Lexington Police Headquarters
This facility was a Notable in the Law Enforcement Facilities II category of the 2025 Officer Station Design Awards.
Official Project Name: Lexington Police Headquarters
Project City/State: Lexington, MA
Date Completed: June 18, 2024
Chief/Director: Mark Barrett, Director of Public Facilities
Project Area (sq. ft.): 34,200
Total Cost: $35,500,000
Cost Per Square Foot: $830
Architect/Firm Name: Tecton Architects
City/State: Hartford, CT
Phone: (860) 548-0802
Website: tectonarchitects.com
Design Team: Tecton Architects; Consulting Engineering Services; Fuss & O’Neill; WSP; Architx; Rider Levett Bucknall; New Ecology; Materially Better (formerly Integrated Eco Strategy)
Project Description
Located within Lexington, Massachusetts’ storied Battle Green District, the new Lexington Police Headquarters replaces an outdated facility with a forward-looking, Net-Positive-ready building reflecting the Town’s commitment to sustainability, equity, and civic identity. Informed by a comprehensive public safety master planning effort, the project was shaped through close collaboration with Town boards, committees, and residents – guided by Lexington’s ambitious sustainability goals, a growing focus on equity and policing, and the constraints of one of the nation’s most rigorously protected historic districts.
The 34,000 sq. ft., two-story facility shares a campus with Lexington’s recognizable 1928 civic buildings and draws from their Colonial Revival character — incorporating traditional brickwork and white wood trim while balancing the transparency, safety, and security needs of a modern public safety facility.
The new building supports community policing principles, fostering openness, approachability, and shared civic space, strengthening relationships between officers and the community they serve. The building features accessible public space at the forefront, restrooms welcoming visitors from the neighboring park, and expanded areas for mental health services, social work, and de-escalation training. These community-facing elements are paired with essential spaces for modern police operations – including detention areas, training rooms, secure evidence and vehicle storage, and administrative offices. Reflecting a commitment to inclusivity, the facility also includes a gender-neutral locker room and restrooms.
Designed to meet future NetPositive Energy status, the building includes an all-electric HVAC system, enhanced thermal envelope, and photovoltaic panels integrated into parking canopies. Materials were specified for their sustainability, durability, and low toxicity, aligned with the Town’s LEED+Lex standard and Red List-free goals.
More than a new police station, the $35 million (total project cost) facility is a civic landmark — designed to instill pride in its department, invite positive public interaction, and reflect Lexington’s enduring commitment to sustainability, wellness, and community-first design.