The Bulfinch Companies: Service, Entrepreneurial Spirit and Sense of Family

The Bulfinch Companies receives the 2021 Owner and Developer of the Year Award

BOSTON- The Bulfinch Companies, Inc. 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 close to $3 billion in assets, Bulfinch has built a reputation for identifying opportunities and creating valuable and coveted properties across many industries. Bulfinch owns and manages over 3.5 million square feet of life science, medical and office space.

At the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak in March of 2020, Bulfinch’s team quickly pivoted and began exploring and implementing new strategies to not only keep their team safe, healthy, and engaged, but also their tenants safe, healthy, and engaged. Their strategy was designed to provide 360-degree employee support and ensure that the team—and tenants—had access to the best-in-class technologies and resources to continue business operations uninterrupted.

Since 2019, Bulfinch’s property management team has also grown substantially and has more than doubled in size. The team growth is part of the company’s strategic plan of expanding its portfolio to include additional life science and medical assets. With a large percentage of life science properties and tenants that were identified as essential businesses during the pandemic, it has been critical for Bulfinch to implement protocols and procedures that allow its properties to remain open, while also enhancing safety precautions.

Properties of note for Bulfinch include:

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  Cambridge Discovery Park, Building 400-500 (286,000 SF): Cambridge Discovery Park’s new 286,000 SF lab and office building opened in Q1 2020. Building 400-500 is the latest Class A lab, R&D and office development in the Alewife life science cluster. The LEED Gold Certified, six-story building is 88% leased, and designed for complete end user flexibility with floor to ceiling windows and energy efficient systems. Tenants enjoy superior views of the park and unobstructed views of Cambridge and Boston, and ground floor amenities include a state-of-the-art café and fitness center which complement the existing park amenities including the AC Marriott boutique hotel with a restaurant and bar, existing café and fitness, blue bikes, outdoor gathering space and walking trails. The development also includes a new garage adjacent to the building for 380 vehicles.

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  117 Kendrick Street (213,000 SF): 117 Kendrick Street is a 213,000 SF lab and office building in the N-Squared Innovation District, Newton/Needham’s innovation hub and home to some of the nation’s fastest growing and well-known innovation companies such as Trip Advisor, Shark/Ninja, Big Belly Solar, Turbine, and PTC. Ideally situated in Needham Crossing, the property’s location is easily accessible via Route 128/I-95 and is adjacent to the 700-acre Cutler Lake Reservation, with numerous walking and jogging trails. With shuttle service to the Needham MBTA green line, free and dedicated parking, a full-service cafeteria and a fully equipped fitness center, the property’s recent upgrades include a newly renovated café/lounge, lobbies and outdoor space to enhance the tenant experience.

Bulfinch was founded on a commitment to their stakeholders and the culture of the firm that began nearly 100 years ago embodies the exceptional level of service, entrepreneurial spirt and sense of family the company represents today. With more than $3 billion in assets, Bulfinch strives to discover and deliver leading solutions to address the needs of their tenants, partners and team. Bulfinch remains dedicated to creating environments that will not only contribute to Boston’s ground-breaking research and discovery but also enhance its neighborhoods and communities.

The firm is led by brothers Eric D. Schlager, who serves as CEO of the company, and Robert A. Schlager, President of the Bulfinch Companies. As CEO, Eric oversees strategy, acquisitions, asset management, finance and general oversight of the company. With over 30 years of experience in real estate, Eric has helped Bulfinch emerge as one of Greater Boston’s leading commercial real estate firms by delivering on the company’s “vision to value” mission through innovative investment and acquisition strategies. He is a passionate supporter and advocate of several philanthropic organizations and actively involved with numerous business and civic organizations. With more than four decades of expertise in the real estate industry, Robert directs and overseas the development, construction, leasing and property management activities for all Bulfinch assets. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for developing and managing more than 7 million square feet of commercial space. Robert is an avid supporter of many charitable organizations in the real estate industry and his community.

The Bulfinch Companies received the 2021 Owner and Developer of the Year Award at the Boston Real Estate Times Excellence Awards on October 29 in a virtual ceremony via Zoom. To see a recording of the ceremony, click here to watch.