Skanska USA Commercial Development Inc. announced today that it has secured another lease at 150 Second Street in Cambridge’s Kendall Square with bluebird bio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on transforming the lives of patients with severe genetic and orphan diseases using gene therapy. bluebird bio will occupy 43,586 square feet beginning in January 2014.
“We are excited to welcome another innovative company to our building that represents the pioneering culture and personality unique to Kendall Square,” said Shawn Hurley, executive vice president for Skanska USA Commercial Development in Boston. “The neighborhood continues to flourish and attract leading edge companies, like bluebird bio.”
bluebird bio joins anchor tenant Foundation Medicine Inc. at 150 Second Street. Foundation Medicine is a molecular information company that uses genomic analysis to help doctors identify targeted cancer treatments that might be best for each patient. Foundation Medicine Inc. is scheduled to start a 61,591 square foot lease this September which, with bluebird bio, brings the building to 85 percent leased.
Jones Lang LaSalle represented Skanska USA Commercial Development and Colliers International represented bluebird bio.
150 Second Street, which was completed in December 2012, is a LEED® Gold pre-certified lab and office building representing Skanska’s first commercial development investment in Cambridge. Skanska acquired the property in November of 2010 and self-financed the development costs for the three-story Class A project.
Skanska USA Commercial Development, which launched in late 2008, is focused on the development of Class A commercial projects and is committed to delivering sustainable buildings. In addition to Boston, Skanska also has commercial development groups in Washington D.C., Houston and Seattle.