Gilbane Begins Construction Phase Activities at 60 First Street in Cambridge

By David Lemon.
Updated Jan 31, 2022

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (PRWEB) January 31, 2022 - Gilbane Building Company, a leading builder of life sciences and commercial facilities in Massachusetts, has begun construction phase activities for the 224,000-SF build out and expansion project at the former Sears building at the Cambridgeside Galleria. This reimagined facility offers Class A lab and office space in the East Cambridge, Kendall neighborhood.

This complex expansion project involves the removal of the top floor and roof structure of the existing building and the addition of three new floors, all while structurally reinforcing the existing steel frame to accommodate the new building loads. A new fifth-floor balcony will overlook a garden with water features and pedestrian walkways in front of the mall below.

A two-story penthouse with architectural louver features to conceal all mechanical equipment will be added to the roof to reduce sound transmissions. Further adding to the complexity of this project is its highly congested location; all construction is taking place next to an operational shopping mall.

Were thrilled to be the builder of this cutting-edge project and be part of the team to deliver the vision for the new Cambridgeside, said Mike OBrien, senior vice president and business unit leader for Gilbane in Massachusetts. This new facility is raising the bar for the conversion of retail space to Class A mixed-use office and lab space, setting the stage for tomorrows innovations to become reality.

60 First Street was acquired by the development team Northwood Investors and Anchor Line Partners in 2017. The expansion project is scheduled for completion by early 2023.

Learn more at https://60firstcambridge.com/

About Gilbane Building Company Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build and facility management services for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has 46 office locations around the world. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com.

About Anchor Line Partners Anchor Line Partners, LLC is a Boston-based investment firm focused on core plus, value add and opportunistic investment opportunities in the commercial real estate sector. Since being co-founded in 2013 by Brian Chaisson and Andrew Maher, Anchor Line Partners has acquired over four million square feet of office buildings located in greater Boston. The co-founders bring over 50+ years of combined investment, operating and leasing experience to the company. Prior to founding Anchor Line Partners, Mr. Chaisson and Mr. Maher led the Boston operations of Tishman Speyer and Equity Office/Blackstone, respectively.

About Northwood Investors Northwood is a privately-owned, employee-held registered investment advisor that was founded in 2006 by John Z. Kukral, former President and CEO of Blackstone Real Estate Advisors. Northwood employs a fundamental, value-driven investment strategy, pursuing attractive risk-adjusted returns while limiting downside risk. Northwood invests alongside institutional and private clients in a broad range of real estate and real estate-related investment opportunities across the US and Europe, with more than $8 billion of assets under management as of December 2020. The Northwood team has deep experience in sourcing, executing and managing real estate transactions worldwide, ranging from office buildings and shopping centers to hotels and residential investments.