Project of the Month: Timberline Construction renovates 58,000 s/f for Sarepta Therapeutics’ HQ’s at Athenaeum Press Bldg.

Cambridge, MA Sarepta Therapeutics, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, expanded their headquarters at 215 First St., by acquiring two additional floors at the historic Athenaeum Press Building. Timberline Construction completed a 58,000 s/f logistically complex renovation on the 3^rd and 4^th floor. The project features a three-tier waterfall feature into a 20-foot koi fish pond, a visually stunning green wall, two 26-foot by 26-foot sky lights, and an interconnecting monumental staircase between the two floors. This space also includes open concept office areas, conference space, huddle rooms, a catering and servery area, and café.

Robert Fay, senior director of facilities and capital assets for Sarepta Therapeutics noted, “I direct all aspects of facilities operations and construction for Sarepta and it is paramount to have a true partnership with a highly-skilled and reliable construction manager. Timberline is that partner. The construction efforts to our headquarters in Cambridge have been a massive undertaking and the Timberline team has been a key contributor to achieving our vision and goals. I look forward to our next project!” 

The 3^rd and 4^th floor now boasts 12,000 s/f of conference space containing three planar video walls (6.5 feet x 16.5 feet) with two Modern Fold partitions and Pulp switch glass. Timberline managed this high-end renovation hand-in-hand with R.E. Dinneen Architects & Planners, DPS Group and CBRE. 

Bob Johnston, managing partner for R.E. Dinneen Architects & Planners said, “Successful project execution demands an active partnership between all stakeholders. Timberline always adds substantive value to problem solving and is a true partner to the process.”

Timberline’s executive vice president and partner, Tim McManus, provided complete executive oversight from preconstruction through close-out. Field operations were led by Keith Pearson, senior superintendent, and the project management was overseen by Marc Bullio, senior project manager, and Connor Mahoney, assistant project manager. 

The Timberline team tightly coordinated all construction with Sarepta and the landlord, due to the facilities’ high pedestrian traffic. To support the expanded operations for Sarepta, the project also included strict shutdowns and tie-ins for new mechanical systems. The new equipment on the rooftop of the Athenaeum Press Building includes two generators, two 500+ MBH RTUs and two 600+ MBH RTUs, along with the associated structural steel dunnage. The generators are 5kw with an automatic transfer switch and uninterrupted power supply.

Sarepta Therapeutics has made Timberline their go-to construction management firm since 2015 as their company has grown at an ever-increasing pace. Timberline has kept pace with Sarepta’s growth with renovations and expansions on four floors of Sarepta’s headquarters location at 215 First St. To date, Timberline has completed over 90,000 s/f of interior renovations within this building to expand Sarepta’s office and laboratory space. They have also has completed substantial work at their campus in Andover including a laboratory addition, interior renovations and infrastructure upgrades.

Timberline is grateful to have such a long history and strong partnership with Sarepta, R.E. Dinneen, DPS Group and CBRE. 

The project team include:

• Timberline Construction - Construction Manager
• Florence Electric - Electrical
• Imperial Construction Corp. - Demolition
• J&M Professional Painting Corp. - Painting
• Business Interiors Floor Coverings, Inc - Flooring
• Inspired Technology and Communications - Low Voltage, AV, Network
• R.E. Dinneen Architects & Planners, Inc. - Architect
• Wayside Glass and Mirror Co. Inc. - Glass
• WoodCraft Designers & Builders - Architectural Millwork