Cambridge, MA David and James Stubblebine, principals of The Stubblebine Company/CORFAC International, sold 67 Smith Place in the Alewife neighborhood, to Cabot Cabot & Forbes (CC&F) for $49.6 million. 

The 4.4 acre parcel consists of three industrial buildings with a combined 67,000 s/f of industrial space. 67 Smith Place is located adjacent to CC&F’s master-planned mixed-use project “The Quad,” a 1.1 million s/f lab and residential development project situated on 11.9 acres, which is presently before the city for approvals. The combined acreage of the Quad and 67 Smith Place raises CC&F holdings in Alewife to 16.3 acres. 

In a recent separate transaction, Stubblebine also sold the contiguous 11.9 acre parcel to CC&F for $79 million.

The Quad project will include a pedestrian bridge over the adjacent MBTA Fitchburg Commuter rail tracks, connecting Smith Place to Cambridge Park Dr., enabling an easy walk to the MBTA Red Line Terminal. The Quad project will consist of 575,000 s/f of lab space, 490 multifamily units, and 60,000 s/f of ground-floor retail amenities including a craft brewery, a rock-climbing club and maker space. CC&F pioneered the development of Alewife following the recession, beginning with the Atmark in 2013. The 428-unit Atmark project was completed in 2015.

67 Smith Place was a complex and challenging acquisition, requiring the coordination of 20 industrial condominium sellers and multiple subtenants. Jacob Vance, senior project manager for CC&F, said, “It was a purchase that required extraordinary patience and collaboration between the many sellers and CC&F.” 

David Stubblebine said, “CC&F has aggregated a total of approximately 16.3 contiguous acres in Cambridge: an astounding feat. CC&F’s long-term vision and perseverance is phenomenal.” The main building, a 58,000 SF warehouse offers ceiling heights ranging from 20’ to 26’ clear, 24 drive-in doors and extensive paved areas for parking, and/or outside storage. “Alewife transit-oriented development (TOD) remains the most attractive arena for real estate investment in the region, with both life sciences and residential development flourishing,” said Jay Doherty, CEO of CC&F. 

“Our goals include the creation of new public transportation infrastructure and new amenities that will create the most attractive ‘walk to work’ location in Greater Boston.” 

In the last few years, Alewife has added 3,000 new residential units and seen the leasing of 3 million s/f of lab space.