The Kendall Square arts and culture development marks an exciting evolution for Cambridge’s Canal District—bringing public arts space to the epicenter of the life sciences industry.
Over the years, the Belfort Group team has worked on many real estate development projects in and around Greater Boston. Our portfolio includes mixed-use, residential and commercial projects. More recently, we have worked on a number of cannabis related developments and even found our niche in helping mall owners bring new visions for their properties to life.
Our most recent project is one that we are very proud of—bringing arts and culture to the epicenter of the life sciences industry in Kendall Square, Cambridge.
The Vision Behind the Kendall Square Arts and Culture Development
In 2018, our client BioMed Realty purchased an empty, 1-acre lot for $50.5 million (585 Third Street, Cambridge, MA). At one point, the Constellation Charitable Foundation owned the site and proposed a performing arts complex. Ultimately, the project was never realized.
Enter BioMed Realty with a vision for a 250-foot, three-tiered lab tower. The project includes 40,000 square feet of public arts and culture space across the first three floors. The building will rise within 10 acres along the Broad Canal, part of a growing neighborhood now known as the Canal District.
Over 8 months ago, the Belfort Group Public Affairs team was brought on to develop and implement a public campaign aimed at garnering Input, to inform the proposal for this 35,865-square-foot lot. With that accomplished, we will now transition Into helping Biomed with the process of securing a rezoning and special permit. BioMed Realty plans to begin construction in March 2022 and open the building in late 2024.
Design renderings show a fluid, multicolored building, which is very unique within the Kendall Square area and aligns with the Canal District’s brand. The building will feature a terraced structure with curved facades and thirteen stories of lab space. In addition to the research tower, the project will include 40,000 square feet of publicly accessible green space and arts and culture facilities. Notably, the plan includes a 300-seat “jewelbox” theater, encased in glass and suspended above the main lobby.
Our Public Affairs Group
Our Public Affairs group takes on tough assignments—projects that are high risk, high reward in nature. Lab space in Kendall Square is not inherently controversial. However, balancing height, massing, rezoning requests, and public amenities requires careful coordination. As such, a thoughtful and proactive approach is essential. We are proud to be part of this project. We look forward to its approval later this year.
As you begin bringing your project to the community, we encourage you to consider partnering with us. From the outset, thoughtful grassroots engagement can build trust and generate meaningful momentum. Ultimately, these efforts help shape real estate projects that communities can support and take pride in.
Check out some of the media coverage our team secured related to the project:
The Boston Globe
In this new office building, Kendall Square may get some culture
Banker and Tradesman
BioMed Unveils Kendall Square Development Plans
The Cambridge Chronicle
BioMed unveils proposal for 16-story building with arts venue in Kendall
Cambridge Day
Gas transfer station is removed in proposal for 250-foot lab tower with public arts space
