Kenmore (MBTA station)

Kenmore (MBTA station) is a rapid transit station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line, located in the Kenmore Square area of Boston, Massachusetts. It serves as a major transfer point for the B, C, and D branches of the Green Line, providing direct access to the Fenway–Kenmore neighborhood. The station is a critical transportation hub for events at nearby Fenway Park and institutions like Boston University.

History

The station opened on October 23, 1932, as part of the Boston Elevated Railway's Tremont Street subway extension project, which replaced the Boston and Albany Railroad's surface station. Its construction was a key component of the Green Line's expansion into Brookline and Newton. Major renovations occurred in the 1980s and again starting in 2023, when the station was temporarily closed for extensive modernization work as part of the MBTA's system-wide capital improvement program. The station's history is intertwined with the development of Kenmore Square and the growth of adjacent Boston University.

Station layout

Kenmore is an underground station with two side platforms serving the two central tracks. The main entrance and fare control area are located at the eastern end, leading up to Kenmore Square, with secondary exits near Commonwealth Avenue. The station features a distinctive, spacious mezzanine level designed to handle large crowds, particularly during events at Fenway Park. Signage and tilework have been updated in phases, with recent renovations improving wayfinding and integrating modern MBTA design standards.

Accessibility

The station became fully accessible in 2023 following a major renovation project that included the installation of new elevators connecting the street, mezzanine, and platform levels. These improvements were part of a settlement under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to upgrade the MBTA system. Accessible pathways and tactile warning strips are now present throughout the facility, making it compliant with modern standards set by the Federal Transit Administration.

Connections

Kenmore station functions as a major bus transfer hub, with several MBTA bus routes stopping at the surface-level terminal in Kenmore Square. Key routes include the CT2 to Sullivan Square, the 57 to Watertown Yard, and the 19 to Fields Corner. The station also provides direct pedestrian connections to the dense network of streets in the Fenway–Kenmore and Back Bay neighborhoods.

Nearby points of interest

The station's location in Kenmore Square places it within walking distance of numerous major Boston landmarks. It is the closest MBTA station to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, and is adjacent to the main campus of Boston University. Other notable institutions nearby include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Landmark Center. The Back Bay Fens portion of the Emerald Necklace park system is also directly accessible from the station. Category:MBTA Green Line stations Category:Railway stations in Boston Category:Railway stations opened in 1932