The inner suburbs of Boston have long been home to companies powering the Greater Boston economy, but towns like Waltham and Watertown are experiencing a redevelopment boom as former factories are finding a second life in the 21st century.

Located on the Watertown/Waltham line, 152 Grove St. is an example of redevelopment done right. Originally built in the 1940s, 152 Grove St. is the former home of Standard-Thomson – a manufacturing company that sold temperature gauges for cars and industrial equipment – and is set to become  The Gauge: a new campus designed for collaboration in a brick-and-beam space that retains the 70-year-old building’s character.

Companies looking for space right now are dealing with a tight market in Boston and Cambridge. The Gauge offers tenants a highly unique, funky and amenity-rich space. The building’s owner, Hilco Redevelopment Partners, is redeveloping the 8.2-acre site to create an all new base building on spec. With facilities spanning a total of 130,000 rentable square feet over three buildings, the campus will embrace its maker history and industrial character while welcoming the next generation of thinkers and makers.

Setting The Tone 

With restoration of the three-building campus underway, the site will attract companies looking for an open and collaborative environment. The Gauge will retain its spectacular wood-beamed, saw-toothed ceilings (15 to 27 feet) and industrial charm with exposed brick walls, but plans include incorporating new oversized windows and skylights to modernize the structure. The unique, amenity-rich space will also have new state-of-the-art systems, common areas, utility infrastructure, roof, landscaping and ample on-site employee parking. Work is expected to be complete by the end of the year, and The Gauge will be ready for tenant occupancy by Q1 2018.

These structural touches will be integrated into creative space that will be efficiently designed for companies that thrive on collaboration and innovation. There will also be unique meeting space for tenants both inside and outside of the buildings.

Amenities and open space will bring tenants together. A standalone 2,500-square-foot amenity building will feature a coffee bar with grab-and-go food options, plus soft seating and several collaboration areas along with the stylish touch of overhead glass garage doors that open up into a new patio facing a quad area. Whether enjoying the gaming area, indoor and outdoor bike storage or the convenience of on-site showers and lockers, employees will find that the campus setting allows for collaboration at all times. The campus mentality is particularly attractive to companies looking for a makerspace atmosphere – where engineering, technology, medical and other companies making software, robots, medical devices, 3-D printers and more can come together and share ideas easily.

Embracing A History 

The makers of the 21st century will appreciate the thoughtful renovation of this one-of-a-kind property that embraces its history while modernizing the site.

From the beginning, Hilco was intent on using the bones of the building because of its character. The redevelopment team decided to surgically remove some of the existing infrastructure that was necessary as they sought to modernize the structure. These pieces will ultimately get a second life as they are repurposed in the interior of the building, giving it character and acting as a reminder of the building’s history.

This careful consideration of the original structure is a nod to years of history – the name “The Gauge” itself is homage to Standard-Thomson’s long history of operation at the property. The result is thoughtful redevelopment in an ideal inner suburban location with access to walkable amenities and public transportation.

People have been making things at 152 Grove St. since it was built. Now, the redevelopment process will allow the tradition to continue with the next generation of the workforce. Tenants looking for creative and collaboration space need look no further than The Gauge.