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We are
Kendall Common

Embedded within an internationally recognized innovation district, our mission is to nurture the vibrancy that comes from diversity. A neighborhood with unexpected experiences uplifting the everyday, a place driven by community spirit, and a destination full of creative collisions that advance life for everyone.
Aerial view of MITs campus along Charles River with Boston skyline in background.

Kendall Common is the result of collective progress: From past, present, and to the futureKendall Common is the result of collective progress, past, present, and future

Team members collaborate at a bright meeting table while reviewing documents and digital materials.
From energetic community engagement, 100+ Meetings over ten years
MITs Stata Center features angular metal walls and irregular windows in deconstructivist architectural style.
The most innovative square mile on the planet since 2010
Female scientist in white lab coat and purple gloves conducts experiment at laboratory workstation.
Over 50,000 people working in the area

Connecting Science with SocietyConnecting Science with Society

With so much globally recognized talent in this small corner of the world, the people of Kendall Common will supercharge advances in human health, technology, and beyond. This new neighborhood is inspired by core MIT values and insights from our local Cambridge residents.
Three professional women walking together in office, sharing smiles and holding work documents.
Man stands in modern office interior with LED lighting and minimalist workspace design.
Confident professional in wheelchair seated in modern office with exposed brick walls and LED lighting.

The Kendall Story

Located in Cambridge, MA, Kendall Square is our foundation: an internationally recognized innovation district that is propelled by the synergies of imagination and ingenuity.Located in Cambridge, MA, Kendall Square is our foundation: an internationally recognized innovation district that is propelled by the synergies of imagination and ingenuity.

1876

Researchers in suits work at a long laboratory bench with early electrical testing equipment.
Vannevar Bush, with the first modern analog computer Photo by Hazen, Harold Locke
The first phone call takes place between the offices of Alexander Graham Bell in Boston and Thomas Watson in Cambridge at 700 Main Street.

1916

Aerial view of MITs historic main campus along Charles River, featuring neoclassical Great Dome architecture.
Image courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration, NAID 23941281, via Wikimedia Commons.
MIT relocated from Boston to its new home in Cambridge.

1939

Workers install solar panels on a cottage-style house with porch in 1939.
MIT scientists build the first fully solar-powered house.

1951

Massive wall of early computer equipment with oscilloscopes and modular components in black and white.
TXE1 electronic exchange system Photo by Deben Dave
After 3 years of construction, MIT Project Whirlwind is one of the first digital electronic computers in existence and the first to use magnetic core memory.

1955

Laboratory researcher in suit works amid intricate setup of glass distillation equipment in 1955.
Photo Courtesy MIT Museum
MIT organic chemist John Clark Sheehan discovers synthetic penicillin. This becomes one of the most important innovations in the field of modern medicine.

1964

Aerial view of Boston showing Charlestown waterfront, industrial areas, and Charles River in 1967.
NASA selects Kendall Square to be the site of its new Electronic Research Control Center, focusing on developing systems for communications, information display, and automated spacecraft landings.

1968

Front control panel of an early ARPANET Interface Message Processor with buttons and indicator lights.
ARPA selects Bolt Beranek and Newman (BBN) to develop Interface Message Processors. Three years later, MIT alumnus and BBN employee Ray Tomlinson sends the first e-mail between two computers.

1969

Astronaut and technicians in white suits prepare Apollo spacecraft during pre-launch testing at NASA facility.
Engineers at the MIT Instrumentation Lab (now Draper Laboratory) develop a guidance computer to navigate Apollo 11 to the moon and back.

1982

Laboratory sample carousel with glass vials and yellow pipette tips on a perforated platform.
Biogen, a company founded to emphasize breakthroughs in biology, establishes its headquarters in Kendall Square.

1996

Whitehead Institute logo with purple letter W and text against white background.
The Whitehead Institute, renowned as a top research institution in molecular biology and genetics, becomes an integral part of the Human Genome Project.

1998

Man looks ahead in front of illuminated screens showing globe in dark room.
Tom Leighton is a professor at MIT's Department of Applied Mathematics and CEO and co-founder of Akamai Technologies, a Cambridge-based internet content delivery network company. Leighton is photographed here in the offices of Akamai Technologies near Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
MIT professor Tom Leighton and his student team launch Akamai, a company that leverages algorithms to shorten the “World Wide Wait” in Internet content delivery and alleviate network congestion.

1999

Modern glass and steel entrance of One Broadway building in Cambridge with landscaped sidewalk.
One Broadway, Cambridge, MA
Cambridge Innovation Center opens, attracting numerous technology startups to Kendall Square and inspiring a wave of venture capital firms to follow.

2001

White geodesic radome next to tan building against blue sky.
Scientists publish the first draft of the Human Genome Project, sparking a new era of biomedical research and a new model for science that launches the Broad Institute.
(genome image option in the folder)

2003

Modern glass Novartis headquarters building rises above historic brick structures in Cambridges urban landscape.
Courtesy photo Novartis
The relocation of pharmaceutical company Novartis ushers in a new era for Kendall Square as a hub for life sciences companies.

2007

Modern Microsoft office building with brick exterior and diagonal glass atrium corner rising skyward.
Microsoft opens its New England Research and Development Center. In 2014, it was considered the Best Place to Work in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal.

2008

Large circular artworks with glowing patterns mounted on white gallery walls, visitors observing exhibition.
The dedication of the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research is held. The LEED Gold-certified building opens, prepared to support more than 40 laboratories and 500+ researchers on site and throughout the campus.

2016

Modern space featuring The Engine digital display with financial metrics and contemporary furniture.
MIT launched The Engine, a new kind of enterprise designed to support startup companies working on scientific and technological innovation with the potential for transformative societal impact.

2017

Modernist building with vertical columns and classical colonnade behind winter trees against blue sky.
Redevelopment of the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center begins, with aims of turning the federally-owned 14-acre parcel in Kendall Square into a more vibrant mixed-use site that will benefit MIT’s mission and the Cambridge community.

2023

Modern white office building with angular design, surrounded by autumn trees and landscaped walkways.
Redevelopment of the John. A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center completes.

the present day

real estate that puts people first

MITIMCo advances culture and progress through real estate that puts people first.

MITIMCo works on behalf of MIT to make a better world by creating inspiring and inclusive spaces, memorable experiences and sustainable infrastructure for the Cambridge community.
Find Out More

Collaborators

Dead trees along lake shore with egrets wading below and dark birds perched above.

Stantec

Surveyor civil engineering
A multidisciplinary firm who innovates at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships, focusing on enhancing global community life. Visit
Modern glass retail building with landscaped walkways, trees, and gathering spaces for pedestrians.

CBT Architects

Architects
CBT delivers timeless, high-quality designs through a collaborative culture and consensus-building approach, ensuring projects are both impactful and achievable.
Visit
Modern apartment building with dark exterior illuminated at sunset, featuring lit balconies and landscaped walkways.

JGE

Architects
A Boston-based, minority-owned architecture and design firm specializes in a diverse range of projects, focusing on collaborative, innovative solutions that honor the unique spirit and identity of each space.Visit
Modern city skyline at sunset with high-rise buildings against golden clouds.

FX Collaborative

Landscape architect
A firm that intertwines intelligence, intuition, and interconnectedness to forge sustainable, culturally resonant, and socially responsible environments.Visit
Colorful yellow and green umbrellas shade tables in a downtown plaza with brick pavers.

Merritt Chase

Landscape architect
The team specializes in landscape architecture and urban design, committed to crafting significant and memorable public spaces.Visit
Modern building entrance with golden maple tree canopy, glass doors, and purple flowering border.

EMBARC

Architects
The team focuses on designing vibrant spaces that encourage living, working, and thriving, embracing collaboration and diversity to enrich community-centric projects.Visit
Modern urban plaza with rust-colored metal railings, concrete paths, trees, and pedestrians gathering.

Studio Luz Architects

Architects
Studio Luz Architects innovates with space, materials, and sustainability, focusing on social engagement and impactful design.Visit
Modern apartment building with wooden balconies, bamboo screens, and copper-green base among palm trees.

Perkins & Will

Architects
Perkins&Will is renowned for its architecture that goes beyond mere aesthetics, focusing on storytelling and community enhancement, underpinned by a dedication to societal betterment that has guided its philosophy for over eighty years.Visit
Modern glass skyscraper with illuminated entrance surrounded by foliage landscaping at dusk.

NBBJ

Architects
An ideas-driven design firm with over 80 years of experience rooted in empathy, research, and inclusivity, focusing on promoting health, community, and a zero-carbon future. Visit
Modern mixed-use urban building with retail storefronts and apartments under twilight sky in Boston.

DREAM Collaborative

Architects
A firm focusing on creating supportive environments for equity, growth, and cultural richness.Visit
Modern tiered campus building with Adirondack chairs on lawn and winding pathways on a sunny day.

Atelier Ten

Architects
An environmental design consultancy who creates high-performance, sustainable buildings that are efficient and uplifting by providing innovative solutions for clients of all scales. Visit
Modern building with curved roofline, glass walls, and train sculpture on landscaped grounds.

G2

Landscape architect
A creative landscape architecture firm dedicated to integrating environmentally smart technologies with impactful design, to foster community, vibrant social settings, and ecological richness.Visit
Modern office building with dramatic cantilevered design glowing at sunset against pink, orange, and blue sky.

Graffito SP

Architects
Founded in 2007 in Cambridge, MA, Graffito SP has evolved from revitalizing Kendall Square's retail spaces to a dynamic firm operating nationwide, dedicated to enriching neighborhoods. Visit
Modern office interior with tiered wooden seating platforms and glass partitions for collaborative workspace.

Moody Nolan

Surveyor civil engineering
A firm that leverages the built environment to drive social change, integrating architecture, interior, and experiential design to create spaces that foster culture, community connection, and improve lives. Visit
Grey building in the city with reflective glass panels with green grass in the front of it and a walking path.

Elkus Manfredi

Architects
A full-service design firm specializing in architecture, urban design, and various other disciplines to create inclusive, innovative environments for work, living, learning, and play.Visit
Modern glass building illuminated at dusk with angular roof and transparent walls.

Reed Hilderbrand

Landscape architect
A practicing landscape architecture since the mid-1990s, collaborates with a diverse range of partners to create culturally significant landscapes. Visit
Illuminated waterfront plaza with modern buildings, green roofs, and pedestrians enjoying the nighttime atmosphere.

Grayscale Collaborative

Architects
An urban design and planning firm specializes in creating inclusive communities and equitable infrastructures through innovative partnerships and cross-disciplinary approaches.Visit
Cityscape during golden hour with highways and modern glass buildings against sunset sky.
Historic MIT brick clocktower building meets modern glass skyscraper in Cambridges Kendall Square.
Modern glass skylight atrium with white geometric beams creating dramatic patterns against blue sky.
Three office workers talk at wooden desk in a bright office with wooden paneled walls.
Modern urban park with manicured lawns, red brick buildings and circular metal sculpture.

Mitimco Recent Successes

  • Kendall Square Initiatives

    MIT has engaged in a collaborative effort with the local community to transform Kendall Square into a more vibrant and diverse area since 2010. Recognized as the most innovative square mile globally, this area underwent a five-year planning process. This initiative, shaped by input from both MIT and the Cambridge community and supported by several vital studies, is now ready to introduce a vibrant mix of residential, laboratory, retail, innovative, and recreational spaces, including a new home for the MIT Museum.
    Historic MIT brick clocktower building meets modern glass skyscraper in Cambridges Kendall Square.

  • Osborn Triangle

    Situated in the life science hub of Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA, Osborn Triangle stands as a top-tier office and lab complex. It features three buildings located at 610 Main St. North, 1 Portland St, and 700 Main St, spanning a total of 667,000 square feet. This campus also offers a parking garage with 650 spaces. Hosting leading pharmaceutical companies, its notable tenants are Pfizer, Novartis International AG, and LabCentral.
    Modern glass skylight atrium with white geometric beams creating dramatic patterns against blue sky.

  • Technology Square

    Technology Square, commonly referred to as Tech Square, is a commercial office building complex locates in Cambridge's Kendall Square neighborhood, right next to the MIT campus.
    Three office workers talk at wooden desk in a bright office with wooden paneled walls.

  • University Park

    University Park at MIT is an urban mixed-use redevelopment project situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It's located near Central Square, nestled between the MIT campus and the residential area of Cambridgeport, combining diverse urban features.
    Modern urban park with manicured lawns, red brick buildings and circular metal sculpture.
Historic MIT brick clocktower building meets modern glass skyscraper in Cambridges Kendall Square.

Kendall Square Initiatives

MIT has engaged in a collaborative effort with the local community to transform Kendall Square into a more vibrant and diverse area since 2010. Recognized as the most innovative square mile globally, this area underwent a five-year planning process. This initiative, shaped by input from both MIT and the Cambridge community and supported by several vital studies, is now ready to introduce a vibrant mix of residential, laboratory, retail, innovative, and recreational spaces, including a new home for the MIT Museum.
Modern glass skylight atrium with white geometric beams creating dramatic patterns against blue sky.

Osborn Triangle

Situated in the life science hub of Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA, Osborn Triangle stands as a top-tier office and lab complex. It features three buildings located at 610 Main St. North, 1 Portland St, and 700 Main St, spanning a total of 667,000 square feet. This campus also offers a parking garage with 650 spaces. Hosting leading pharmaceutical companies, its notable tenants are Pfizer, Novartis International AG, and LabCentral.
Three office workers talk at wooden desk in a bright office with wooden paneled walls.

Technology Square

Technology Square, commonly referred to as Tech Square, is a commercial office building complex locates in Cambridge's Kendall Square neighborhood, right next to the MIT campus.
Modern urban park with manicured lawns, red brick buildings and circular metal sculpture.

University Park

University Park at MIT is an urban mixed-use redevelopment project situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It's located near Central Square, nestled between the MIT campus and the residential area of Cambridgeport, combining diverse urban features.

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