Tons of New Office Space Coming to Dorchester in July with Opening of the BEAT

In a city where office space is truly scarce – and has been for several years now – the upcoming availability of hundreds of thousands of square feet of it in Dorchester should be piquing the interest of companies across the city, region, country and even the world. Nordblom Co., the lead developer of the $300-million gut-rehab of the former site of the Boston Globe headquarters on Morrissey Boulevard, recently announced that it is actively seeking tenants for the new tech-life sciences hub. Read on to learn more about what the BEAT is likely to do for the availability of key commercial space for companies of many shapes, sizes and scopes.

Situated at 135 Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester, which places it within striking distance of two Red Line stations, Savin Hill and JFK/UMass, as well as Interstate 93, the under-development site will feature a total of 695,000 square feet of space. Around 300,000 square feet of it will be earmarked for flex/light industrial/lab space – and 360,000 square feet of it will be prime office space that will most likely fall into the Class A classification.

A great deal has been reported about the development of the BEAT, but one question is still hanging out there: What kinds of tenants will it be seeking? Recently, a Nordblom exec made a few suggestions. These included 3-D printing companies, architectural firms and medical robotics labs, but any firms that are seeking a location at a prime urban innovation campus are certain to be interested in acquiring office space there. Indeed, the BEAT is being touted as the next Kendall Square, and it will be positioned to compete not only with that Cambridge tech-life sciences hub but with others, including the in-development Exchange South End a few neighborhoods over.

Given the much-hyped plans for the site, it is being developed to include elements that are likely to appeal to employees across many sectors. For example, the development is designed to include a craft brewery and associated beer garden; Nordblom is still seeking a brewery tenant for that space. Parking for more than 850 vehicles and 200 bicycles will also be included on the premises, which is sure to appeal to companies that want to attract the city’s brightest and best talent. On top of that, the BEAT will include a food hall; a fitness center; a miniature indoor basketball court; a rooftop deck; and a golf simulator.

Already being referred to as a “genius factory,” the BEAT is transforming the former site of the Boston Globe HQ, which was home to the storied newspaper for more than six decades. The Globe moved to new headquarters downtown in mid-2017, but the very name of the site – the BEAT, an acronym for the Boston Exchange for Accelerated Technology – pays homage to its journalistic roots. Reporters once worked their beats from offices at the site; now, tech and life sciences employees will further strengthen Boston’s growing reputation as a true tech-life sciences hub.

Development of the new site began in late 2018. Last year, the steelwork, brick facades and windows were completed. The most noticeable sign of the new hub came with brightly colored signage that was emblazoned across the massive water tower on the grounds. Designed by Dorchester-based Best Dressed Signs, the logo is likely to appear throughout office buildings on the site – and it is certain to be used extensively as a marketing tool for attracting tenants to the BEAT.

The BEAT is expected to open as early as July 2020, and Nordblom is currently seeking tenants to fill the hundreds of thousands of square feet of office space that will be found there. Competition for the best space is certain to be fierce, so if you would like to snag real estate there for your business, you should start working on it now. The best way to eventually acquire great office space at the BEAT in Dorchester is by connecting with Boston City Properties as soon as possible. We have the resources and talent that are needed to make quick work of even the most complex commercial real estate transactions, so give us a call today.