Tishman Speyer and Breakthrough Properties sign biopharma tenant at Innovation Center at Harvard ERC

Boston, MA According to Tishman Speyer and Breakthrough Properties, a world-leading biopharma company will more than triple the size of its forthcoming Innovation Center at the Harvard Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) in the city’s Allston neighborhood.

Breakthrough Properties, a joint venture of Tishman Speyer and Bellco Capital, is in advanced stages of construction on One Milestone, the ERC’s premier life science environment. The biopharma company announced in March its plan to establish an Innovation Center within One Milestone, which will serve as a hub for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism (CVRM) discovery, alongside initiatives in AI and data science. The company, which initially committed to 30,000 s/f, is increasing its footprint to 100,000 s/f and will commence phased move-in starting in mid-2026.

Designed by architectural firms Henning Larsen and Studio Gang, One Milestone encourages interaction and exchanges through an array of collaboration spaces and amenities, including a Jay Wright-designed fitness center and a double-height conference facility. The two-building complex will accommodate companies of all sizes – from large-scale users to emerging start-ups based in StudioLabs, Breakthrough’s lab-equipped, turn-key environments for high growth life science companies. With its proximity to Harvard Business School, Harvard’s Science and Engineering Complex, Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence, and Harvard’s collection of Innovation Labs, One Milestone will be a leading destination to pursue academic partnerships and collaborations. 

One of the most anticipated new developments in the Boston region in decades, Tishman Speyer and Breakthrough, along with the Harvard Allston Land Company, commenced construction on the first phase of the ERC in 2023.

Verra, the ERC’s 343-apartment community, is now welcoming residents and is 60% leased within months of opening. 

The David Rubenstein Treehouse, Harvard’s iconic university-wide conference center, opened in late October and is now hosting events ranging in size from 20 up to 755 people. 

The Treehouse incorporates space for industry partners, visiting scholars and guests from around the world to collaborate with faculty and students and to discuss issues at the forefront of their fields. The expressive mass timber structure features a double-height lobby that extends outdoors through two covered porches that can be used year-round.

The Atlas Hotel is now accepting reservations ahead of its winter 2026 opening. The 246-room boutique hotel will feature two new dining concepts by the James Beard-nominated Pearl & Law Hospitality, the team behind Dorchester’s Comfort Kitchen. Ama at The Atlas, which will serve as the hotel’s signature restaurant concept, and a rooftop restaurant and bar are both set to debut in the spring. Additionally, Harvard Cooperative Society, known as the COOP, will open a book and apparel store inside the hotel. The Atlas will also feature more than 2,000 s/f of versatile meeting and event space.

The 40,000 s/f retail portion of the campus will feature an assortment of street-level shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as a new daycare center operated by Little Sprouts. All these elements surround two acres of public open space, with Allstonway as its centerpiece. Allstonway will connect the Allston community to the Charles River, providing engaging spaces for people to come together and collaborate. The vibrant green space will welcome visitors of all ages and abilities with year-round programming including outdoor markets, concerts and fitness classes.

“We are proud to deepen our partnership with a pioneer in transformative medicine,” said Tishman Speyer CEO Rob Speyer. “Their expanded commitment reflects our shared belief in the ERC’s potential to advance science and discovery in Boston.”

“The mission of One Milestone is to deliver a world-leading environment for innovators and a destination for dynamic partnerships between academia and industry,” said Breakthrough Properties CEO Dan Belldegrun. “The forthcoming Innovation Center is an ideal anchor for One Milestone and a powerful representation of that very mission.”