Mark DiOrio: A Passion for Real Estate & Commitment to Enhancing Communities

The Managing Director & General Counsel of The Bulfinch Companies, Inc. wins the 2022 Corporate Real Estate Attorney of the Year

BOSTON- Over the last 25 years, Mark DiOrio has been instrumental in Bulfinch’s transformation from a small family-owned real estate company to one of the leading commercial real estate companies in Greater Boston, overseeing all legal matters for the Company and its affiliates. Mr. DiOrio joined Bulfinch in 1997, shortly after the firm transitioned to the third generation of leadership.

During his tenure, Bulfinch strategically executed substantial portfolio and team growth. The Company’s portfolio increased significantly from approximately 500,000 square feet to greater than 4.2 million square feet in property, valued at approximately $4 billion. DiOrio helped execute Bulfinch’s strategic portfolio transition from predominantly suburban office properties to more than 80% urban properties with over 70% of current tenants in the life science and healthcare industries.

DiOrio’s leadership efforts extend beyond real estate transactions. He has been integral in Bulfinch’s team expansion that has increased from 20 employees to over 60 in the last 25 years and has helped create and enhance employee policies and procedures for the firm’s growing team as well as mentor and support team members. Consistent with Bulfinch’s team-driven mission, his efforts are a testament to the emphasis the company places on the whole team, and the commitment it has made to adapting to the changing needs of the workplace and team members.

As Managing Director and General Counsel for the company, DiOrio oversees all legal matters pertaining to the Bulfinch portfolio, as well as assists in the analysis, origination and structuring of the Company’s and its affiliates transactions. He has overseen numerous negotiations for the Bulfinch portfolio and has played an integral role in helping the company achieve its position as a market leader.

DiOrio is also member of Bulfinch’s Wall of Fame Club, recognizing his significant contributions to the firm and the industry. In his nomination for Boston Real Estate Times’s Corporate Real Estate Attorney of the Year, colleagues wrote “He has been a tremendous resource at Bulfinch and a trusted colleague and friend to many over his career. His passion for real estate and commitment to enhancing communities is one of his greatest attributes.”

The Bulfinch Companies, Inc. (Bulfinch) is a third-generation, entrepreneurial, value-added real estate investment firm specializing in the development, acquisition, management, and repositioning of commercial properties in Greater Boston. With approximately $4 Billion in assets, Bulfinch has built a reputation for identifying opportunities and creating valuable and coveted properties across many industries. The firm’s disciplined approach, entrepreneurial mindset, depth of experience and focus on meeting the needs of both their tenants and the community have produced an enviable track record and roster of tenants and investors for over 86 years. Bulfinch’s Drive to 2025 strategic plan focuses on disciplined portfolio expansion, team growth, diversity, equity + inclusion, and sustainability.

Notable recent projects from Bulfinch include the redevelopment of the former atrium mall which is now a medical and wellness destination known as Life Time Center in Chestnut Hill as well as the development of Cambridge Discovery Park, a state-of-the-art life science campus in Cambridge.

Cambridge Discovery Park is a 27-acre first-class life science, research and office campus on Route 2 in Cambridge, MA. CDP features 670,000 SF that includes 3 state-of-the-art buildings and parking garages, a Marriot AC Hotel, lush green space, infrastructure and public utilities. Surrounded by Alewife Brook Reservation, CDP is one of the largest campuses in Cambridge after MIT and Harvard and delivers first-class amenities both on-and off-site in a richly landscaped environment.

Formerly the Atrium Mall, Life Time Center is a re-imagined 286,000 sf state-of-the-art wellness and healthcare center. Located on Route 9 in Chestnut Hill, MA, the property is perfectly situated at the gateway to an established world-class medical corridor, and is just steps to an unmatched amenity base. In addition, the property offers tenants superior accessibility via car, MBTA, and/or bus, over 1,000 free covered parking spaces, and the luxury and convenience of valet parking. Key tenants including Life Time Athletic and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, among others.

Current development projects include Highland Innovation Center, a in Needham. Bulfinch plans to redevelop the former Muzi Ford Dealership on Highland Ave into a new 400,000 SF – 500,000 SF state-of-the-art facility to support market demands for life science, research and development space.

Bulfinch purchased the former Neiman Marcus building at the Natick Mall in 2021 with plans to redevelop the property into a life science or office building to meet market demands. Bulfinch is also working on the development of 804 Huntington in Boston. The proposed development is anticipated to include approximately 75,000 SF of medical, office, lab and residential space with additional ground floor retail.

Prior to joining Bulfinch in 1997, DiOrio was an attorney with the Boston law firm of Ropes & Gray and held several management positions at The New York Telephone Company (Verizon).

DiOrio currently serves as a working group member of the Envision Alewife sub-group of the Envision Cambridge comprehensive City of Cambridge city wide planning process and previously was a technical advisory committee member on the City of Cambridge Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Task Force. He was an honoree at the 2007 “In-House Leaders in the Law” award ceremony, hosted annually by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and a recipient of the Public Affairs Award from the Massachusetts Chapter of NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties) for work on Mass DEP’s proposed storm water regulations (2009).

DiOrio served for many years as a mentor for the Boston Partners in Education Power Lunch Reading Program in the Boston Public Schools and was a 2011 recipient of the Boston Partners in Education Joyna Bozzotto award in recognition of his dedication to volunteerism through more than ten years of participation in the Power Lunch Reading Program. He currently is an alumni admissions volunteer for Colgate University and serves as President’s Club Chair for the Colgate Annual Fund Drive, as well as Class Agent and reunion committee representative for Duke Law School. From 2004-2010, he was a Trustee on the Board of the Winchester Community Music School and served as Chair of the Board during his final three years of service. He continues his involvement with the School as a member of the Advisory Committee. DiOrio also served on the Board of Visitors of Hillyer College at University of Hartford from 2012-2016.