Cambridge-based Genzyme Corp. just can’t get enough of MetroWest.
The global biotechnology company recently kick started a $65 million renovation and construction project in Northborough that is expected to consolidate some of its operations, including distribution and packaging. The project adds to Genzyme’s already growing presence in the region.
Henry Fitzgerald, vice president of operations for Genzyme, said the Northborough location at 11 Forbes Road is ideal due to its proximity to other Genzyme locations and major arteries, including Route 9 and Interstates 495 and 290.
In addition to distribution and packaging, there will also be some quality control staff at the facility. In total it will host about 165 workers who will come from various Genzyme locations in the region. In the future, Genzyme expects to hire another 35 to 50 people to work in Northborough.
Serendipitous Timing
The decision to move forward with the project was mostly driven by space crunches at other Genzyme facilities. But the depressed real estate market certainly didn’t hurt the budget, according to Fitzgerald.
“We would have needed this had the market been good or bad, but the timing of the market happened to work for us,” he said.
Genzyme has approximately 1 million square feet of space in Framingham alone, and the new Northborough facility, when completed, will add another 211,000 square feet.
In addition to its operations in Framingham and Cambridge, Genzyme also has locations in Westborough, Waltham, Boston and Allston.
Fitzgerald said the Northborough project’s total budget includes about $40 million in construction costs, with another $25 million in equipment and other costs, bringing to final price tag to $65 million. The cost is driven by the exacting requirements that Genzyme operates under. Because the building will process Genzyme drugs, it will have to be certified by the Federal Drug Administration. The building will need specialized temperature and humidity controls as well as holding areas for chemicals and finished products.
Genyzme has a long-term lease on the property. The owner is Leggat McCall Properties of Boston.
The architect on the project is Signer Harris Associates of Boston and the construction company is AZ Corp. of Franklin.
Fitzgerald said the project should be completed by the fourth quarter of 2010. He estimated that 150 to 200 construction workers will be on site each day during the peak of construction.
Genzyme just opened a $125 million, 180,000-square-foot R&D center in Framingham in September of last year. The company is also building more manufacturing space in Framingham and is expanding its manufacturing space in Allston.
