News: Construction Design & Engineering

A.W. Perry completes renovations
and repositioning of 40 Summer Street

Boston, MA A.W. Perry, a real estate investment and services firm with offices in Boston and Hingham, Mass., has completed renovation and repositioning of one of the city’s most iconic buildings – 40 Summer St., also known as The Summer Exchange Building. 

This five-story, 32,000 s/f office building at 40 Summer St., built after Boston’s Great Fire, was fully renovated by A.W. Perry in 1998. The original renovation preserved one of the few remaining cast-iron facades in the city.

A.W. Perry recognized the opportunity and importance of bringing a fresh perspective to the firm’s historic portfolio which it has held and managed for more than 60 years, including the Summer Exchange Building. This idea translated into a remodel of the lobby, as well as the repositioning of various office spaces.

“There is no doubt uncertainty continues to permeate the office market, but downtown Boston is, and will remain resilient,” said Mark Flaherty, president of A.W. Perry. “A.W. Perry’s portfolio is well-positioned, and our team has anticipated businesses’ changing needs, whether it is for full-time or hybrid working environments. Flexibility is key, and the importance of making each tenant’s experience seamless and enjoyable remains our top priority.” 

40 Summer St. is accessed through the second-floor lobby of 101 Arch St. and includes four floors of office space served by a lobby highlighted by mahogany and bronze elevators. Tenants of the Summer Exchange enjoy the amenities of 101 Arch St. without having to go outside. This includes direct access to the MBTA, retail, and banking facilities. 

Two newly renovated full-floor spec suites are now available at the Summer Exchange Building. Paired with the recognition of the building address and convenience of local amenities, the new contemporary design suits a broad range of potential office working environments. 

The A.W. Portfolio extends well beyond the beloved Summer Exchange Building. For nearly 140 years, A.W. Perry, Inc. has contributed to the fabric and economy of the city of Boston and the South Shore through its real estate holdings and community investments. Today, under the management of the fifth generation of the Perry family, A.W. Perry is known for premier properties such as 20 Winthrop Sq., The Berkeley at 420 Boylston St., and 77 Franklin St. in Boston and those in its South Shore Park campus in Hingham, Mass.

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