Adaptive reuse project that transformed a 79 year old factory building into a high-tech research facility.
Status: Sold to BioMed Realty Trust in 2005
Address: 270 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA
Project: Fort Washington Research Center
Architect: Gary Shaw, DTS Shaw Associates
Builder: Siena Construction
Awards: 1999 City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Historical Commission Preservation Award; 1999 Building Design & Construction Reconstruction Project Award
The 18' ceiling height on the building's second level provided ample room for the installation of utility services for biotechnology researchers. 270 Albany Street is part of Lyme's Fort Washington Research Center, located in close proximity to MIT's campus and University Park.
The character of the old industrial building was retained as it was adapted for pharmaceutical research operations.
The building was originally the New England warehouse and finishing plant for Standard Plate Glass Company. After this operation closed in 1930, the building housed a candy box manufacturer.