BioMed Realty, Suffolk Construction, Takeda, and Global Arts Live on Tuesday, Jan 21 celebrated the installation of the final beam on top of 585 Kendall, the steel topping-off ceremony-marked a significant milestone in construction for the 16-story mixed-use building, which will marry state-of-the-art life sciences spaces with a dynamic performing arts center in Kendall Square, Cambridge.
Designed by CBT Architects, 585 Kendall is being developed as a community-focused building. When completed, the 600,000-square-foot lab and office building will be anchored by Takeda, which leased space in 2022. The project also includes a 30,000-square-foot performing arts center with a 400-seat performance space, multipurpose rooms for workshops and events, and an indoor garden designed in collaboration with Global Arts Live.
Supporting the Cambridge Community
The performing arts center is set to play a pivotal role in Kendall Square, providing much-needed spaces for rehearsals, performances, and community gatherings. It will complement existing activities at the Canal District, such as seasonal farmers’ markets, outdoor recreational events like ice skating and cornhole, and summer concert series—all organized by BioMed Realty to foster community engagement.
Today’s 585 Kendall topping-off milestone shows our commitment to combining life sciences with cultural innovation at 585 Kendall,” said Bill Kane, President of East Coast and U.K. Markets at BioMed Realty. “Today’s ceremony celebrates the creative teams working day in and day out to make this game-changing project a reality.”
Building for Sustainability and Well-being
Key design principles for the project include sustainability and wellness. The building will be LEED Gold or higher, encompassing energy and water efficiency, improved ventilation, and renewable electricity. Biophilic design will help further support environmental sustainability and promote occupants’ well-being without using toxic chemicals, such as VOCs.
585 Kendall topping-off represents a bold step forward in creating spaces where science and art thrive together,” said Julie Kim, President of Takeda’s U.S. Business Unit. “This project also reinforces our commitment to the Kendall Square community and to environmental sustainability.”
Financial Support
In May 2023, BioMed Realty agreed on a mortgage worth $683 million with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to finance construction on the site. The construction team was recently honored with the topping-off ceremony. Sal Zinno from BioMed Realty was in attendance, joined by John Fish, CEO of Suffolk Construction, as well as State Senator Sal DiDomenico, who gathered to celebrate with the construction team.
“This incredible venue will be a place where creatives and community come together, so it will be a really great cultural venue,” said Connie Chin, Global Arts Live’s CEO. “It is an enormous investment in Cambridge’s creative ecosystem and provides lifeblood space for innovation and community engagement.”
Scheduled for completion in 2026, 585 Kendall is much more than a building: it is a vision of how life sciences, arts, and sustainability can merge to make a community stronger.
Read also: Plano Approves Major Life Sciences Hub at Former EDS Campus
585 Kendall Reaches Milestone with Steel Topping-Off: Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Project Type: Mixed-use life sciences and performing arts development
Height: 16 stories
Total Area: 630,000 square feet
Expected Completion: 2026
Key Components
600,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space
30,000 sq ft performing arts center featuring:
400-seat performance venue
Multipurpose rooms
Indoor garden
Project Team
Developer: BioMed Realty
General Contractor: Suffolk Construction
Architect: CBT Architects
Anchor Tenant: Takeda
Arts Partner: Global Arts Live
585 Kendall Sustainability Features
Targeting LEED Gold certification or higher
Energy-efficient systems
Water conservation measures
Enhanced ventilation systems
Renewable electricity integration
VOC-free materials
Biophilic design elements
Read also: 3151 Market life science skyscraper topped out, Philadelphia
Community Benefits
Performing arts venue for community events
Rehearsal and workshop spaces
Integration with Canal District activities
Public gathering spaces
Year-round programming including:
Seasonal farmers’ markets
Outdoor recreational activities
Summer concert series
Financial Information
$683 million construction mortgage financing provided by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation secured in May 2023
585 Kendall Project Status
Steel topping-off ceremony completed
Construction ongoing
On track for 2026 completion
Read also: Turner Celebrates Topping Out at Alan B. Miller Medical Center in Palm Beach Gardens
