On Thursday, October 11th, IFMA hosted an interactive panel discussion titled "Integrated Strategies: Biogen Idec's Journey to Kendall Square." IFMA Members learned about Biogen Idec's decision to move its administrative and executive staff out of its Weston location and back to Kendall Sq.

IFMA member Ed O'Rourke, from GEI Consultants, moderated the discussion, and spoke with us after the event. O'Rourke believes that Biogen's return to Cambridge says a lot about the burgeoning Kendall Sq. neighborhood. The Kendall Sq. area, which has seen the addition of new restaurants, high-end apartments, and first-class office complexes in recent years, is capitalizing on the demographic shift of the neighborhood's residents and employees. Today's researchers and laboratory employees want to be a part of the urban setting as they leave college and enter the workforce. This fact makes Cambridge, and the Kendall Sq. area, more attractive to businesses that are looking to attract young, innovative talent.
There is no question that Kendall Sq. remains one of the world's great technology and research epicenters, and Biogen was once again ready to be back in the city. To move back to the area, Biogen worked with Alexandria Real Estate and Boston Properties and was able realize their space needs with two new buildings on Binney St. in Cambridge. In order to break ground in the spring of 2012, the project team utilized unique leasing strategies, overcame historical preservation issues, and managed the growth and change that were part of this move.

Special thanks to Ed Rybak of Fox RPM Corp., Michelle Lower of Alexandria Real Estate, Chris Milne of Elkus Manfredi Architects, Kevin Sheehan of Boston Properties, Al Spagnolo of Spagnolo GIsness & Associate and Michael Bourque of Nelson for their participation on this enlightening panel.