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BUSINESS NEWS SUFFOLK CELEBRATES TOPPING OFF FOR A GAME-CHANGING NEW TAKEDA FACILITY IN KENDALL SQUARE WHERE SCIENCE, ART AND COMMUNITY WILL CONVERGE Suffolk, one of the largest and most innovative real estate and construction enterprises in the country, recently celebrated topping off 585 Kendall. Designed by CBT Architects, 585 Kendall is a mixed-use lab/office building and performing arts center in the Canal District of Kendall Square. The event recognized the construction teams that played a vital role in reaching this significant milestone. Takeda has leased the property’s approximately 600,000-square-foot of lab and office space, creating a purpose- built research and development facility to deliver life-transforming therapies for patients that will be the home of Takeda’s Global R&D center. Lexington will remain Takeda’s suburban campus. Maintaining the neighborhood’s reputation as a hub for science and the arts, the 16-story structure developed and owned by BioMed Realty is poised to establish a new cultural landmark for the community.
Suffolk’s approach to building the new facility is rooted in its commitment to quality and the latest advancements in construction technology, data and sustainable practices. Suffolk increases efficiencies and productivity on jobsites that allow its teams to build functional, sustainable buildings and research labs at the forefront of global biomedical innovation and deliver those buildings on schedule and on budget. “We are honored and privileged to celebrate this important milestone in the construction of this complex facility,” said John Fish, Chairman and CEO, Suffolk. “Building a sophisticated project in the heart of the innovation district of Cambridge requires vision, dedication, innovation and collaboration. Thank you to BioMed and Takeda for their close partnership, for their investment in this community, and for their faith in Suffolk to deliver this game-changing project for the life sciences community, the City of Cambridge and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” Set for occupancy in 2026, 585 Kendall is designed to support the diverse needs of
the Cambridge community. The building’s 30,000-square-foot performing arts center with a 400-seat performance space, flexible multipurpose rooms for workshops and meetings, and an indoor garden developed in partnership with Global Arts Live will provide much-needed rehearsal, performance and gathering spaces for artists and community members. This performing arts center will complement the existing, ongoing community activations at Canal District Kendall. BioMed Realty and Takeda are also partnering to achieve key sustainability goals in the building’s development and operation, including LEED Gold or higher, as well as additional healthy building certifications. The building will be water and energy efficient and supplied with 100 percent renewable electricity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Enhanced ventilation strategies, avoiding chemicals of concern like volatile organic compounds, and applying biophilic design principles, will improve occupant wellbeing, comfort, and productivity.
As a female leader who would have met the criteria, I didn’t feel advantaged – I felt undermined. Another female leader and I spoke up, asking how this policy might impact our credibility. If our male peers believed we were promoted just to fulfill a quota, how could we effectively lead? Would our hard work and qualifications be overshadowed by a statistic? Leadership assured us that only the most talented and capable individuals would still be promoted. But I wasn’t convinced. I approached my boss and told him plainly: “If I’m ever promoted because I’m a woman rather than because I earned it, I will quit.” I refused to let my abilities be questioned or my career reduced to a checkbox. THE OUTCOME. Over time, this policy created a wedge within the team. In a male-dominated environment, being a woman became even harder – not because of bias, but because of the unintended consequences of a diversity metric. Some colleagues still recognized my capabilities, but doubt lingered for others. Seeking a career move driven by purpose, I looked for an opportunity to challenge myself – one that embraced continuous improvement, curiosity, and personal growth. I wanted to be part of a company where respect, togetherness, and empathy are more than principles; they shape the way people deliver the work. Today, I feel truly valued and can
make a meaningful impact on my local community and the Midwest region ISG serves. BREAKING PERCEPTIONS. The true measure of success is based on merit and skill. A person’s excellence can be defined by a commitment to growth, adaptability, technical skill, and the ability to create positive change. For those in male- dominated fields, breaking down barriers doesn’t mean fitting into a mold or adhering to quotas – it means consistently performing at the highest level, building resilience, and embracing challenges. Embracing the opportunity for improvement is what shapes leaders, and true leaders are driven by their skills, vision, and ability to make an impact. Many individuals in these industries, like those at ISG, tune out the noise and let their expertise, talent, and technical understanding speak for itself. EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO LEAD. ISG has benefited from an #ISGAllin employee-owned culture: one where everyone is given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully, and we feel the weight of responsibility by having a stake in the game. Every day, our team shows up with the intention to make an impact – as leaders and owners committed to performance, excellence, and delivering results. Whether that’s how we think, lead, and solve problems, we’re committed to making a difference. Tiara Marcus is a project management practice group leader at ISG. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
THE ZWEIG LETTER MARCH 24, 2025, ISSUE 1578
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