Nauset Construction begins final phase of Cambridge data center

Cambridge, MA Construction is underway for the third and final phase of renovations to 300 Bent St., a 90,000 s/f, two-story building that serves as the primary data center for the New England operations of Verizon, Lumen Technologies, and other providers. 

This phase involves demolition and excavation of the existing lobby to create a new accessible lobby at grade-level. Lobby features will include a modern front entrance curtainwall system and a new elevator and stairway that will be accessible from the basement level tenant space to the roof. Nauset Construction will also relocate and upgrade the mechanical and electrical systems at the basement level while creating an additional 8,000 s/f for future tenant space. The data center will continue to remain operational throughout construction for owner CEM Realty Trust. 

“This is a small project in scale with a high degree of complexity,” said Ken McClure, VP of development for owner’s project manager The DeNunzio Group, which has worked closely with Nauset on the project. “Working in any occupied area always presents a degree of difficulty, but working in an occupied data center, a communications hub with extreme vulnerability to dust, situated next to a busy police headquarters, on a zero-lot line site, requires an extraordinary level of awareness and attention to safety during the construction process. We have great confidence in Nauset’s ability to deliver.”

Located in the tech and life science epicenter Kendall Sq., 300 Bent St. was originally constructed in 1948 as an industrial building. Khalsa Design Inc. (KDI) was selected to design the renovation and re-imagination of the facility. 

“It is a rare opportunity to have such an expansive canvas to work with,” said KDI project manager Evan Stellman. “KDI enjoyed the collaborative design process with the owner and Nauset Construction, especially developing the playful gradient pattern that fills out the 200’ x 48’ façade of this structure.”

Phase one included the demolition and reconstruction of a new loading dock, and installation of an underground fuel tank. Phase two comprised a complete exterior front facade renovation, where the original concrete exterior was reinforced and clad with modern Nichiha panels in varying shades of grey and blue. The original ribbon windows were replaced with new custom-made storefront windows.

“While Nauset has successfully completed dozens of urban infill projects in Cambridge, working closely with The DeNunzio Group on this data center project allows us to continue to diversify our portfolio,” said Anthony Papantonis, president of Nauset Construction. “Our previous experience working in sensitive, occupied and operational environments has prepared us well for this challenging project.”