Brookline Lab Space

Finding lab space in Brookline, MA, isn’t easy. Whether you’re looking to buy or lease such space, Brookline isn’t known for having a lot of it to offer. However, given current market conditions throughout Greater Boston, that’s probably going to change. Besides, there’s plenty of other types of commercial space in the city – especially office space – and some of it could feasibly be converted for life sciences use. Whatever your strategy may be, Boston City Properties can help you identify the right space and negotiate your way to the best possible terms.

The Current Lab Space Market in Greater Boston

Every year, billions of dollars in research grants flow into Greater Boston. In 2018 alone, the city received more than $9 billion of such grants from the NIH. Large companies have plenty of resources, but venture capitalists help level the playing field for smaller firms and startups. As a result, even small life sciences companies can get the funding they need to acquire pricey laboratory space throughout the city – and that’s proven true even in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the city’s office space market has contracted significantly due to the pandemic, lab space demand has held steady and even increased. That’s partly attributed to an increase in research and development activity as firms develop vaccines for the virus. Unlike employees in many industries, lab employees can’t do their work from home. Therefore, such employers have not been downsizing, and many now need even more space.

Low Vacancies Mean Big Competition

Lab space vacancy rates won’t be increasing any time soon, so competition for this type of space will keep being fierce for the foreseeable future. Life science hotspots in Cambridge, the Seaport District, Allston and elsewhere are rapidly running out of space, and bidding wars are par for the course. Not surprisingly, this is prompting some firms to get more creative about acquiring such space, and many are looking to places like Brookline for it.

Lab Space in Brookline

Brookline is not known for its huge inventory of life science space. If anything, the city is dominated by office and retail space, and plenty of each is readily available these days. In some areas of the city, old office buildings and other sites are being converted for use as laboratories; however, the logistics of doing so can be complex. Laboratories have extensive ductwork, for example, which means tall ceilings – at least 15 feet high – are needed. They must sit on solid foundations to keep vibrations to a minimum. To attract top-tier talent, they should also have cutting-edge employee amenities – the kinds that appeal to the millennial crowd.

Converting Brookline Properties into Lab Space

Since life sciences space isn’t widely available in Brookline, it may be necessary to acquire another type of space and convert it over to lab space. Finding existing space that can realistically be converted is complicated and requires an in-depth understanding of the local commercial real estate market and available inventory. If you are looking to acquire or convert lab space in Brookline, Boston City Properties can help. We can refer you to a skilled tenant rep who can help you secure space that suits your requirements. We also maintain a massive database of searchable commercial real estate listings, so you can get started right now. For more information, give us a call today.