Most of the buildings were razed in the 1970s, leaving a large area of overgrown vacant lots that languished for many years while MIT tried to find a use for the  property. Serious planning began in 1983 with MIT's selection of Forest City to develop the land, and approval of a city master plan for the area.
The demolition of buildings in the 1970s led to large vacant lots that remained undeveloped for many years while MIT sought a use for the property. Planning efforts began in earnest in 1983 when MIT selected Forest City to develop the land and received approval for a city master plan for the area.