News

Bulfinch Expands Property Management Team & Enhances Safety Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

BOSTON, MA – June 8, 2020

The Bulfinch Companies, Inc. (Bulfinch) announces that its expanded life science property management team has been overseeing changes to safety protocols at all life science assets. This change comes amidst the COIVD-19 pandemic, as many life science and medical tenants remain at properties to research and assist with managing the coronavirus outbreak.

As many life science companies continue to operate as essential businesses during this time, it has been critical for Bulfinch to implement protocols and procedures enabling properties to remain open, while also enhancing safety precautions. Bulfinch has devised many operational changes at its properties in an effort to minimize the spread of pathogens, including: increased sanitation of public spaces, incorporating protective glass partitions for reception desks, plastic covers on elevator buttons, updated UV lighting with photo ionization in select areas, and Merv 13 air filtration in selected locations.  Moreover, Bulfinch has also implemented on-site EMTs and screening procedures to further enhance safety at all properties. 

“As our life science properties have remained open as essential businesses, Bulfinch’s commitment to, and relationships with our tenants have been critical as we plan for the future during this unprecedented time,” stated Robert Schlager, President of Bulfinch.

Bulfinch’s new life science property management team is led by Rob Brierley, VP of property management, and Laura Tower, AVP of property management. Rob and Laura have worked closely with Bulfinch’s Senior Leadership in strategic planning and operations. Brierley has more than 20 years of experience overseeing operational and property management services at leading commercial real estate firms, including Colliers International and Brookfield Properties. He is a past Chair of BOMA International, past Chair of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB), and a two-time past President of BOMA Boston. Tower brings 15 years of industry experience to the team, focusing on transitioning new acquisitions and re-developments for Bulfinch’s life science and property management team. Her life science expertise managing high profile properties for Boston Properties and Lincoln Property Management adds considerable value to Bulfinch.

Over the course of the past several months, Bulfinch has managed the continuous operation of various life science portfolio assets, including Osborn Triangle. Acquired in May 2019 by Harrison Street Real Estate Capital in partnership with Bulfinch, the three-building office and lab complex is located in the Kendall Square neighborhood of Cambridge, MA.On Friday afternoon, June 5, 2020, Governor Charles Baker visited Osborn Triangle. His visit included a tour of the headquarters at LabCentral, a shared laboratory space for high-potential life-sciences and biotech startups, where some of the 65 companies are now tackling COVID-19. In discussing the pandemic, the extensive research taking place, and the timing for additional answers surrounding the virus, the Governor stated:“Part of this is a numbers game, it’s about how many people get into the space, and how many chase it, and how many people advance the knowledge.” 

Bulfinch is the property manager for the Osborn Triangle complex, which spans three buildings: 610 Main St. North, 1 Portland St. and 700 Main St for a combined 667,000 square feet, alongside a 650-space parking garage. Tenants currently include Pfizer, Novartis International AG, and Lab Central. 

Additionally, Bulfinch’s new 286,000 SF lab and office building at Cambridge Discovery Park (CDP) recently opened in Q1 2020. Building 400-500 is the latest lab and office development in the Alewife life science cluster and joins three existing lab and office buildings on CDP’s campus, which Bulfinch owns and operates. The property is 88% leased, with 32,253 SF of remaining availability on the sixth floor (in addition to 1,292 SF of first floor chemical storage). At CDP, the Bulfinch Property Management team has been working closely with tenants to ensure a safe and organized move-in process during pandemic. Tenants FogPharma, LifeMine Therapeutics, Arbor Biotechnologies, and Simcere Innovation Inc. have all moved into building 400-500 at Cambridge Discovery park since January, and Kintai Therapeutics is slated to move in during June.

Bulfinch is committed to expanding its portfolio to include additional life science and medical assets, and will continueto work towards the company’s mission, Discover + Deliver, utilizing agility, passion and creativity and collaborating with tenants and investors to create exceptional workplaces.