“When it comes to life sciences real estate, Cambridge is still tops,” shouts a recent Boston Business Journal headline. There’s no disputing that the home to MIT and Harvard is a breeding ground for biotech brilliance. You only have to read as far as the first sentence of the article, however, to learn that “tops” also describes rental rates. “Boston and Cambridge are by far the most expensive life sciences markets to rent lab space in the United States.” In the spirit of Avis’ iconic “We’re No. 2!” advertising campaign, Cummings Properties is happy not to have the top spot in this category. Although we can’t claim to be the hub of the life sciences universe, we’re proud to have created thriving mini-hubs in Medford, Woburn, and Beverly. [caption id="attachment_1504"…

Cummings Properties employees can reach right out the lunchroom window for fresh basil while patrons of the Revere Hotel can swim outside seven stories up! Here are five ways Greater Boston businesses are taking their rooftops to new heights. 1. Incredible Edible Landscape Cummings Properties team members flexed their collective green thumb to create a small garden on the roof of the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm’s corporate office. 2. Swimming in the Clouds Boston’s Revere Hotel boasts one of the most coveted rooftop pools in Massachusetts. Complete with cabanas and cocktails, this heated pool seven stories above Back Bay is a great place to make the most of the short New England summer. 3. Get Blown Away A popular addition to the Boston skyline is producing significant educational benefits and…

In a world in which “there’s an app for that” has become the standard solution to most productivity problems, mobile devices are the new Swiss Army knife. For commercial real estate professionals looking to work smarter, not harder, there is no shortage of high-tech resources to get things done more efficiently. Productivity 1. DocuSign DocuSign provides a simple and secure way for property managers and brokers to electronically sign documents and collect signatures. Available On: iOS, Android, Windows 2. Dropbox Drop Box is a cloud-based storage solution that makes your documents, photos, and videos readily available on almost any device. Users can create folders and share them with relevant parties, such as clients or lawyers. Available On: iOS, Android, Windows 3. Google Sphere Cam Google Sphere Cam creates 360-degree panoramas, allowing you to give prospective…

From East Cambridge to the ‘burbs of Greater Boston, the local startup industry continues to boom.  Frequently operating with tight budgets and uncertain futures, however, these early-stage companies are not ideal prospects in the eyes of many commercial real estate firms. By focusing instead on the high potential of passionate, innovative entrepreneurs, Cummings Properties has found plenty of reasons to take a chance on the “little guy/gal” and has developed strategies to create win-win leases with startup firms. [caption id="attachment_964" align="alignright" width="950"] Image via mashable.com[/caption] Flexible lease terms Forecasting business growth beyond a few years can be difficult for well-established firms and is especially challenging for startups. As a result, young companies are often wary of signing long-term leases. By offering early-stage firms flexible short-term leases – with a guarantee…

Sure you do; you're a scientist starting up your own firm. You've been so focused on the science and business issues, all you think you need is "a hood and a bench" to get going. You probably left a larger firm or university that had a lab facility manager or team to deal with the infrastructure. Suddenly, you are the facilities manager. That's okay; we deal with these situations all the time. Let's start with the basics and determine your needs. (more…)

When preparing to lease commercial real estate for your office, retail location, lab space, or any other property need, any prospective lessee should always take a tour to be sure he or she knows exactly what will be included. (more…)

So you've found the perfect office space for your business. While locating the ideal space is important, understanding and negotiating the terms of your lease may ultimately have a larger impact on the profitability of your business. The two primary types of commercial real estate leases are triple net (NNN) and full-service (sometimes referred to as gross). (more…)

There are many ways to search for a new office space to lease. Whether you are new to leasing commercial property or a veteran, explore your options thoroughly to get the best possible space for your business. (more…)