Cambridge’s 40 Thorndike Redevelopment Unveiled
Cambridge, MA
10/2/2024
Located in the heart of East Cambridge, the mixed-use redevelopment is the only new Class-A office headquarters opportunity in the nation’s premier tech and life science cluster while also providing 48 new inclusionary housing units.
EAST CAMBRIDGE, MA – October 2, 2024 – The partnership of Leggat McCall Properties (LMP), Granite Properties and CBRE Investment Management, joined by elected leaders and the community, today unveiled 40 Thorndike, a mixed-use office, retail, and residential redevelopment that culminates a decade of transformative architectural planning and construction of the former Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse and jail.
Formerly a property of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance, the Brutalist-designed former courthouse and jail was purchased in vacant and obsolete condition. The structure’s location on the edge of Kendall Square offered a unique conversion opportunity for revitalization and enhanced urban design with construction financing provided by Bank OZK.
Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects and constructed by John Moriarty & Associates, the 20-story building offers 422,000 square feet of Class-A office space on the upper floors as well as 48 inclusionary residential apartments at levels 2 and 3. The ground floor comprises retail, restaurant, childcare and meeting spaces with parking for 362 cars provided in the lower levels of the building and in the adjacent City garage.
40 Thorndike’s new terra cotta and glass skin complements the neighborhood at the ground level while also adding a formidable presence to the region’s skyline. The building’s exterior offers 20,000 square feet of outdoor space featuring a Zen-garden that enhances the green space and transforms the urban landscape of the City block.
The project was designed with a commitment to sustainability and wellness, achieving LEED and WELL Gold certifications. Reusing 92% of the existing structure prevented the release of ~9,500 metric tons of CO2 compared to new construction, equal to 11,511 acres of forest CO2 sequestration for 1 year.
Double-height spaces with superior views of Boston, Cambridge, and the Charles River provide exceptional daylighting while facilitating a productive work environment for future tenants.
The high-performance building envelope and green roof support an improvement in energy consumption standards of 20% over American National Standards Institute recommendations. The project has also supported a multitude of the City of Cambridge’s Green Initiatives including the funding of a solar array and 20 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at the adjacent City garage.
Art installations curated by global and local artists also add a gallery dimension of interest to the building’s interior with a lobby interactive display that interprets real-time air quality data from Cambridge.
With ease of access to public transportation and walk score of 95, the building is a 5-minute walk from the Lechmere station and 13 minutes from Kendall/MIT station. The East Cambridge location also achieves a 94-bike score for practical commuting, with the building providing 130 indoor bike spaces and close access to project funded BlueBikes stations for additional health and wellness.
To support the community and City’s goals of reactivating the extended neighborhood block, the redevelopment included the complete renovation of 9,000 square feet of long vacant retail space along First Street at the adjacent City garage. The space recently opened in July as the First Street Market – an indoor year-round farmers market – along with Amba Café & Rotisserie a new Mediterranean concept from Cambridge Street Hospitality Group and local chef Will Gilson, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner to anchor the area. A community event space with senior programming, in partnership with the Cambridge non-profit East End House, will open this fall.
“The redevelopment of the former courthouse and jail has persevered over the past decade due to the collaboration and creativity of many who saw the potential for a reimagined structure that would bring tangible economic impact to the City of Cambridge,” said Rob Dickey, executive vice president and partner at Leggat McCall Properties. “Forty Thorndike now delivers on that promise with renewed optimism offering a high-quality sustainable asset for business and residents, with Class-A innovative office space, critical housing, and green space for generations to come.”
“Cambridge will always remain a global city that continues to attract the top talent in research and innovation,” said Bill Brown, president and chief investment officer of Granite Properties. “With the delivery of 40 Thorndike, we offer a building design and location that responds to the unique needs of this workforce like no other in the Kendall Square area.”
Media Contacts:
Pamela Jonah | for Leggat McCall Properties
Renate Geerlings | for Granite Properties
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