Previous Next

History

First in Flight

Marina Bay is the site of a long and storied tradition of American grit and daring.

In 1910, the Harvard Aeronautic Society leased the 700-acre peninsula, then called Squantum Point, to host one of the country’s very first “air shows.” The Harvard-Boston Aero Meet, featuring world-class pilots like Wilbur Wright, helped launch aviation into the national spotlight. Nearly two decades later, Amelia Earhart trained here in preparation for her historic solo trans-Atlantic flight.

Historical photos courtesy of ANA Patriot Squadron, Shea Naval Aviation Museum collection.

play
Wavyline Box

Military Use

During the early stages of World War II, the eastern side of the Point was developed into a military shipyard, aptly named the Victory Destroyer Plant. The yard pumped out 35 full-sized Clemson-class destroyers in just two years of operation—warships that would protect Atlantic shipping lanes for decades to come.

When the Destroyer Plant finished its production quota, the U.S. Navy bought the adjacent airfield and converted the entire site into a military airport. Naval Air Station Squantum served as an important maritime patrol and training base for the next 30 years, until its proximity to Logan Airport forced its closure.

Wave mango

Today

All of this paved the way for the new Marina Bay to rise from the tideline where the Victory Plant stood. Starting in the ‘80s, prosperous Bostonians began moving out to the peninsula, bringing with them a refined sense of taste and a nearly-insatiable hunger for the sea. A marina was built into the harbor for these seafaring transplants, while a picturesque boardwalk rose along its edge, making way for shops, restaurants, and boutiques.

Meriel Marina Bay is the final piece of this pristine seaside puzzle. The last major development planned for the boardwalk, this stunning new apartment community marks the culmination of decades of careful planning and neighborhood cooperation.