels will feature 66 affordable rental units and 44 affordable condos.
Mayor Michelle Wu joined city and state leaders, community activists, and developers at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, September 17.
“Chinatown has always deserved a permanent library branch, and today, after all these decades, we are finally taking the steps to make that real,” Wu said. “We’re bringing back what was lost, while also tackling Boston’s housing crisis.”
Decades in the Making
The fight for a Chinatown library goes back generations. The original branch, on Tyler Street, was demolished in the 1950s to make room for the Central Artery highway project. Residents were left without a permanent library for more than 60 years, until a temporary location opened inside the China Trade Center in 2018.
Angie Liou, executive director of the Asian Community Development Corporation, which is leading the project, called the new development the result of years of community organizing:
“Seventy years ago, Hudson Street was a vibrant immigrant community. If it were not for the organizing of long-time activists, we would not have reclaimed these parcels for community uses.”
The $—multi-million redevelopment— is being funded through more than 20 city, state, federal, and nonprofit sources.
Representative Aaron Michlewitz summed up the project’s impact:
“Not only will the community see 100 new affordable units, but it will also bring about a new Chinatown branch library — helping fulfill a long promise to the people of this neighborhood.”
