Project Overview
Kendall Common is a transformative mixed-use development situated on the 14-acre site of the former Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge’s Kendall Square. MITIMCo acquired the property in 2016 and plans to redevelop it into a vibrant hub comprising four commercial buildings, four residential buildings with approximately 1,400 housing units, and various retail, entertainment, and community spaces .
Biogen, a global biotechnology company with deep roots in Kendall Square, has signed a 15-year lease for 580,000 square feet of office and research and development space within the first building of Kendall Common. This facility is set to serve as Biogen’s new global headquarters, consolidating its operations and fostering collaboration among its teams .
Location: 75 Broadway, Cambridge, MA
Developer: MIT Investment Management Company (MITIMCo) and BioMed Realty (Blackstone portfolio)
Anchor Tenant: Biogen Inc.
Project Type: Mixed-use development (commercial, residential, retail, community spaces)
Total Development Size: Approximately 3 million sq ft
Biogen Lease: 15-year lease for 580,000 sq ft of office and R&D space
Estimated Cost: Not publicly disclosed
Project Timeline:
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Demolition Start: Early 2025
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Completion: Scheduled for 2028
Sustainability: Designed to meet LEED Gold standards
Community Impact: Includes Biogen CoLab, a community lab and collaborative space
Construction & Demolition Timeline
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Early 2025: Demolition of four existing Volpe buildings begins.
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Spring 2026: Completion of demolition phase.
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2028: Projected opening of the first Kendall Common building, coinciding with Biogen’s 50th anniversary.
The demolition and construction efforts are part of MITIMCo’s broader plan to revitalize the Kendall Square area, enhancing its status as a global center for innovation and life sciences.
Biogen’s Role & Community Engagement
Biogen’s new headquarters will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, modern workspaces, and sustainable design elements. A key component of the facility is the Biogen CoLab, a community lab and collaborative space designed to engage students, nonprofits, and educational institutions in life sciences and healthcare initiatives .
This development underscores Biogen’s commitment to the Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem and its role in fostering innovation and talent development within the community.
Project Team
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Master Planner: Elkus Manfredi Architects, Boston, MA
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Architects: Elkus Manfredi, Boston, MA
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Engineers: Arup, Boston, MA
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Landscape Architects: Reed Hillderbrand, Cambridge, MA
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General Contractor: JMA, Wincheter, MA
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Legal Advisors: Nixon Peabody LLP, Boston, MA
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Financial Advisors: JPMorgan Chase & Co., New York, NY
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Community Engagement: MIT Community Relations Office, Cambridge, MA
Sustainability & Resilience
The development emphasizes sustainability and resilience, incorporating features such as:
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All-Electric Buildings: Four residential buildings designed to be all-electric, aiming for net-zero energy consumption.
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Blackwater Treatment Plant: An urban district-scale blackwater treatment plant to reuse all eligible building water onsite.
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Flood Resilience: Raising the finished grade of the entire 10-acre site to the 2070 100-year flood elevation.
Community Engagement & Benefits
The project has undergone extensive community engagement, including over 50 public and small group meetings and thousands of public comments over two years. The development aligns with the recommendations of the Franklin Park Action Plan and includes:
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Public Open Spaces: A large park at the corner of Third Street and Broadway, a linear park adjacent to Sixth Street/Loughrey Way, a park adjacent to the community center, and a park on Binney Street.
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Community Center: A community center to serve as a hub for local activities and events.
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Affordable Housing: A portion of the 1,400 housing units designated as affordable housing.
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Workforce Development: Programs to support workforce development and readiness.
