Watertown, MA The town has approved a new life sciences building, designed by SGA.

Located at 85 Walnut St., the 215,000 s/f core and shell building will provide lab-ready facilities. In addition, a parking structure and a public park will be situated on the five-acre property.

The owner of the property is an affiliate of Westbrook Partners.

“SGA worked closely with Watertown’s local city officials to design a commercial site that is mindful of its surrounding environment, with special consideration given towards its neighbors,” said John Sullivan, AIA, partner and director of architecture at SGA. “The design aims to allocate the use of the buildings towards Arsenal St. and to keep the mass of the structures away from the residential area.”

Another important feature of 85 Walnut St. is the creation of a large park abutting Walnut St. SGA is using the existing, under-utilized green space that wasn’t accessible to the public and turning it into a unique, shared outdoor environment. Highlights include a central open green space, amphitheater seating, and paths for pedestrians and bicycles. Several existing shade trees will be preserved and worked into new landscaping, as a sustainable and environmental decision.

The structured parking facility efficiently solves the property’s parking needs so more space can be devoted to the park and abundant open space throughout the site. In accordance with Watertown’s existing solar power requirements, the roof of the parking structure will be dedicated to solar panels.

Rendering credit SGA