The Monty Boston – Stormwater Retention with a View
When renovating The Monty Boston, the owner was required to retain 1,200 cubic feet of stormwater on-site. The conventional solution—installing large underground holding tanks—would have cost more than $400,000 and significantly disrupted the building during construction. Instead, the owner partnered with Roofterra, a green infrastructure consulting and construction management company, to explore a more efficient and purposeful approach.

Roofterra designed a green roof system capable of retaining the required stormwater directly on the rooftop, transforming a previously unused surface into a lush amenity space. Recover Green Roofs carried out the installation and continues to maintain the landscape to ensure lasting performance and health.

The finished roof features a guest-accessible deck framed by a native meadow planting that supports pollinators, adds seasonal beauty, and quietly manages rainfall where it lands. It is constructed of oil rig platform grating, an ADA-compliant material that is less slippery when wet, requires less maintenance than wood, and is easier to install. In place of the underground rainwater tanks, this project delivers a welcoming outdoor environment that enhances both the building and the surrounding neighborhood.

The Monty Boston stands as an example of how thoughtful design can meet regulatory requirements while creating meaningful, livable green space in the city.