(1938 – 2017)

An internationally acclaimed architect and urban designer, Howard Elkus led the design of game-changing developments and destinations over his career, which spanned more than 50 years. His commitment to designing urban places that create community – he termed these “people places” – was unequaled, as was his dedication to revitalizing cities with a dynamic and authentic blend of old and new. A friend and mentor to many in the architectural community and beyond, Howard brought a sense of joy and rigor to all his work, an infectious exuberance and standard of excellence that inspired each project, each client, and each team he led.

Since co-founding Elkus Manfredi Architects in 1988, and previously as a principal of The Architects Collaborative, Howard’s visionary work consistently broke new ground. As a pioneer of placemaking and sustainable design, he was a transformational figure not only in his adopted city of Boston, where his influence can be seen throughout the built environment, but also in cities and neighborhoods across the country and the globe.

His projects have included the design and planning for the million-square-foot Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards; master planning and design for Union Point, the comprehensive “Smart City” south of Boston; master planning and architectural design for Miami Worldcenter, a 27-acre downtown redevelopment that brings the heart of Miami into the 21st century; the Las Vegas City Hall, a signature design that pays homage to the past, present, and future of the city; two 47-story glass residential towers on the Hudson River in Fort Lee, New Jersey; Copley Place in Boston, the flagship prototype for mixed-use urban centers that Howard planned and designed 30 years ago.

Other large-scale mixed-use destinations are equally legendary — The Shops at Columbus Circle at the Time Warner Center in New York City and the world-famous paradigm of new urbanism, CityPlace in West Palm Beach. In addition, Howard created the next generation of transformational mixed-use destinations with the remaking of Boston’s iconic Faneuil Hall Marketplace. His work also included master plans and building designs for major higher education institutions including Harvard, Stanford, and Boston University.

Internationally, Howard led design teams for major mixed-use projects including The Galleria and Al Maryah Central in Abu Dhabi; and major mixed-use planning and design projects in Toronto, Istanbul, and Mexico City.

Howard received a Master of Architecture with Distinction from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, having been the lead designer of the AIA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.; a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Boston Society of Architects; and a LEED Accredited Professional.

Howard was an active member of the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers; and served on the Board of Trustees of the Boston Architectural College, the National Advisory Board of Old North Foundation, Artists for Humanity, and the International Board of Advisors of HealthBridge Foundation.