The space, designed by Jacobs and project managed by JLL, embraces a hybrid working model
Canton, MA – Timberline has completed construction of a new headquarters for bluebird bio, a gene therapy company and the first biotech to relocate to Somerville’s Assembly Row. The 60,000 SF space is located at 455 Grand Union Blvd, a soon-to-be LEED Certified Gold building owned by Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT).
The “new nest” – bluebird-speak for its headquarters – was designed to reflect a hybrid working model, with employees flexing their time between work and home and the workplace serving as both a convening site and a place for quiet work. The space was designed with open work stations, huddle areas and rooms for individual work with technology to support the fluidity of the culture and work style. Open multipurpose rooms, including a café and coffee house, serve as hubs for company-wide gatherings.
Café space
“Construction on the site was completed within an ambitious, five-month project construction schedule,’ said Paul Boutchia, Vice President with JLL’s Project & Development Services group. “We collaboratively worked with the design and construction teams to communicate with bluebird and FRIT for a rapid decision-making process.” With the supply chain issues and delays, timely decisions were critical to forging toward a successful occupancy in the spring of 2022.
The overall project partners included the owner’s project management team at JLL, the architecture and design team at Jacobs, Timberline Construction for construction management, engineering partners at NV5, the property owner Federal Realty Investment Trust, as well as a great team of subcontractors. Photography credit: Anton Grassl.