BOSTON– LaSalle Investment Management announced the completion of the new 110 High Street Lobby project within 50 Post Office Square (50 PO), an iconic Class A office tower located in Boston’s Financial District.
Following its purchase of 50 PO in 2015, the firm embarked on a multi-faceted capital enhancement plan that has delivered a dynamic new lobby and High Street entrance designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, and features a first-of-its-kind 100-foot digital Boston Media Band Experience that is programmed with three digital art modes that react to traffic in the lobby in a variety of fun and interactive ways. Created by ESI Design, the media band is designed to extend the experience of the building into the street, while simultaneously bringing the energy of the city inside.
At 110 High Street, LaSalle recently signed a 117,000 square foot lease with Medidata Solutions (NASDAQ: MDSO), a global life science technology company. Members of Medidata’s SHYFT Analytics division will immediately occupy the space. SHYFT Analytics is the leading platform for commercial and real-world data analytics with products designed specifically for the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industry. Medidata and SHYFT have plans to continue to grow in Boston. The building’s occupancy now stands at 100%.
Dave Martel and Gil Dailey of Newmark Knight Frank represented LaSalle, and Lisa Kiell and Kelly Lockberg of JLL represented Medidata Solutions for the lease agreement.
Kristy Heuberger, Head of U.S. Asset Management at LaSalle, commented: “We are very pleased that our 50 Post Office Square/110 High Street building has been able to capture both Boston’s rich history and bright future through its diverse tenant base and unique designs. We are equally excited to welcome our new tenant, Medidata and SHYFT, to 110 High Street as well, as they will bring a vibrant presence and energy that will complement the building’s marquee location in the Financial District.”
Mark Sardegna, Principal at Elkus Manfredi Architects, added: “Elkus Manfredi Architects is honored to contribute to the re-invention and newest chapter of this majestic Art Deco icon. This new environment blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor to showcase the interactive media experience and engage the tenants, visitors and the community. It’s a project that embraces history while stepping with confidence into the future of our city.”
Edwin Schlossberg, President & Principal Designer of ESI Design, said: “Our goal at 110 High Street was to transform this iconic building’s new entrance into a unique experience. The Boston Media Band centers on the flow of the city and activates the lobby, plaza, and surrounding streetscape with movement and personality. The first and largest installation of its kind in Boston, it responds to the presence of people with moments of surprise and delight. By breaking the barrier between inside and outside, the installation broadcasts the building’s new identity to the street and draws people in.”
LaSalle Investment Management acquired 50 Post Office Square in December, 2015. When underwriting the opportunity to acquire the property, the company saw it as a high-quality, substantially-renovated historic office tower that is exceptionally well located in the Boston CBD’s Financial District within immediate proximity to South Station, numerous area amenities and overlooking a popular and heavily-tracked public park. The property offered a compelling value enhancement opportunity to fully renovate the building’s second lobby, at 110 High Street, as a means to lease the remaining 19% of low-rise vacancy.
Originally built in 1947, the building’s high-quality, Art Deco design had great bones and structure to pursue an innovative renovation that would attract large tenants in today’s evolving business landscape. LaSalle crafted and embarked on a renovation plan with a vision to create a building within a building. The new entrance would have its own identity and offer access on the High Street side of this highly recognized building.
LaSalle partnered with the following vendors to execute the re-imagined 110 High Street Lobby, including:
Architecture
Elkus Manfredi Architects
Development Services
Turner Construction
JLL
Digital Media Band
ESI Design
Electrosnoic
Additional Partners
Dimensional Communications, Inc
AV&C
Arbitrarily Good Productions
Halvorson Design Partnership
McNamara / Salvia, Inc.
C3 – Commercial Construction Consulting, Inc.
Van Deusen Associates (VDA).
