News Summary
Carl Rodrigues will transition from CEO of Harvard Allston Land Co. to become Vice Chancellor for Real Estate Facilities and Development at Vanderbilt University as of November 1. During his leadership at HALC, he made significant strides in developing the Enterprise Research Campus in Allston. With his departure, Jen Cohen will take over as interim CEO, focusing on advancing commercial growth in Allston while continuing the initiatives set forth for sustainable development and community engagement.
Allston, Massachusetts – Carl Rodrigues will leave his role as CEO of Harvard Allston Land Co. (HALC) to take on a new position as the vice chancellor for real estate facilities and development at Vanderbilt University, effective November 1. During his tenure at HALC, which began in 2022, Rodrigues oversaw significant progress in the development of the Enterprise Research Campus (ERC).
In light of Rodrigues’ departure, Jen Cohen has been appointed as the interim chief executive of HALC. Her responsibilities will include leading a team of ten staff members focused on fostering commercial development in the Allston area.
Under Rodrigues’ leadership, HALC made substantial advancements in the ERC initiative. This included the planning of future growth phases and the establishment of a robust foundation for ongoing and upcoming projects linked to the campus. The first phase of the ERC, which encompasses 900,000 square feet, is now opening, thanks to development by Tishman Speyer along Western Avenue, directly across from the Harvard Business School.
The initial phase features the Verra apartment complex, consisting of 343 units that are currently available for leasing, as well as the Rubenstein Treehouse Conference Center, which is set to welcome guests later this year. Additionally, the first half of next year will see further developments, including the Atlas hotel and two life sciences office buildings called “OneMilestone.”
A panel discussion and tour are scheduled for real estate trade group NAIOP Massachusetts, providing early insights into the developments on Thursday.
The ERC represents a major undertaking by Harvard to transform a previously industrial area into a vibrant hub for innovation and research. In alignment with this mission, Harvard’s institutional master plan for Allston aims for a mix of new construction and renovations totaling 720,000 square feet and 140,000 square feet, respectively, over the next ten years.
These projects are designed to address community concerns while contributing to sustainable energy solutions that include solar energy generation. Furthermore, Harvard aims to provide affordable housing as part of its initiatives, featuring a 274-unit building alongside additional units near its new facilities.
An example of the collaboration fostered by the ERC is the announcement of Roche’s Innovation Center, which illustrates a connection between Harvard and the biopharmaceutical industry, tapping into the broader life sciences ecosystem in Boston. Roche intends to utilize the new center for research in cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism areas, with plans to hire up to 500 employees for the site.
Such developments have garnered support from public figures, including Governor Maura T. Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, both of whom emphasized the importance of these projects in terms of job creation and their impact on the city’s economy.
As Cohen steps into the interim CEO role, her priorities will involve navigating the ongoing projects while ensuring that HALC continues to align with the broader objectives set forth for Allston’s economic and community development.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Boston Globe: Harvard Allston CEO Transition
- Wikipedia: Allston, Massachusetts
- The Crimson: Roche Biotech Innovation Center
- Google Search: Harvard Allston development
- Fierce Biotech: Roche’s New Boston Hub
- Google Scholar: Allston development
- The Crimson: Harvard IMP Approval
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Allston
- The Crimson: Harvard Allston Master Plan Negotiations
- Google News: Harvard Enterprise Research Campus
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