9-Story Lab Being Build At Somerville's Boynton Yards

SOMERVILLE, MA — Developers have started construction on a large lab building in Somerville's Boynton Yards. The project will be a nine-story, 289,000-square-foot building at 101 South St. and will be the largest state-of-the-art lab development in the city's life science market, according to joint developers DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners and Leggat McCall Properties.

The mixed-use building will provide advanced lab space and open space, as well as first-floor retail, space for community arts uses and four levels of underground parking. It's the first phase of a planned 18-hour, work-live-play neighborhood featuring over 1 million square feet of commercial, residential and retail uses, arts and performance spaces and public green spaces.

"More than four years ago we were drawn to the City of Somerville due to the mayor’s vision to overhaul the zoning with a transformative city-wide masterplan based on community values including diversity, economy and innovation. We are excited to lead the new future of Somerville with a modern multiphase commercial development," John Fenton, principal of DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners, said in a statement. "101 South Street will reflect the culture of the area’s professional and artistic community while delivering on the City’s plans to redevelop Boynton Yards into a vibrant, mixed-use district of lab, research, office, multifamily, neighborhood retail and community arts space."

Construction will progress over two years. The building's core and shell is expected to be completed by late spring 2021, with initial tenant occupancy in the summer of 2021 to align with the completion of the planned MBTA Green Line station in Union Square. The project team includes architects Spagnolo Gisness & Associates and Hashim Sarkis Studios; general contractor Shawmut Design; and leasing agent Cushman & Wakefield.

A ceremonial community event to officially launch the project will be held this fall.