Built in 1944, 15 Winter Street in Cambridge, MA was a building needing upgrades to appeal and function adequately for future potential tenants.

Margulies Perruzzi worked closely with the building owner, East Cambridge Company, OPM, Building Operations, Consulting Engineers, SED Associates Corp, and Structural Engineers, H+O to update the exterior, creating a modernized appearance and strong street presence. Additionally, interior design services were provided for speculative suites that could accommodate one or two tenants.

MP was tasked with completing this building upgrade within an efficient timeframe. The team achieved the project goals, delivering a modernized building with residential design influences. It is an ideal workspace in East Cambridge for a creative company or a growing startup.

MP was engaged to provide a feasibility study for converting two buildings into multi-tenant facilities for R&D and light manufacturing companies. The site is currently two separate, 80’s era, partially vacant, two-story office buildings totaling approximately 154,000 SF.

To accommodate repositioning the buildings for light manufacturing, the strategy involved removing portions of the second-floor concrete slab and reinforcing the existing columns to create a two-story space that could house manufacturing equipment, racking and storage, process equipment, and other features common to manufacturing and maker space tenants. Options for single and multi-tenant demising were explored in several fit plan scenarios as well as sweeping, but cost-effective solutions for rebranding the dated façade and fenestration, including the adjacent landscape and hardscape.

MP was brought on by IQHQ for this building repositioning project which includes upgrades to the building infrastructure to enable demolition of the adjacent building, as well as core and shell upgrades to the first and second floors at 20 Overland Street. The scope of work includes converting the existing office building to support life sciences labs and offices.

MP partnered with BR+A to provide a new shaft space from first floor to the new rooftop equipment, new dunnage at the roof for a new lab emergency power generator with fuel oil storage in the basement, a new lab air-handling unit, and cold and warm shell coordination.

Upgrades were also made to the lobbies and entrances at both the Overland and Burlington Street building entrances to entice more foot traffic in front of the building and to connect with the future public circulation.

On the first and second floors, MP is providing design services for a 40,000 SF interior fit-out for a life sciences tenant with a 60/40 lab/office split. A connection between the lab and office is supported by glass walls, allowing a clear visual into the lab from the office. In addition, the fifth-floor space will be built out as another 10,000 SF lab and office space.

 

Margulies Perruzzi worked with Campanelli Companies to reposition Upland Road to appeal to tenants within the Route 128 South marketplace.

MP’s design includes 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 a community for tenants.

The large floor plates and exposed high ceilings provide tenants with open, flexible, and brightly lit spaces and can accommodate companies starting at 11,000 square feet. Multiple new exterior entrances provide convenient access to parking. 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.

National Development engaged Margulies Perruzzi to provide space planning and interior design services to reposition the single user office building to meet the demands of today’s tenants.

Built in 1997, the three-story 100 Crossing Boulevard required an updated look and modern amenities to reposition it as a high-quality multi-tenant building. To create an open and brighter space upon entry, MP redesigned the two-story lobby with new lighting, flooring, and glass handrails along the stair and mezzanine.

Artwork and casual seating provide an intimate lobby nook for conversation along the window line. The updated ground floor includes a new food service area with seating, a conference center, and a fitness center with locker rooms. A redesigned landscaped front walk and an outdoor patio with seasonal seating enhance the exterior main entrance for both tenants and visitors.

MP designed the new common-use food service area to accommodate a diverse mix of lunch choices from acclaimed local restaurants.

Sustainability

This project is certified LEED-Gold.

Re-named “Northwoods,” 1301 Atwood Avenue is owned by Hobbs Brook Real Estate and located on a 150-acre campus. Margulies Perruzzi developed this campus masterplan to eventually accommodate an additional 100,000 square foot building plus 50,000 square feet of retail and residential use.

Formerly occupied as headquarters for FM Global and originally built in 1972, the structure consists mostly of pre-stressed concrete beams that clear-span approximately fifty feet in each direction. The result is a unique combination of open space in large floorplates with a high percentage of perimeter glass.

Aside from the concrete structure, virtually all aspects of the building are now new. MP designed 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. The building achieved LEED Gold certification as all aspects of the materials, systems, landscape, and operations were designed sustainably.

As part of the repositioning of the structure to a multi-tenant building, MP designed three independent entrances, allowing for single or multi-tenant occupancy. The two-story entrances create inviting, convenient access via elegant monumental stairs.

Part of the facility’s appeal is the full-service cafeteria which spills out onto a landscaped deck overlooking expansive lawns and a nearby pond. The development also offers a shared 150-person conference center and gym.

MP subsequently provided interior architectural design services to Dassault Systèmes which occupies 90,000 square feet in the building.

Sustainability

This project is certified LEED-Gold.

Margulies Perruzzi led the design effort to renovate this 1960s-era, three-story, brick masonry office/lab building in Waltham, MA. Part of the Hobbs Brook Management campus along 610N Lincoln Street was repositioned as an office building to meet the needs of the growing suburban office market along Route 128, and to realize continued service from this aging but otherwise quality structure.

As part of the repositioning effort, the building underwent a variety of aesthetic and energy efficiency upgrades, which served to enhance its marketability. A new, landscaped entrance walkway and glass-enclosed structure better defines the main point-of-entry and adds visual interest to the existing red brick exterior façade. A new two-story lobby with contemporary finishes, lighting, and architecture adds spaciousness and drama upon arrival. The expanded and repositioned toilet room core results in better floor plate efficiency and more tenant perimeter wall area.

In order to improve energy performance, the building electrical and mechanical systems were completely replaced. The existing single-pane bronze glazing was replaced throughout with clear, energy-efficient insulating glass units. Upgrades to the building’s existing thermal insulation and roof systems completed the transformation of the existing building envelope and contributed to attaining a LEED Gold certification for this core/shell renovation – exceeding the original goal of LEED Silver.

Inside, locker rooms and shower facilities were added as a key tenant amenity along with modern elevators and sustainable finishes throughout. Seeking to add further efficiency to the building’s footprint, the existing mechanical system was not only replaced, but also repositioned from the perimeter of the ground floor to the roof, resulting in over 2,000 square feet of additional tenant area.

Margulies Perruzzi worked with DWS and CBRE to design a modern face to this well-known medical office building by creating new rentable tenant space, activating the rear courtyard, and repositioning the lobby.

MP redefined the entry by extending the first-floor space, including potential for a new retail tenant, to engage with the public sidewalk and streetscape. This expansion created a new, welcoming, light-filled lobby with updated amenities and a concierge/security desk. The redesigned lobby improves circulation and access to the tower above while improving visibility from the security desk to both entry and drop off locations. Existing elevators were renovated to improve access from the garage level to individual tenant floors while reducing elevator wait times.

Improved accessibility includes new at-grade entry locations and a renovated existing rear plaza to create a covered drop-off location for patients and visitors. The heavily-used garage level entrance has a new vestibule and front door for patients and tenants, providing a comfortable waiting area for visitors. The project team partnered with the City of Boston to re-design sidewalks, bringing them into compliance with applicable accessibility codes.

The project required an amendment to Planned Development Area #7; MP worked closely with the Boston Public Development Agency (BPDA) and various West End neighborhood associations to build support. The project received approvals from the BPDA Board and Boston Zoning Commission.

Campanelli Companies commissioned Margulies Perruzzi to provide design services for the repositioning of this real estate asset. Built in 1982, the building required a significant update. MP lead the design strategy for improvements to the building’s exterior and interior.

The exterior work involved repositioning the front access point to a more accommodating area of the building and redesigning two entries in a more current and inviting manner. Other work on the exterior involved a redesign to the ninth floor window envelope to remove an outdated detail and replace it with a more modern design. The exterior building envelope color was also updated.

The interior scope includes a complete redesign of the building lobby, a new contemporary urban café, and a fitness center. MP also updated the materials in the existing conference center and in all core building components on upper floors such as elevator lobbies, toilet rooms and common spaces.

After completing the repositioning of Heritage Two in 2014, Margulies Perruzzi returned to help Campanelli Companies create a “building twin” to complement the Heritage Landing collection. MP’s design for Heritage One brings the same energized feel to the refreshed common spaces but gives Heritage One its own distinct style and identity.

Updated common spaces, including the front and back entry lobby, the elevator bay, and the café space, engage building occupants and give them a place to gather. A grab-and-go style dining area and a coffee bar provide an enticing amenity to distinguish the suburban space and attract potential tenants. The café space was strategically designed to convert into a full servery in the future (if needed) with minimal renovation.