What do you get when you combine the ingenuity of the manufacturing industry with the scientific expertise and ambition of biotechnology? Enter biomanufacturing: The process through which biological materials and molecules are produced for use in food and beverages, industrial projects, and medicines like gene and cell therapeutics.
Some people familiar with biotech manufacturing see the field intrinsically linked to high-profile tech hubs like Kendall Square in Cambridge and the Seaport District in Boston. While the assumption is easy to understand, it could not be farther from reality. The fact is that biotech firms, in many ways, are more suited to suburban settings. The North Shore is poised to capitalize on this ascendant industry, and Dunham Ridge, in particular, might be the key to the region’s future success.
Unlike other scientific enterprises, biomanufacturing is open to a wide range of prospective employees. Most roles in the field require only a certification rather than the advanced degrees often associated with life science jobs. This level of accessibility means that a much larger pool of applicants can flourish in biomanufacturing positions and work within Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) Suburban campuses like Dunham Ridge are especially attractive to employers seeking a robust candidate pool from nearby communities.
Additionally, the local presence of organizations such as Life Science Consortium of the North Shore, a public private partnership consisting of Salem State University, Endicott College, Gordon College, North Shore Community College, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, and North Shore Innoventures – a Cummings client firm – promote life science education, training, and business growth throughout the region. These institutes are a valuable advocate and resource for ensuring a consistent talent pipeline for firms that operate at Dunham Ridge and across the region at large.
More and more bioscience firms are choosing Cummings Properties because it offers some of the most conveniently located real estate developments in suburban Boston and on the North Shore. Biomanufacturing firms, in particular, need to carefully consider location when looking for a place to call home. Because they are, above all, manufacturers, being able to transport products efficiently is essential for any business in the field.
Dunham Ridge’s campus directly fronts Route 128. Proximity to this major commerce route enables biomanufacturing firms to avoid the notorious traffic of downtown Boston and Cambridge, expediting the transport of their products. Additionally, the nearby highway offers employees an easy route to the area’s many amenities, including supermarkets, restaurants, malls, and more.
There is no getting around it: Money is always a factor in leasing decisions. Finding the ideal space means nothing if the terms are financially unrealistic. According to The Real Reporter, rates in Kendall Square can be as high as $100 per square foot, and leasing rates in Boston and Somerville are also on a meteoric rise. Office and lab spaces on the North Shore, including at Dunham Ridge, are typically one-half to one-third of the cost of similarly sized spaces in Boston and Cambridge.
Further, Cummings guarantees expansion space, meaning that clients do not have to pay for extra space in anticipation of growth. Instead, they lease the space they need now with the assurance that Cummings will work with them to secure additional space from within its expansive portfolio when the time is right.
Cummings, due to its in-house design and construction expertise, is uniquely equipped to deliver specialized spaces for biomanufacturing, life science, and pharmaceutical firms. New spec labs at Dunham Ridge are slated for completion in Q2 2021. This collaborative emerging tech cluster has been designed to meet a variety of lab requirements and will feature turnkey labs outfitted with bench work, fume hoods, associated ventilation, and electrical distribution, and are designed to meet a wide variety of lab requirements.
Flavor-manufacturer Prova is a relatively recent addition to the Dunham Ridge community. Founded in France 74 years ago, it produces sweet brown flavoring compounds primarily for use in beverages. Today, Prova has locations all over the world, with the Dunham Ridge location serving as the firm’s US headquarters. The company selected this site for its build-to-suit opportunities, contemporary look, and natural surroundings.
Pam deVries, PROVA general manager, North America, complimented the creativity and efficiency of the Cummings team in this Beverly Citizen article.
With a healthy talent pool in the surrounding communities, a wealth of expansion options, and Boston and Cambridge just a short highway trip away, Dunham Ridge has set the stage for a strong cluster of biomanufacturing firms on the North Shore.
If your business is looking to expand on the North Shore of Massachusetts, contact us today to set up a tour of Cummings Properties’ Dunham Ridge. With available listings from build-to-suit suites to lots available for purchase, we have the workspace solution for your business.
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