Boston Properties bought the center in 1998 along with the rights to change the master plan, approved in 1990, provided there is no reduction in additional housing that was already approved. Residential housing was originally supposed to be built on Boylston Street, but that would be moved to Exeter Street next to the Lord & Taylor department store. Boston Properties will build a 19-story apartment building there, and add two floors of condominiums to the hotel thereby not reducing the original number of residential units in the plan.

Opponents of the plan--brokered by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, which called for the apartment building--object to the hotel, insisting that the area needs more residential units rather than a hotel. In addition, opponents are concerned about the traffic impact of the apartment tower on Exeter Street. The BRA would like to see another hotel go up in this city, which needs more hotel rooms especially before the opening of the convention center in South Boston.

The Prudential Center consists of apartments, an enclosed mall and office space including a 52-story tower. Boston Properties is currently building another tower at 111 Huntington Ave. and a 65-unit condominium called the Belvedere.