New 18,800 SF Location Features Offices, Conference Rooms and Training Area
WALTHAM, MASS. – April 23, 2021 – Vantage Builders, Inc., a commercial contractor specializing in pre-construction, construction management and design-build services based in Waltham, Mass., has completed a 18,842-square-foot office renovation and build-out for UMass Lowell Research Institute (UMLRI) at Lincoln North, 55 Old Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA.
“Our new location at Lincoln North has exceeded our expectations,” said Matt McSwain, Founder and Executive Director of UMass Lowell Research Institute. “The layout and design of the new office perfectly complement our institute’s operations and will support the work and training programs that we conduct on a daily basis. We appreciate the efforts of Vantage Builders and the entire project team.”
UMLRI’s new space features work areas of varying sizes, including an open office area, private offices and huddle rooms, all to support UMLRI’s collaborative work structure. To host larger groups, there are also conference rooms and a large training area. The training area features an interior garage door that when closed hosts up to 40 people and when opened expands the space to host larger events of up to 170 people, utilizing a high-end audio-visual package with fully integrated video platforms. A new café area has room for 15-20 employees and members.
To open the office space and to install the interior garage door, Vantage had to reroute main building HVAC and service lines, including the lines for Lincoln North’s electric car chargers. Other systems work for the project included new HVAC, ductwork, heat pumps and electrical. Given the nature of the work by UMLRI, significant tel/data work was conducted, with more than 400 separate drops for data and phone installed throughout the space.
The space has an interesting design aesthetic, with exposed ductwork and building beams that contrast against the tech work being conducted. New up/down lights create a bright atmosphere that shows off the space.
The project required high levels of coordination. Many materials used in the renovation required long lead times, so Vantage coordinated orders and deliveries and provided precise planning to maintain the renovation schedule. Vantage Builders worked closely with multiple departments throughout UMass Lowell to ensure the project met all requirements, as well as with building ownership to limit work hours so that construction activity could be conducted with as little disruption as possible for adjacent tenants.
The project team included Hayes/Creager Architects and engineering services from C3 Commercial Construction Consulting. Lincoln North is owned by Real Capital Solutions. Vantage was hired for the project by Cranberry Hill Associates, property manager and former owner of Lincoln North.
“Vantage Builders excels at commercial office projects, working with building owners to add value to their assets and help them retain existing and attract new tenants,” said John Connor, Principal, Vantage Builders. “We have enjoyed working on a number of projects at Lincoln North, including tenant buildouts, office renovations and base building projects as part of ownership’s capital improvement program.”
About Vantage Builders, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Vantage Builders is a full-service construction management, general contracting and design-build firm serving corporations, building owners, developers, property managers and institutions throughout New England. Our team of professionals is dedicated to successfully completing projects – from ground-up construction to tenant improvements and renovations – that create the environments in which our clients’ employees thrive and their businesses succeed. We have extensive experience serving the corporate, retail, industrial, cannabis, healthcare and education markets. For more information, please visit www.vb-inc.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram (@vantagebuilders) and Twitter (@VantageBldrs).
About The University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Institute and Northstar Campus
The UMass Lowell Research Institute (UMLRI), located in Lincoln MA, is the Commonwealth’s newest Department of Defense (DoD) emerging technology hub providing cradle to grave innovative solutions for our aerospace and defense industry partners and the DoD acquisition life cycle. The Northstar Campus, a division of UMLRI, aims to enhance public-private partnerships between private industry, academia, and government with the charter to eliminate barriers to entry for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups. From its earliest inception through today, the Northstar Campus vision remains to create community, spark innovation, and grow business. For more information, please visit https://www.uml.edu/research-institute/ and Northstar Campus https://northstarcampus.org.