BOSTON – July 27, 2016 – Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA), one of Boston’s most innovative architectural and interior design firms, announced today that it was selected by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce to design its new office at 265 Franklin Street in Boston. The Chamber is moving from its current location on Floor 12 of 265 Franklin to Floor 17. While remaining in the same building, the new premises will allow the Chamber to better serve its member companies and create its vision for the future.
“At the Chamber, our membership is more dynamic, innovative, and focused on the strength of the collective greater Boston business community than ever before,” said James E. Rooney, president and CEO of The Chamber. “We want our new office space to be reflective of the Chamber’s work today, and of our vision for the future of our organization. Margulies Perruzzi Architects demonstrated their ability to understand that vision, and make our new office space reflective of who we are and how we want to serve our growing membership.”
MPA provided programming and fit-plans for several locations, and assisted The Chamber in the selection of the Floor 17 space. MPA will also design the new offices, which will feature a new conference center, member space, and workspace for The Chamber’s 30 staff. The Chamber hopes to move to its new location by February 2017.
About the Greater Boston Chamber
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is the region’s leading business association connecting 1,500 businesses of all sizes from virtually every industry and profession. We help Greater Boston-area businesses grow and succeed through strategic networking events, influential business advocacy, exclusive leadership development programs, and initiatives that foster the region’s innovation economy. For more information, visit www.bostonchamber.com.
About Margulies Perruzzi Architects
Consistently ranked as one of Boston’s top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and interiors for clients who value the quality of their workplace. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, science/technology, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. MPA has designed high performance workspace for Iron Mountain, Zipcar, Boston Scientific, Philips, Cimpress/Vistaprint, Forrester Research, Hobbs Brook Management, and Reliant Medical Group. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.
Media Contact:
Michele Spiewak
Rhino PR
617.851.2618
MPArchitects@rhinopr.com
Photo by Frank Monkiewicz.
Video and social media promotion are key to design firm’s strategic marketing efforts.
BOSTON – June 16, 2016 – Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA), one of Boston’s most innovative architectural and interior design firms, today announced that the firm was honored with a 2016 Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Boston Award. MPA received the first place honor in the Holiday Digital Piece category for its 2015 holiday video entitled “Snowbound at MPA.” The award marks the firm’s ninth SMPS Boston award since 2007. The firm has also won three SMPS National awards.
MPA’s focus on video is part of the firm’s marketing strategy to promote client projects in the clients’ own words and convey the firm’s design approach and company culture as a great place to work. Since 2010, MPA has produced and posted videos promoting a variety of client projects and company activities, and in 2012, started its holiday video tradition replacing the paper card mailing. Combined with the firm’s forward-thinking approach to social media, video production has been a unique and entertaining way to communicate its message of designing exceptional workplaces for clients.
MPA’s goal for its 2015 holiday video, “Snowbound at MPA,” was to spread holiday cheer and use the video as part of the firm’s client retention and lead generation strategy. Based on its previous holiday videos, MPA knew that the most engaging videos were those with fun, story-based messages. A staff brainstorming session yielded two ideas: a movie trailer that would be the right length and pacing to capture interest online and the concept of being snowed in the office. The final concept combined these ideas to create the “Snowbound at MPA” movie trailer. MPA’s marketing team then collaborated with Good Life Productions on the production of this video. MPA received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from clients. The supporting social media blitz garnered a substantial increase in online impressions, and resulted in the hire of two new employees.
The Holiday Digital Piece category recognizes a one-time celebratory piece produced for a specific holiday. The judges found MPA’s holiday video to be a “really creative story-like video that makes you watch from start to finish. 35% click rate?! Unbelievable – the results speak for themselves.” MPA’s 2015 holiday video may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LcU6JTtcEw.
“It is extremely gratifying to be honored by a jury of our peers in the SMPS Boston Chapter,” said Marc Margulies, FAIA, LEED AP, principal and senior partner at Margulies Perruzzi Architects. “The holiday video truly captures the personality of our firm. It helps in our recruitment efforts by illustrating what a great place MPA is to work, and shows our clients that we are more than just corporate project teams: we are fun and creative individuals. I’m proud of our marketing team for producing such a fun and highly-lauded quality piece on behalf of MPA.”
In 2014, MPA was honored with three SMPS Boston Recognizing Outstanding Communications (ROC) awards, receiving an honorable mention in the Integrated Marketing Campaign category, the first place honor in the Holiday Piece category, and the People’s Choice award. In previous SMPS Boston Awards, MPA achieved a first place honor in the Target Market category in 2012, and a first place honor in the Target Market category and the Best in Show Award in 2011. The firm also won second place in the Holiday category in 2008, and first place in the Alternative Media category in 2007. Additionally, at SMPS National in 2014, MPA received a first place honor in the Holiday Digital Piece category, and a second place honor in the Special Event category. MPA achieved a first place honor at SMPS National in 2013 in the Video category.
About Margulies Perruzzi Architects
Consistently ranked as one of Boston’s top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and interiors for clients who value the quality of their workplace. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, science/technology, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. MPA has designed high performance workspace for Iron Mountain, Zipcar, Boston Scientific, Philips, Cimpress/Vistaprint, Forrester Research, Hobbs Brook Management, and Reliant Medical Group. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.
Media Contact:
Michele Spiewak
Rhino PR
617.851.2618
MPArchitects@rhinopr.com
Design strategy creates upscale and amenity-rich Class A office building in Boston suburb
BOSTON – May 17, 2016 – Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA), one of Boston’s most innovative architectural and interior design firms, announced that it has been selected to revitalize and reposition UPLAND in Norwood, Massachusetts for Campanelli, a full-service commercial real estate development, acquisition and construction management company. Campanelli engaged MPA to work with their design, leasing and construction teams to develop a comprehensive strategy for improvements to the 193,000 SF Class A office building that was formerly known as Upland Woods Building 100.
“You can count on one hand the number of options of brand-new Class A product currently available in the Route 128 South market. We will be best option in this submarket and provide great value for companies being priced out of the Burlington/Waltham area,” explained Steve Murphy, partner and principal of acquisitions at Campanelli. “Leveraging our successful partnership from the similar repositioning of three buildings at Heritage Landing in North Quincy, MPA worked collaboratively with us to significantly transform UPLAND and give it a strong position in the Route 128 South market.”
MPA and Campanelli started the design process with a careful analysis of market demand in order to design a uniquely attractive asset that appeals to both established and growing companies. Inside, MPA created a dramatic amenity street that connects the new east and west entries and offers all tenants access to the new, two-story sky lit atrium. This central street with storefront-style tenant entrances is dotted with impromptu gathering spaces to create community for tenants. UPLAND’s large floor plates and exposed high ceilings provide tenants with open, flexible and brightly lit spaces and accommodate companies starting at 11,000 SF. Multiple new exterior entrances provide convenient access to parking, and new landscaped areas offer tenants seating space for outdoor meetings. A former Polaroid manufacturing center, UPLAND’s dramatic revitalization includes a new full-service café, a best-in-market fitness center with a virtual ride instruction spin studio, conference facilities, and a gaming area with foosball, ping pong tables and shuffleboard.
Located directly off I-95, UPLAND is at the epicenter of the region’s leading amenity hubs, including Legacy Place and University Station. A true live-work-play environment, the campus includes One Upland, a newly-developed, 262-unit luxury apartment community, and is within minutes of the Route 128 MBTA commuter rail and Amtrak train station. Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is the exclusive leasing agent for UPLAND. The project is expected to be complete in September 2016. A fly-through video of UPLAND may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQjpxGvw2tc.
About Margulies Perruzzi Architects
Consistently ranked as one of Boston’s top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and interiors for clients who value the quality of their workplace. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, science/technology, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. MPA has designed high performance workspace for Iron Mountain, Zipcar, Boston Scientific, Philips, Cimpress/Vistaprint, Forrester Research, Hobbs Brook Management, and Reliant Medical Group. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.
About Campanelli
Established in 1947, Campanelli is a third generation, full-service commercial real estate development and acquisition company with extensive experience in the industrial, office, medical office, warehouse/distribution, retail, educational and cold storage markets. Campanelli began building homes during WWII and transitioned from residential to commercial real estate in the 1960’s. The team, known for their seamless ability to work with their clients and act as the “real estate division” of a company, has developed 11 business parks in Massachusetts, over 20 million square feet across the nation and provided international development consulting and site selection services. The company’s signature capabilities include land development, design and build, redevelopment and value-added acquisitions. It is Campanelli’s all-encompassing and quality services that have led to its successful track record as a highly-regarded developer; from site selection, feasibility analysis, local, state and federal permitting, to architectural and engineering design, building construction and facilities and property management. For more information, visit our new website at Campanelli.com.
Media Contact:
Michele Spiewak
Rhino PR
617.851.2618
MPArchitects@rhinopr.com
By Rui Miguel Ribeiro.
May 13, 2016 – The MPA competition team is a fluid, flexible collection of people that want to keep expanding our design experience and building stronger relationships within the office. By entering competitions, we can work on project types we don’t typically get to – with people we don’t necessarily work with every day. The Northern Avenue Bridge Ideas competition immediately generated buzz around the office because everyone was familiar with the project and its history.
We started as a large group in our discussions and even took advantage of the warm weather to go visit the existing bridge at lunch time. Eventually, the team became Kelsey Bridge, John Greene, Josh LaBeau, Jon Neal, and me. At first, we each came up with our own ideas and presented to them to each other. While all very different on the surface, we identified the partial reuse of the existing bridge and connection to the water as common features that were important to us all. Through a few 3d models, sketches, and late nights, we simplified our concept and form into our final submission.
Using the existing bridge as inspiration, we began to focus on the central node as a historical center piece and decided to create a passive gallery around it. The lookout extends from there to provide additional views of the harbor and a timeline displaying the history of the Boston skyline. Lastly, we proposed an invitation of artists to reuse nonstructural portions of the existing bridge to populate a public sculpture garden that extends the length of the bridge. Over and around these programs is a continuous circulation path that provides connections between the greenway, harbor walk, and Children’s Wharf Park.
Our “thesis statement” for our presentation board was as follows:
“Intertwining the connection between History, Art, Engineering this bridge works to mend the urban tissue that seems disconnected between the two districts, the seaport and downtown. The design focuses on 4 main elements: Revealing, Recalling, Reconnecting, Reusing, to create an entirely new public space.”
Our board is below – click for a larger image, or download a full sized PDF here! Or, just scroll down for inline reading.
Bridging History: Through Art + Engineering
Intertwining the connection between History, Art, Engineering this bridge works to mend the urban tissue that seems disconnected between the two districts, the seaport and downtown. The design focuses on 4 main elements: Revealing, Recalling, Reconnecting, Reusing, to create an entirely new public space.
-REVEALING. The path peels back to reveal the structure of the old bridge, the reveals form circulation and act as destination points for seating and viewing. Allowing the viewer to pause and reflect. -RECALLING. Positioned as a central focal point in the design, the drum is reminiscent of the old bridge, a void left after its removal. The circulation spirals around the drum, evoking the movement of the bridge, allowing the viewer to circumvent the drum. This works in combination with images and text recalling the engineering feature that once was. -RECONNECTING. In order to mend the existing circulation, the bridge acts as an integral connection between the Harborwalk and the Greenway. Using a mixture of Soft scape and hardscape to blend the environment of the two paths, while the bridge tiers in elevation to allow for increased accessibility along the shores. -REUSING. Repurposing what was to remain of the bridges truss system, it acts as a gateway from the historic downtown of the Boston, opening towards the constantly evolving seaport district. From what couldn’t be repurposed structurally is given to local artists to form into sculptures along the bridge path. Memorializing the materials that are interpreted into a contemporary form of art curated from the public.
History Diagram – The bridge takes a turn, hinging out from the drum, it slopes up to a viewing platform overlooking the Boston Harbor. Imprinted on the glass are a timeline of sketches that give a glimpse to the past, while remaining transparent to respect where it is today
GATEWAY – a portion of the historic Northern Avenue Bridge stands tall; repurposed as a sculptural gateway from downtown to the new bridge and reference to the scale and engineering of the time.
LOOKOUT – The lookout reaches toward the Atlantic, serving as a destination and area to view the Boston harbor both as it stands and as it has changed over the years via marked locations and etched skylines.
PATH- the connection serves as both destination and path. There are meandering and direct routes across to serve a variety of pedestrian traffic and activity, whether commuting or visiting.
GARDEN – the public space will provides a new gathering location for the expanding Seaport population as well as a sculpture park. Artists from near and far will be asked to display their sculptures made using portions of the Northern Avenue Bridge that are no longer used.
GLOW – the underside of the pedestrian bridge will light up to serve as a beacon in the channel and increase visibility. This creates a safer, more welcoming bridge that ensures this will be the preferred path to the seaport and proper extension of the greenway.
GALLERY – using the existing drum and putting the mechanics of the old bridge on display at the center, a destination is created. Here, historical drawings and information regarding Boston’s engineering history, including the Northern Avenue Bridge, will be on display on the glass walls of the passive gallery.
PORTAL- the tissue between the Fan Pier Park and the Children’s Wharf Park, the Portal continues the harbor walk and completes the Seaport waterfront. The floating level continues this connection and provides area for docking, recreation and circulation. Openings in the bridge allow light to penetrate and an aural connection to the activity above.
1301 Atwood Avenue Breathes New Life into Northwoods Office Park
BOSTON – April 7, 2016 – Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA), one of Boston’s most innovative architectural and interior design firms, announced today that it has completed the repositioning of 338,600 SF of Class A office space in Johnston, R.I. for Hobbs Brook Management LLC, a commercial property management and development firm specializing in leasing, construction and development of Class A office space. The renovation project transformed the existing 1301 Atwood Avenue facility into a high performance and amenity-rich office building, and provides for the development of the surrounding 153 acres into the new Northwoods office park.
“Our previous collaborations with MPA have resulted in several award-winning projects that allow us to provide high-quality, Class A office space to our tenants, and the revitalized 1301 Atwood office building is no exception,” said Kevin Casey, vice president of leasing and construction at Hobbs Brook Management LLC. “MPA has taken an older building and completely re-positioned it, designing a vibrant building that fits beautifully into the landscape while maintaining our high standards for sustainability and efficiency.”
MPA’s repositioning of 1301 Atwood consisted of a complete replacement of the building’s exterior and the addition of 30,000 SF to the building’s footprint by moving the external walls. Built in 1972, virtually all aspects of the building are now new, with the exception of the pre-stressed concrete beam structure. MPA used a unitized metal and glass curtain wall for the building’s envelope, providing high thermal efficiency and allowing daylight to filter deep into the building’s interior. Expected to achieve LEED Gold certification, 1301 Atwood features new energy efficient mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and recycled materials.
MPA designed the three-story building with three separate lobbies that allow for single- or multi-tenant occupancy of the building, with parking off of each access point. Each two-story entrance features abundant natural light and provides inviting and convenient access with elegant monumental stairs. Large, unobstructed floor plates look out onto the landscaped campus setting with a walking path and picturesque pond. The building features many desirable amenities, including a full-service corporate dining facility with a landscaped deck, a fitness center with showers and locker rooms, and state-of-the-art data connectivity. As an additional bonus for tenants, MPA designed a multi-use conference center with audiovisual capability that can accommodate up to 150 people.
MPA provided interior architectural design services to Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, which occupies 90,000 square feet at 1301 Atwood Avenue. MPA’s workplace strategists and designers collaborated with the Dassault Systèmes team on an innovative layout and design for Dassault Systèmes’ SIMULIA’s Global Research & Development Center. New York Life is also a tenant, occupying 26,692 SF. An additional 170,000 SF of Class A space is currently available. For more information, please visit
The project team included general contractor Dimeo Construction; MEP engineers AHA Consulting Engineers; structural engineers Odeh Engineers, Inc.; civil and landscape engineers Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB); Lighting Designer HLB Lighting Design; and kitchen consultants Colburn & Guyette. Cushman & Wakefield | Hayes & Sherry is the commercial broker representing the property.
About Hobbs Brook Management LLC
Because the most valuable thing they develop is a relationship, Hobbs Brook Management focuses its efforts on satisfying the individual needs of customers that lease within their parks. A service-oriented provider of Class A business solutions to companies large and small, Hobbs Brook builds sustainably, maintains an on-site facilities management staff, and develops or renovates projects for energy efficiency, LEED certification, and the preservation of the local environment. With portfolios in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Georgia and Illinois, Hobbs Brook offers competitive amenities, on-site catering and dining facilities, fitness centers, and a full-service conference center available to tenants and the public. Hobbs Brook enjoys a steady occupancy rate in the 90th percentile, and holds firm to the belief that tenants should feel secure, well-balanced and prevalent at work. For leasing options or additional information, please visit www.hobbsbrook.com.
About Margulies Perruzzi Architects
Consistently ranked as one of Boston’s top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and interiors for clients who value the quality of their workplace. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, science/technology, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. MPA has designed high performance workspace for Iron Mountain, Zipcar, Boston Scientific, Philips, Cimpress/Vistaprint, Forrester Research, Hobbs Brook Management, and Reliant Medical Group. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.
Media Contact:
Michele Spiewak
Rhino PR
617.851.2618
MPArchitects@rhinopr.com
Design/build team delivers new walk-in urgent care site and infusion suite in Worcester, Mass.
BOSTON – March 22, 2016 – Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA), one of Boston’s most innovative architectural and interior design firms, today announced the opening of ReadyMED PLUS, a new 14,000 SF urgent care, diagnostic imaging and infusion suite facility, for Reliant Medical Group, a multi-specialty healthcare system. Located at 366 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, Mass., ReadyMED PLUS is Reliant’s fifth walk-in medical care clinic in central Massachusetts to offer convenient, non-emergency medical services for adults and children. Having collaborated on several prior ReadyMED facilities as well as other projects, Reliant engaged MPA and Cutler Associates, an integrated design and construction management firm based in Worcester, Mass., to design/build the facility, which opens to the public on March 23.
Unique and not available at the other four ReadyMED sites, the “PLUS” at this location represents a new concept for ReadyMED: the addition of an infusion suite for a variety of needs, from hydration to antibiotics, and expanded diagnostic imaging services including CT scan, X-ray and ultrasound. The facility will also become the new home of Reliant’s Adult and Pediatric Urgent Care services.
Reliant Medical Group is an independent group of physicians with more than 300 doctors and 2,500 employees located at more than 25 practice sites throughout central and metro west Massachusetts. ReadyMED PLUS is a newly constructed building on a highly visible corner of a retail overlay district in Worcester. To promote a more active streetscape, MPA designed ReadyMED PLUS as a hub for this neighborhood, siting the building prominently on the corner and placing the parking lot for 73 cars adjacent to the building for staff and patients. Introducing an infusion suite within an urgent care center with adjacent parking provides patients with the most comfortable and convenient way to receive intravenous antibiotics and chronic-illness infusion drugs.
Based on the successful delivery model in Reliant’s other centers, the ReadyMED PLUS facility features three medical suites (urgent care, imaging, and infusion) and a large reception area with electronic self-service check-in kiosks and a concierge-style greeter for information and assistance. Reliant recognized the symbiosis of care between the three medical spaces, as urgent care patients often need several services and greater medical supervision. Reliant and MPA utilized the LEAN design process to design a welcoming, efficient clinic that optimizes space, improves operational flow, and provides a positive patient experience.
“ReadyMED PLUS is a great example of how Reliant Medical Group is committed to delivering healthcare that’s most convenient for the way people live today,” said John Duggan, vice president of real estate at Reliant Medical Group. “By co-locating and sharing resources among these three medical suites in the new ReadyMED PLUS, our staff will realize great efficiencies to provide a comfortable environment for our patients. The MPA and Cutler team has delivered another successful ReadyMED project.”
Catering to patients for simple hydration or regular infusion treatment, the infusion suite provides 10 bays in a combination of private and more open settings. The imaging suite offers readily available x-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan radiology. Lastly, the urgent care suite is divided into two pods of eight exam rooms each, with a section designated for pediatrics. While each pod can operate independently at lower volume, the interaction between the pods provides collaboration between providers during busy times. The exam rooms are set up specifically for simple surgical procedures, testing and monitoring.
Focused on patient convenience, the design concept for ReadyMED PLUS aims to demystify the relationship between the patient and the healthcare provider. This is achieved using transparency throughout the space to create a comfortable, attractive environment, while also maintaining patient privacy. MPA’s design splits the waiting area into two spaces, with one designated for healthy infusion patients only and the larger main waiting area containing a child-friendly space. A wall of glass separates the waiting area from the clinical spaces, providing patients with a glimpse of activity. The interior finishes were chosen to give the waiting area a “living room” quality.
Together, MPA and Cutler previously designed and constructed for Reliant four ReadyMED clinics in Auburn, Hudson, Milford, and Shrewsbury, Mass., as well as a 36,000 SF medical office building in Holden, Mass.
About Margulies Perruzzi Architects
Consistently ranked as one of Boston’s top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and interiors for clients who value the quality of their workplace. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, science/technology, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. MPA has designed high performance workspace for Iron Mountain, Zipcar, Boston Scientific, Philips, Cimpress/Vistaprint, Forrester Research, Hobbs Brook Management, and Reliant Medical Group. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.
About Cutler Associates, Inc.
Cutler Associates was founded in 1972 to provide value-added facility solutions to our clients. We offer comprehensive services of planning, architecture and construction, delivered in a variety of formats including construction management at risk, design build, and general contracting. From our headquarters in Worcester, MA, and satellite offices in Tampa, FL and Malvern, PA, we are experts in the Education, Senior Living, Healthcare, Corporate/Industrial, and Hospitality and Tourism markets. More information can be found on our website, at: CutlerDB.com.
About Reliant Medical Group
Reliant Medical Group, which was founded in 1929 and currently serves approximately 320,000 patients, is the largest independent, ambulatory integrated health system in the Central Massachusetts and MetroWest Regions. With over 500 providers and approximately 2,500 employees across more than 25 locations, Reliant Medical Group offers a unique collaborative approach to care that helps patients through sickness and health with compassion and a dedication to service. Reliant Medical Group opened the first of its five ReadyMED urgent care facilities in 2009. Reliant Medical Group accepts all major forms of health insurance. For more information on Reliant Medical Group, please visit us at: www.reliantmedicalgroup.org.
Media Contact:
Michele Spiewak
Rhino Public Relations
617.851.2618
MPArchitects@rhinopr.com
Margulies Perruzzi Architects repositions highly efficient, sustainable office space for single or multiple tenants seeking occupancy in Boston’s suburbs.
BOSTON – March 15, 2016 – Hobbs Brook Management LLC, a commercial property management and development firm specializing in leasing, construction and development of Class A office space, announced today that its repositioned and renovated office building at 610 Lincoln Street North in Waltham, Mass. has been certified LEED® Gold by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Designed by Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA) and located within the Hobbs Brook Office Park, 610 Lincoln Street North features flexible floor plans, on-site dining, multiple amenities, and access to the Forefront Conference Center.
Designed for single or multi-tenant occupancy, the completely renovated building features 86,169 SF of highly efficient office space on three floors, and comes with a 3.7 parking ratio and front-desk security. To open the lobby to more natural light, MPA redesigned the main entrance with a new two-story glass vestibule. An additional 6,000 SF of office space was gained by lowering the building grade and moving mechanical equipment to the roof. The sustainable upgrade of 610 Lincoln Street North includes new HVAC systems, windows, electrical systems, and fireproofing.
“We’re excited to offer this high-quality, LEED Gold office space for tenants seeking Class A amenities with convenient transportation options and on-site property management,” said Kevin Casey, vice president and chief operating officer at Hobbs Brook Management LLC. “610 Lincoln Street North is another example of our continuous commitment towards upgrading our existing portfolio to include current best practice standards, energy efficient systems and equipment, and a comfortable and productive environment for tenants. Our partnership with MPA has resulted in another sustainable LEED Gold building in the Hobbs Brook Office Park.”
Hobbs Brook Management’s devotion to sustainability is evident through project aspects that include an integrated green cleaning program, mature landscaping, high-reflection roofing, preferred parking for hybrid-vehicles, and shower facilities for bicycle commuters. The project featured a 36% water-use reduction and a 29% optimized energy performance during the design, engineering, and construction phases, with the intention of reducing energy costs to future tenants.
In addition to Margulies Perruzzi Architects, the project team includes general contractor Columbia Construction Company; landscape architect Studio 2112; MEP engineer AHA Consulting Engineers; structural engineer Souza True & Partners; civil engineer H.W. Moore Associates; and LEED consultant Entegra. Hobbs Brook Management is represented by Wyman Street Advisors.
About Hobbs Brook Management LLC
Because the most valuable thing they develop is a relationship, Hobbs Brook Management focuses its efforts on satisfying the individual needs of customers that lease within their parks. A service-oriented provider of Class A business solutions to companies large and small, Hobbs Brook builds sustainably, maintains an on-site facilities management staff, and develops or renovates projects for energy efficiency, LEED certification, and the preservation of the local environment. With portfolios in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Georgia and Illinois, Hobbs Brook offers competitive amenities, on-site catering and dining facilities, fitness centers, and a full-service conference center available to tenants and the public. Hobbs Brook enjoys a steady occupancy rate in the 90th percentile, and holds firm to the belief that tenants should feel secure, well-balanced and prevalent at work. For leasing options or additional information, please visit http://www.hobbsbrook.com.
About Margulies Perruzzi Architects
Consistently ranked as one of Boston’s top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and interiors for clients who value the quality of their workplace. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, science/technology, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. MPA has designed high performance workspace for Iron Mountain, Zipcar, Boston Scientific, Philips, Cimpress/Vistaprint, Forrester Research, Hobbs Brook Management, and Reliant Medical Group. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.
Media Contact:
Michele Spiewak
Rhino PR
617.851.2618
MPArchitects@rhinopr.com
Project team delivers new collaborative office and laboratory space in Marlborough, Mass.
BOSTON – Jan. 5, 2016 – Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA), J. Calnan & Associates, Inc. and Cresa announced today that the firms jointly provided design, construction, and transaction and project management services for the U.S. headquarters of the Health & Home segment of Helen of Troy, a global leader in branded healthcare devices and home comfort products. MPA provided interior architecture and corporate design services, J. Calnan & Associates, Inc. provided pre-construction and construction management services, and Cresa provided transaction management and project management services for the 65,000 SF interior fit-up of office and research and development laboratory space at 400 Donald Lynch Blvd. in Marlborough, Mass. The project was completed in October 2015.
Helen of Troy’s Health & Home segment is a state-of-the art, dynamically managed, leader in healthcare devices and home comfort products. The company manages a brand portfolio that includes PUR, Vicks, Honeywell, Braun, and more. The Helen of Troy Health & Home U.S. headquarters provides space for offices and workstations, a customer service call center, a conference center, showroom space, and research and development laboratories.
Having outgrown its previous space in Southborough, Mass., Helen of Troy’s Health & Home segment sought a more efficient and organized office and lab environment that would foster a greater sense of community and collaboration for its new headquarters. Health & Home’s new U.S. headquarters features an open and efficient floor plan with low-height workstations and glass-front offices that surround a core of support service spaces and collaboration areas. MPA’s design takes advantage of the building’s extensive window line to extend natural light deep into the space.
At the heart of the space, a large reception and gathering area serves as the hub of the office for employees and visitors alike. The branded reception and lounge area, with a folding glass wall to the elevators for off-hours security, welcomes visitors to the office. The reception lounge features two conference rooms that double as showrooms with product shelving and glass display cases. On the other side of reception, a café gathering space provides vending and PUR water filtration machines along with a variety of casual seating options, including tables, soft seating, and booth seating along the window line. This central gathering space features an exposed deck ceiling and polished concrete floors, and can accommodate many people for socializing or casual collaboration.
Adjacent to the reception and gathering area, MPA designed research and development and product testing laboratory space with 11 labs set up for testing product, including an acoustical testing chamber. A corridor runs in a loop through the glass-front lab area, providing a convenient visitor tour that concludes into both the gathering area and conference center. The center features three large conference rooms with movable walls that open to accommodate 200 employees for a company meeting.
“From the start of our working relationship, Helen of Troy appreciated the interactive design process, diligent project management, and tight collaboration that MPA, J. Calnan, and Cresa brought to this project,” said Jon Kosheff, President – Helen of Troy Health & Home. “The design of our new headquarters provides opportunities for interaction and collaboration in a more efficient and welcoming space for our employees and customers, and creates a vibrant workplace environment that helps to attract and retain talent. We are delighted to call this space our new home.”
Cresa’s brokerage team included John Coakley, Adam Subber and David Ross, who managed an extensive process that began in an integrated approach with Cresa project management to establish Helen of Troy’s requirements. Helen of Troy was coming off a 20-year lease and, according to Coakley, this relocation was a great opportunity for them to create a new work environment for their employees. Cresa was able to secure Helen of Troy an attractive long-term lease which included having the landlord add a new fitness center and food service to the building. Cresa’s Amy Braun and Barry Dube provided project management services, which included the planning and implementation of a collaborative and vibrant work environment to help attract and recruit talent.
The Helen of Troy project team included R.W. Sullivan for mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering, Odeh Engineers for structural engineering, and Acentech for acoustics consulting. Creative Office Pavilion provided the furniture for the project.
Owned by the Nordblom Company, 400 Donald Lynch Blvd. is a Class A office building in the Solomon Pond Office Park. The building offers a fitness center and “grab and go” kiosk in the lobby, as well as use of a cafeteria in a nearby building.
About Margulies Perruzzi Architects
Consistently ranked as one of Boston’s top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and interiors for clients who value the quality of their workplace. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, science/technology, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. MPA has designed high performance workspace for Iron Mountain, Zipcar, Boston Scientific, Philips, Cimpress/Vistaprint, Forrester Research, Hobbs Brook Management, and Reliant Medical Group. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.
About J. Calnan & Associates, Inc.
J. Calnan & Associates is a leader in providing construction management and preconstruction services in the Academic, Corporate, Healthcare and Science & Technology markets in the New England region and beyond. For over 19 years, our strategic thinking, proactive approach and commitment to clients and the communities in which we live has made us a leader in the industry and attracted high-profile clients including Boston Properties, Biogen IDEC, Atlantic Management, Children’s Hospital, PTC Inc, Adidas, Shire Pharmaceuticals, The Park School, New England Sports Network (NESN), Philips, Constant Contact, The MathWorks and General Electric to name a few. Among recent awards, JC&A has received a Boston Business Journal Citizenship award for its philanthropic efforts nine years in a row and CoreNet Global New England Chapter has recognized JC&A as “Regional Service Provider of the Year” two times. More information can be found at www.jcalnan.com.
About Cresa
Cresa, based in Boston, is the world’s largest corporate real estate advisory firm that exclusively represents tenants and occupiers, serving more than 60 markets in North America as well as more than 75 markets worldwide. Cresa specializes in the delivery of conflict-free, integrated real estate services, including: Transaction Management, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Corporate Solutions, Site Selection, Lease Administration, Capital Markets, Mission-Critical Solutions, Relocation Management, and Facilities Management. For more information, visit www.cresa.com.
About Helen of Troy
Helen of Troy Limited is a leading global consumer products company offering creative solutions for its customers through a strong portfolio of well-recognized and widely-trusted brands, including: Housewares: OXO®, Good Grips®, Soft Works®, OXO tot® and OXO Steel®; Healthcare/Home Environment: Vicks®, Braun®, Honeywell®, PUR®, Febreze®, Stinger®, Duracraft® and SoftHeat®; and Beauty: Revlon®, Vidal Sassoon®, Dr. Scholl’s®, Pro Beauty Tools®, Sure®, Pert®, Infusium23®, Brut®, Ammens®, Hot Tools®, Bed Head®, Karina®, Ogilvie® and Gold ‘N Hot®. The Nutritional Supplements segment was formed with the acquisition of Healthy Directions, a U.S. market leader in premium doctor-branded vitamins, minerals and supplements, as well as other health products sold directly to consumers. The Honeywell® trademark is used under license from Honeywell International Inc. The Vicks®, Braun®, Febreze® and Vidal Sassoon® trademarks are used under license from The Procter & Gamble Company. The Revlon® trademark is used under license from Revlon Consumer Products Corporation. The Bed Head® trademark is used under license from Unilever PLC. The Dr. Scholl’s® trademark is used under license from MSD Consumer Care, Inc.
Media Contact:
Michele Spiewak
Rhino Public Relations
617.851.2618
MPArchitects@rhinopr.com
