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Vantage Builders recently finished a complete restack of 343 Winter Street in Waltham, on behalf of Hobbs Brook Real Estate, a subsidiary of FM Global. As part of its plans to lease the three-story office building, to either a solo occupier or multiple tenants, Hobbs Brook hired Vantage Builders to renovate, upgrade and transform the common areas and demo existing tenant areas to create “white box” space, ready for new occupants. As the project progressed, with the Vantage team successfully completing each aspect, Hobbs Brook expanded the scope to include additional work. The main entrance lobby on the second floor was opened up to create a new, multi-level lobby atrium, which required removing steel and decking sections of the third floor, as well as the installation of new custom cable railings.   The third floor roof balcony was retrofitted with new exterior perimeter railings, roof and insulation, meeting all code requirements, and both entrances were updated to meet ADA standards. The bathrooms throughout were completely renovated, elevator finishes were updated, and new, full-height double glass doors were installed at all tenant entrances off the common areas. The building features a new fire alarm system and new HVAC with a rooftop unit, hydronic piping loop system and boilers. Exterior work included an updated main entrance, new ADA standard ramps and automatic door openers, and a repaved parking lot with granite curbing. In early 2022, 343 Winter Street was awarded LEED Core and Shell Gold rating certification. 

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Charlestown, MA | 15,000 SF | Visnick & Caulfield

Soon after purchasing 40 Warren Street, DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners began a capital program to redevelop the 53,000-SF mixed-use building. As part of the plans, DLJ added a fourth floor to the original building and hired Vantage Builders to convert the second floor from parking to Class A office space. The Vantage team completely transformed the former parking level, creating a floor plan that features a large open office area and four glass-walled conference rooms, that support collaborative work teams of varying sizes. Redesigning office space that previously had been planned for parking created certain challenges. The Vantage and Visnick & Caulfield teams were in constant communication throughout the project, particularly to complete mechanical, electrical, plumbing and HVAC coordination that required real-time updates from the onsite superintendent. The office area has an interesting design aesthetic that will appeal to tenants, with exposed ductwork and building support columns, which feature intricate new capitals. The building offers expansive views of Boston via its plentiful windows and Vantage installed new lighting with timers to complement the abundant natural lighting that fills the new office area.

Waltham, MA | Multiple projects

Berkeley Investments has been a Vantage Builders client since the firm was founded in 2000. Vantage has completed projects at numerous Berkeley assets, helping the building owner increase occupancy rates and improve tenant retention. At the Watch Factory, a 400,000-square-foot mixed-use development located along the Charles River in Waltham, Vantage has completed more than a dozen projects, helping Berkeley welcome new tenants with office build-outs, renovate or expand existing offices and complete tenant improvements, as well as perform base building and common area upgrades. Being engaged in so many projects at one location has enabled Vantage to develop an excellent working relationship with the Berkeley property management team and its numerous subcontractors. The Vantage team has also gained a thorough understanding of all the building’s systems, including HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Vantage has worked with Watch Factory tenants in a wide range of industries, including Devoted Health, Takeoff Technologies, Radius Innovation & Development, connectRN, CyberX and LumiraDX. 

Cambridge, MA | 2,500 SF | Fusion Design Consultants

swissnex is a network of science and technology offices whose mission is to connect Switzerland and the United States through education, research, innovation, and arts initiatives. Vantage Builders completely revamped swissnex Boston’s East Coast hub, which opened in 2000 as its first U.S. outpost. The new space features an open and welcoming atmosphere, with intricate lighting and décor. The flooring combines new hardwood with refurbished wood from the original office, symbolizing the long-lasting and future relationships between the two countries. Vantage installed a custom acoustic ceiling that was built by a vendor in Switzerland and shipped to Cambridge. A new server room supports the data and telecom needs of the office.

Lincoln, MA | Multiple projects

Real Capital Solutions, a Colorado-based national real estate owner, purchased Lincoln North in 2018 and began a capital improvement program to help retain existing tenants and to increase occupancy at the 125,682-SF office building. As part of the capital improvements, Vantage Builders completely renovated the building’s cafeteria, built a new corporate conference room and small meeting room, and performed upgrades to the exterior, including significant outdoor lighting. Additionally, RCS hired Vantage to complete tenant fit-out projects for Thompson Habib Denison, UMass Lowell Research Institute, Vodia Networks and Georgia Tech Research Institute. In each of the projects, the Vantage team displayed great care to minimize disruption and impact to the employees in the very active, three-story building. 
 

Waltham, MA | 15,000 SF | Fusion Design Consultants

Vantage Builders has worked on a number of projects for Albany Road Real Estate Partners, from Waltham to Westborough to Springfield. In the lobby area of 51 Sawyer Road in Waltham, Vantage created a more welcoming, bright environment, first by removing a large and imposing decorative staircase that had connected the first and second floors and also by installing all-new flooring, ceilings, paint and lighting. The elevator surrounds include metal wall paneling and decorative moss. In the adjoining café, the kitchen and service areas were given aesthetic enhancements, while the seating area was expanded to support additional diners and to allow better flow. New finishes, abundant lighting and new furniture help to create a more relaxing atmosphere.

Lincoln, MA | 17,000 SF | Hayes/Creager Architects

The University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Institute (UMLRI) develops innovative solutions for a wide range of defense and commercial customers. Vantage Builders renovated UMLRI’s satellite campus in Lincoln, MA creating multiple private offices, conference rooms, and a training area. The space features a highly technical audio-visual package with fully integrated video platforms. The project included new duct work throughout, as well as a full data package to support the Institute’s heavy network requirements. Many materials used in the renovation required long lead times, so Vantage coordinated orders and deliveries and provided precise planning that maintained the renovation schedule. Vantage Builders worked closely with multiple departments throughout the University of Massachusetts, Lowell as well as the tenant in the adjacent occupied suite to minimize disruptions to all user groups.

Andover, MA | 23,000 SF | McGuinness Group

Vantage began by completely gutting the two floors, to create an open area to build on plans from project architects, the McGuinness Group. A striking glass staircase was built between the second and third floors, to enable collaboration among the growing team. The office features high-end millwork and attractive translucent partitions from 3form provide an intriguing design element while also boosting the interior’s natural light. The expanded space features 22 offices and room for 97 workstations, 4 conference rooms and a 16-person board room. A new presentation room that accommodates 60 people also serves as a lunch room, providing a nice place for employees to gather. A pre-action fire sprinkler system, which protects computer equipment from accidental activation, was installed in the server room. The server room was also outfitted with a separate cooling system.

Devens, MA | 24,000 SF | Vision 3 Architects

Quiet Logistics, a leader in third-party fulfillment solutions, expanded within its headquarters building and hired Vantage Builders for the build-out. Using a Design-Build model, Vantage acted as project lead, directing the team members from Vision 3 Architects, our subcontractors and Quiet Logistics’ internal resources. Vantage built a 27-foot high demising wall to separate the new office and warehouse sections. The office area features 20 renovated offices, meeting rooms ranging from small huddle rooms to a large conference room, and a new café area. The space has new ceilings, carpeting, paint, and laminate flooring, as well as new electrical and telecommunications/data. The newly renovated space combines seamlessly with the rest of Quiet Logistics’ presence in the building and creates a welcoming environment for employees and visitors alike.

Boston, MA | 5,000 SF | Fusion Design Consultants

Vantage Builders completed the renovation of Reward Gateway’s new U.S. headquarters, located at 141 Tremont St. in Boston, overlooking the Boston Common. Reward Gateway, an employee engagement technology company, opened the office to support its rapid growth in the U.S. The office design, which follows that of the firm’s London hub, reflects and promotes Reward Gateway’s mission of making the world a better place to work. Vantage did a complete fit-out of the 4,515-square-foot office from vacant space on the building’s eighth floor. The space puts a high premium on collaboration and enabling cooperative work based on company and project goals rather than on fixed seating locations. There are huddle areas of various sizes, open workspace sections and even quiet reflection rooms for focus and thought. Many walls feature markerboard paint for easily capturing and sharing ideas.