2026 Spring Preview: Patrick Burns, Northstar Project & Real Estate Services

What trends or market activity are you seeing as we move into the spring season? As an owner’s project manager, my primary focus over the past few years has been the fit-out of office space. There is a growing trend toward enhancing the workplace experience, aiming to create an office worth commuting to. These enhancements can range from high-end coffee machines in office “pantries” to an entire floor dedicated to a full-service restaurant offering significant discounts to employees.

What projects, initiatives, or types of work are currently keeping your team busiest? I am fortunate to collaborate with a talented team on the client side and within Northstar. We are managing a significant number of improvements to an office building in Cambridge, including an enhanced cafeteria, workspace, and conference center, and the completion of the fit-out of the three remaining vacant floors. Additionally, we are managing the fit-out of the rest of a floor of an office building in N.J. and several labs in Cambridge, while also beginning a lab project in Waltham. The coordination of this work in occupied spaces is a significant strength for my team. I am proud of their efforts.

What opportunities or challenges do you see shaping the commercial real estate landscape over the next several months? Political uncertainty is contributing to significant uncertainty in the real estate and construction industries. The mood appears to be more cautious than optimistic. On the positive side, there is a demand for Class A office space. JP Morgan’s recent lease at South Station seems to align with that trend. Office-to-residential conversions seem to be gaining traction, with the largest one in Worcester recently receiving funding. We remain flexible in meeting our clients’ needs and function as trusted advisors.