I’ve always thought of Boston as one of the nation’s most dynamic and beautiful cities, but I’ve never considered it that “cool.”
For many years, hip residential addresses and hot destinations in the city were rare. Now, they are on nearly every downtown block. At the same time, new state-of-the-art office buildings are coming online to accommodate companies’ desires to grow and innovate in this world-class city.
Cities are constantly changing, and Boston is no exception. The intellectual capital that exists here, combined with its rich history, makes Boston ideal for business growth – and growth means more offices. Regardless of the city, Skanska has found that, when leases are up, companies are finding it easier to move to new, contemporary office spaces tailored to their needs, rather than staying in older, more limited spaces designed around outdated workplace models.
That’s why we aim to create spaces that appeal to what the market wants most: efficiency, convenience, a great neighborhood and something “cool” that goes above and beyond for our tenants, their employees and institutional investors.
Designing Efficient Spaces
Tenants should use every inch of the space they lease; otherwise, they are losing capital.
Charlie Leatherbee
Think about the traditional, large conference rooms found in many offices. Some are so large that they need to be used for about 50 hours a week to make financial sense. Yet, most are typically used for just a few hours a day, making them a significant waste of space and money.
Many of our office developments – including our latest, 121 Seaport – have flexible conference and events facilities with outdoor access to accommodate corporate gatherings. This maximizes the amount of productive square feet within a tenant space and minimizes the need for a large conference room, ultimately increasing the number of employees that a space can accommodate.
On-site amenities provide a company’s employees with options for a balanced and productive day within their office building. Gyms, dry cleaning and terraces are now standard in many buildings.
Why Don’t We Step Outside?
All our developments in Boston incorporate outdoor space that tenants can access from within. At 121 Seaport, for example, tenants can even customize their interiors and build out their own outdoor terraces with panoramic views of the city because of the building’s distinctive, elliptical shape. The building also offers tenants Hubway, bike storage, a gym that rivals world-class fitness centers, 24/7 hotel-style concierge and two floors of prime retail.
Neighborhood Matters
Whether it’s the bustling Seaport District or the rebirth of The Fenway, Skanska has developed communities so people can get what they need and have things to do.
The Seaport neighborhood’s proximity to transit, the airport and the waterfront allows residents to explore the city via the Harborwalk, or by walking to South Station or the MBTA’s Silver Line. Celebrity chefs, world-class hotels and boutique designers are making the Seaport District their location of choice. The area is becoming a wellness capital with Equinox and SoulCycle, and with healthy eateries like Juice Press and Sweetgreen. Local parks have become havens for top trainers to host pop-up fitness classes.
We’re developing our second multifamily tower, The Harlo, in The Fenway. Embodying Boston’s eclectic culture, The Fenway is home to an array of leading institutions, museums, sporting venues and green spaces, as well as convenient retail and public transportation via the MBTA’s Green Line and the Yawkey commuter rail station. Tatte Bakery & Café and Oath Craft Pizza, which will open on The Harlo’s ground floor this fall, add to the neighborhood’s impressive list of restaurants.
These “new” neighborhoods are thriving and sought after because of the many residential, recreational and retail options that residents, workers and visitors benefit from every day.
About That ‘Cool’ Factor
The “cool” factor may be the most important and the hardest to quantify; yet, it is an opportunity for developers to distinguish themselves. Is “cool” created by a standout amenity like a rooftop running track? An innovative partnership with a car company, like the Porsche apartments in Miami? Or an unexpected design element, like an elliptical-shaped office building?
We know that people will race to experience “cool.” Developers must keep pushing to keep up.
When developers create new spaces with efficiency, convenience, neighborhood and cool in mind, they will consistently exceed tenant expectations.
Charley Leatherbee is executive vice president of Skanska USA Commercial Development, which has developed more than 1.5 million square feet office and multifamily projects in Boston since 2013.
