A revitalized Architectural Event Venue
The SoWa Power Station is an iconic masterpiece of late-industrial glamour. Built in 1891 as the world’s largest power generating plant, it produced enough electricity to run the West End Street Railway. The century-old property’s structural elements have since been rescued and restored, transforming it into a blank canvas for community, celebration, and innovation.
Your Event
Spanning over 30,000 square feet across two stories, the SoWa Power Station is spacious and flexible enough to accommodate thousands of guests with unlimited event configurations. Whether you’re hosting a corporate, non-profit, social, or ticketed event, the private event spaces at the SoWa Power Station set the scene for you and your guests to create an unforgettable experience.
Plan Your Event
BAR SERVICES
We offer a variety of beverage packages that can be curated and customized to fit your specific event needs.
CATERING
We work with a curated list of premier caterers in the Boston area who provide exceptional service at every step of the planning process, from proposal preparation through event execution.
VENDORS
We have built strong relationships with many outstanding vendors and planners whose expertise and creativity consistently elevate events in the space. We would be happy to connect you with trusted professionals to help bring your vision to life.
PARKING
Our primary parking lot is located directly adjacent to the venue at 540 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA. We offer several parking options, including self-parking, valet service, designated reserved spaces, pre-purchased validations, and lot buyouts.
Our Story
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Construction Begins
Construction Begins on the Central Power Station for the expansion of the West End Street Railway; an ambitious engineering and architectural feat, built to endure functionally as well as aesthetically.
- 1891
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Power Station Goes Online
After 3 years of construction, the Central Power Station went online in 1892 to great fanfare. At its inception, it was the largest power generation plant in the world.
- 1912
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Chimney and Complex Demolished
The decision was made to demolish the huge chimney and many of the adjacent buildings that made up the complex. The colossal “engine room” on the west end of the property and a smaller adjoining room, which serves as our secondary event space, are all that remain.
- 1947
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Purchased by GTI
In 1999, GTI Properties bought an available parcel of land from the MBTA. On it: the remaining structure of the Central Power Station. Over 100 years after it was built, the shell of this grand architectural wonder had fallen into decay and disrepair but its steel truss construction and two-foot thick brick walls were still strong.
- 2018
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Open For Business
In 2021, The newly renamed named SoWa Power Station opened, offering 32,000 square feet of event space and a unique open floorplan to host your dream event.
- 1889
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Construction Finished
Construction of the CPS is finished. The massive machinery contained within powered the first unified urban transportation system in the country which evolved over the course of several decades into the Boston Elevated Railway and eventually the modern-day MBTA.
- 1892
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Power Station Retired
Due to advances in technology outpacing the CPS, by 1912 the power station was retired.
- 1940
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Deeded to the State
The City of Boston’s Acts of 1947 deeded all of the property of the Boston Elevated Railway Company to the MTA (now known as the MBTA) including the land on which the CPS stood. The MBTA used the old engine room as a trolley barn, for storing and repairing street cars.
- 1999
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Renovations Begin
In 2018 the Power Station closed for renovations and rethought from the ground up. Empty windows have been fitted with custom 20 foot tall paned glass and impressive French doors. New electrical, plumbing and concrete flooring installed throughout.
- 2021
-
1889
Construction Begins
Construction Begins on the Central Power Station for the expansion of the West End Street Railway; an ambitious engineering and architectural feat, built to endure functionally as well as aesthetically.
-
1891
Construction Finished
Construction of the CPS is finished. The massive machinery contained within powered the first unified urban transportation system in the country which evolved over the course of several decades into the Boston Elevated Railway and eventually the modern-day MBTA.
-
1892
Power Station Goes Online
After 3 years of construction, the Central Power Station went online in 1892 to great fanfare. At its inception, it was the largest power generation plant in the world.