BOSTON-- Equity Residential and Turner Construction celebrated the 'Topping Off' of the first building of The Equity Residential Development at Emerson Place in Boston. The five building project includes 310 new residential units, is the first addition of new housing to the West End neighborhood in 20 years. At the ceremony, the final steel beam was signed by Ironworkers and representatives of Turner Construction and Equity Residential and hoisted 14-stories in the air to be placed on top of the building. The 132,000 square foot residential building includes 104 units.

"We are very pleased to be the first to bring more housing to the West End community," said Greg White, Vice President Development, Equity Residential. "The completion of the steel frame, signified by this 'Topping Off' ceremony is a sign that we are on schedule to deliver a quality product in the Spring of 2008."

The Equity Residential Development at Emerson Place is the culmination of over four years of planning with city, state and the community. The addition of these new units will not only bring an expanded range of options, but also a continued vitality to the already thriving Boston neighborhood. The developer, in response to community input, has pledged a series of benefits that will serve to advance the renewal of the neighborhood, including contributions to ongoing improvements of the Science Park MBTA Station, Downtown North Initiatives and over 2.5 acres of open space.