Three Under-the-Radar Boston Real Estate Trends You Missed in 2025
Beyond the headlines, several trends left their mark on local real estate, pointing to conditions to watch in the coming year.
French Biotech Establishes Seaport HQ
A French biotech company subleased office space in Boston’s Seaport District for a new global headquarters.
Opportunities and Pitfalls Await Office Investors
Big leases by Hasbro and KKR at trophy office towers have generated buzz about the Boston office market after several years of consolidations and downsizing.
A Commitment to Relationships Will Set You Apart in Property Management
What makes for a good client relationship? At the heart is trust and likability. To get there, you need the right people, and you need to retain them.
Blackstone Buys UPS-Anchored Development for $59M
A UPS-leased industrial development in Saugus developed by Hilco Redevelopment Partners was acquired by Blackstone Real Estate for $58.5 million.
High-End Buildings Keep Lead in Q3 Boston Office Leasing
A virtual city located under one roof, the 1 million square-foot Winthrop Center tower in downtown Boston has a food hall, health clubs, billiard room and even a “Club VIP” doggy daycare.
Signs of Life in Boston Biotech CRE
Little tiny green shoots are poking up here and there, with leasing activity running well ahead of 2024 totals and the pace of vacancy growth slowing down.
What’s Driving Transaction Activity in 2025
With vacancy rates elevated, demand softening and pricing still under pressure, the relative appeal of ownership has only grown. And it’s leading driving some major transactions.
Rate Cut Could Spur Suburban Housing Starts
Suburban multifamily development is likely to benefit the most from potential interest rate cuts, brokers and developers predict, with MBTA Communities districts in the lead.
No End in Sight for Housing Financing Hurdles
Across Greater Boston, approved multifamily building proposals are gathering dust despite strong market fundamentals. Blame banks and investors.
There’s 2M SF of Offices Waiting to Be Converted to Housing, But They Need Help
Greater Boston’s high construction and capital costs have made most conversions prohibitively expensive. A solution needs state, municipalities and industry to collaborate.
Odd Fellows Hall Redevelopment Nears Completion in Downtown Lowell
A developer is nearing complete of the latest in a series of Lowell multifamily developments after receiving a mix of public and private financing.
Equipment Supplier Inks HQ Lease at Starwood-Owned Property
A construction equipment supplier established a new headquarters at a Methuen property after signing a multi-year full building lease for nearly 71,000 square feet.
Another Big Office Landlord Tests Sales Climate
Blackstone’s office real estate arm is testing the investment sales climate in Boston with plans to sell a Back Bay multitenant building after an 11-year ownership period.
Hot Property: New England Business Center
Nine tenants have leased office space at Andover’s New England Business Center since late 2023, bringing occupancy of the office park up to 96 percent.
Sustainability Standoff in Watertown
Potential new requirements to discourage fossil fuel use at approximately 150 large buildings in Watertown would drive up housing costs and penalize developers of recent lab projects, opponents say.
Manufacturer Expanding at Apollo Drive in Chelmsford
An additive manufacturing company is expanding in Chelmsford after signing a long-term lease at 250 Apollo Drive.
Second Downtown Tower’s Sale Could Set Benchmark
It’s not just One Lincoln: A second downtown Boston skyscraper could hit the market and offer another indication of how far high-end office property values have fallen since the pandemic.
Boston Office Market Finds Firmer Footing
Is 2025 the year of the Boston office comeback? Amid return-to-work mandates and a slight dip in office vacancy rates, there’s optimism in the air.
Lab Supplier Leases 113K SF for HQ in Ayer
Pepperell-based Celltreat Scientific Products will consolidate from three separate locations into the new headquarters at 3 Nemco Way.
