BOSTON– Related Beal celebrated the topping out of Leiden Center II (LCII) at Innovation Square, a 345,000-square-foot state-of-the-art life science development located in Boston’s Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (RLFMP). The building, which will be fully occupied by Vertex Pharmaceuticals upon its completion, marks a major milestone for one of Boston’s most significant biotech projects this year.
LCII, formally known as the Jeffrey Leiden Center for Biologics, Cell and Genetic Therapies II, will be the third building in the RLFMP developed by Related Beal and the second to be fully occupied by Vertex. The building will join Leiden Center I to form the Leiden Campus, completing Innovation Square and creating a new life sciences hub in Boston.
“LCII at Innovation Square is an example of what’s possible when creative vision meets partnership,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Not only will this building lengthen our lead in life sciences, but it’ll support our state’s economic growth by creating hundreds of jobs. We’re proud to support this project, especially as it will lead to groundbreaking research that will cure disease and transform medicine.”
“We would not be here today without incredible partnership at the city, state, and local level, and the hundreds of construction workers who have been here day in and day out bringing this project to life,” said Kimberly Sherman Stamler, President of Related Beal. “Boston will only continue to grow if we build and invest in its future, and this development will not only support the life-changing research by Vertex but will also contribute to our greater economic growth and opportunity.”
“With Vertex and their life changing research as the anchor, LCII at Innovation Square will be a model for responsible, sustainable development that will greatly benefit the community and the growing life sciences industry,” said Stephen Faber, Executive Vice President of Related Beal. “We are grateful to the entire team, especially the hardworking construction workers, that brought this cutting-edge property to life.”
“The new Leiden Center II will not only be a place for world-class innovation, but also an investment in our unique research and development strategy which is focused on transforming the lives of people with serious diseases like sickle cell disease and type 1 diabetes,” said Charlie Wagner, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
“Members of the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions are proud to play a role in bringing Related Beal’s transformative Innovation Square life science development to fruition,” said Chaton Green, Business Agent of the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions (GBBTU). “This project not only advances critical research but also expands Boston’s construction footprint — creating career opportunities that reflect skill, dedication, and professionalism of our Union workforce.”
“Leiden Center II is the result of a major collaborative effort between the City of Boston, Related Beal, and Vertex to bring meaningful, sustainable development to the Eastern Seaport and continue the growth of our city and our robust life science industry,” said Ruthzee Louijeune, President of the Boston City Council. “The life-saving research Vertex will conduct at Leiden Center II is critical to protecting Boston residents and patients across the world, and we are proud that they have chosen our city to continue their growth.”
Over 50% of the consultant team on LCII is comprised of minority- or women-owned businesses. Ownership partners BREIF and Basis Investment Group are working to provide BIPOC with investment access to transformative projects in established markets.
The project also features a strategic partnership with the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI), which will receive a custom laboratory at no cost to expand its vocational education programs in Boston. Additional public benefits include support for the Boston Fisheries Foundation, No Books No Ball basketball program, and tutoring organization PieRSquared.
Leiden Center II will be Boston’s first LEED Platinum and Zero Carbon life science building. Sustainable features include high-performance envelope design, heat pump technologies, rooftop photovoltaics, and reduced embodied carbon via whole building life cycle assessment.
The ownership group for the project includes Related Beal, Vertex, Boston Real Estate Inclusion Fund (BREIF), Kavanagh Advisory Group, and Mitsui Fudosan America. Construction is managed by Related Beal Construction, Consigli Construction, and Janey Construction Management. Completion is expected in early 2027.
