BURLINGTON, MA — The mystery surrounding the recent sale of a prominent suburban life sciences facility has officially been solved.
Northeastern University has been revealed as the buyer of the Burlington BioCenter, a state-of-the-art, 109,000-square-foot life sciences building at 4 Burlington Woods Drive. The university paid $33 million for the facility, according to Boston Business Journal, marking a bold step in the school’s growing commitment to research and innovation beyond its urban Boston campus.
As Boston Real Estate Times previously reported, the transaction was brokered by Newmark’s Capital Markets team, led by Robert Griffin, Edward Maher, Matthew Pullen, James Tribble, Samantha Hallowell, William Sleeper, and analyst Grady Zink. The sale to an “undisclosed owner-user” is now confirmed to be part of Northeastern’s strategic expansion.
“Burlington BioCenter stands alone in the Burlington submarket for its turnkey laboratory infrastructure and modern, full-floor buildouts,” said Newmark Vice Chairman Matthew Pullen. “In a region where many life science buildings remain in shell condition, this asset is truly differentiated by its cutting-edge systems and immediate occupancy potential.”
A New Chapter in Northeastern’s Research Expansion
Located just over a mile from the university’s existing Burlington campus — home to the George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security — the BioCenter further cements Northeastern’s footprint in the region. The facility will support homeland security and defense research, areas where the university continues to build global leadership.
“Focused primarily on homeland security and defense research, Northeastern’s expanding Burlington campus is a critical piece of the university’s global research enterprise,” said Northeastern spokeswoman Renata Nyul to the Boston Business Journal. “The new building will expand the footprint and capabilities of our world-class faculty researchers.”
Completed in 2019 with cutting-edge lab buildouts finalized in 2022, the Burlington BioCenter is one of the few fully operational life science facilities in the area. Its high-performance lab infrastructure includes pH neutralization systems, backup power, high-efficiency HVAC, a freight elevator, and a striking two-story glass lobby. The property’s strategic location near I-95/Route 128 and Route 3 places it within Greater Boston’s rapidly growing suburban biotech corridor.
Doubling Down on Innovation
Northeastern’s acquisition is part of a broader expansion strategy. In Boston, the university is planning to replace the historic Matthews Arena with a new multipurpose facility, and it recently secured approval for a 23-story residential tower on Columbus Avenue. Additionally, part of the Back Bay’s Sheraton hotel is being converted into student housing.
With its new Burlington acquisition, Northeastern gains more than just space — it secures a launchpad for cutting-edge research and a symbol of its long-term vision.
