By DJ Cence

Hasbro recently announced its first official Boston edition Monopoly game, a move which raised eyebrows in light of the company’s search for a new headquarters. The economic implications of this relocation would be massive for the selected city, however, Hasbro has made clear that the game’s announcement has no connection to their impending real estate decision. With that in mind, let’s explore what kinds of properties our proud Bostonians would like to see represented on the upcoming board.

Like most major cities, it is impossible to sum up Boston with just 40 spaces on the game board, and only 28 properties to own. With a wide range of significant real estate and landmarks in the city, here are some of the properties we feel Hasbro cannot leave off the board when representing Boston.

The Railroads and Utilities

Starting with an obvious selection, the MBTA’s Red, Orange, Green, and Blue lines connect the city proper and beyond, and align nicely with the standard number of railroads on the board.

For the utility spaces, two well-known landmarks are the Boston Sand and Gravel site next to the Zakim Bridge on the northern edge of the city and the “Rainbow Swash” National Grid gas tank situated south of the city off Interstate 93. These two sights often serve as a beacon for weary travelers eager to get home after a long ride.

Cultural Institutions

A strong argument can be made that the most expensive properties on the board (Boardwalk and Park Place in the original), should reflect the well-earned moniker of “Title Town.” TD Garden, home to the Celtics and Bruins who have a combined 24 championship banners in the rafters, and historic Fenway Park, the oldest active MLB stadium in the country, are natural inclusions.  

Boston has several outstanding museums and galleries to enjoy as well, including the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.   

Eds and Meds

Boston has a reputation internationally as a hub for education, with some of the top colleges and universities in the world in and around the Greater Boston area. 

At Boston College, St. Mary’s Chapel acts as the center of campus. Closer to Downtown, Northeastern’s Matthews Arena has served as the past home of the Celtics, Bruins, and Huskies over the past century. Just off the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Science, which opened on Boston University’s campus in 2022, catches eyes from all around the city for its design reminiscent of a stack of books.

While Harvard University is predominantly located in Cambridge, Harvard Medical School, one of the world’s most prestigious educational institutions, is situated at the base of the Mission Hill neighborhood. It symbolizes a bridge between education and healthcare, two major aspects of Boston’s growth and success, making it a natural addition to the board.

On the medicine front, Boston has no shortage of worthy selections. Alongside Mass General Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, and Mass Eye and Ear are the world-class hospitals in the Longwood Medical Area, including Brigham and Women’s, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Boston Children’s Hospital. The healthcare industry is the largest employer in Boston, with 153 thousand employees, and must be represented in a board game highlighting the city.

Corporate/Office Landmarks

Leading off contenders for office properties is the Hancock Tower, which remains the tallest building in New England since its construction in 1976. The building features a glass façade with a minimalist design approach, displaying a stark difference from surrounding buildings and buildings constructed in Boston at the time.  

One of the most iconic buildings in the city, the Prudential building dwarfs other buildings in the surrounding area. Featuring a mix of offices and retail, the “Pru” is a hub of activity for Boston residents and tourists alike. Leaving this building off the board would be a miss.

If Hasbro desired to include a more modern inclusion, look no further than the State Street building at One Congress Street. The building brings a sleek, all glass façade to the Government Center area, with an ellipses shape throughout its exterior and interior.

Historic and Civic Sites

One of the most prominent for residents and tourists is the Boston Common and the Public Garden. While not as vast as Central Park, Boston Common can tout its status as the oldest public park in America. Featuring art installations, the historic Frog Pond skating area, and a stunning pond to sit by and enjoy, Hasbro should make sure these locations are reflected on the board.

The Faneuil Hall marketplace and meetinghouse is one of the most visited tourism destinations in the U.S. Built in 1742, the meeting house and surrounding retail act as the quintessential Boston tourism location. Many visitors to Boston have prioritized a stroll through Faneuil Hall during their trip.

Finally, Hasbro must include the Massachusetts State House as a property. The great golden dome is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Additionally, the State House’s municipal counterpart Boston City Hall, with its divisive brutalist architecture, would be a worthy inclusion.

Rounding the Corner

While the board itself will be focused on real estate and other landmarks around the city, nods to the Hub don’t need to stop there. The playing pieces themselves offer another opportunity to infuse local flavor. Imagine rolling the dice and moving a pewter Red Sox hat past Start to collect $200 or begrudgingly moving your Dunkin’ Donuts cup to Jail. We’d strongly encourage representation of DIY space savers for the Free Parking spot, which is bound to resonate with any Bostonian who’s woken up early to shovel out their car after a snow storm.