A pioneer in developing life science space here, Forest City is creating a new front door to its 2.5M SF University Park. Science & Technology Group president Frank Wuest (who will be a panelist at Bisnow’s 4th annual Life Science Summit, April 29, register here) will share details about the 245k SF build-to-suit that’s now under construction for one of the developer’s major tenants, Millennium, The Takeda Oncology Co. Forest City’s new lab/office building at 300 Massachusetts Ave is adjacent to University Park and across the street from Novartis' new complex. Forest City opened University Park—now 1.5M SF of lab/office space, 700 residential apartments and a hotel—in the late '80s when Central Square was still funky. (Weren't we all.)

Frank says the new building is a great opportunity to create a new front door for University Park (remember to wipe your shoes before going through) and bring 15k SF of retail to the neighborhood, including a restaurant with outdoor patio. Forest City is targeting strong local operators for its retail tenants. As one if the fastest-growing life science markets in the country, Forest City continues to work with small- to medium-size life science companies and the large pharmaceutical firms that have led the construction boom here, he says.