ABI-LAB, a bio-incubator and accelerator focused on life sciences, cut the ribbon on its third facility in Natick, MA, bringing total facility area to 112,000 square feet. As a working habitat, ABI-LAB fosters a variety of startup disciplines across stages of development. It utilizes a shared services model.

The shared services model supports technical excellence and a creative atmosphere throughout the research process, according to ABI-LAB. The facility’s build-to-suit dedicated laboratories range from 900 to 2,500 square feet. The 35,000-square-foot ABI-LAB 3 contains 10 laboratories.

“Massachusetts is the global hub of life science innovation thanks to our robust ecosystem of hospitals, research institutions, leading companies, and incubators like ABI-LAB,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, guest speaker at the ribbon-cutting. “Through the Mass Leads Act, Massachusetts is reinvesting in the tools and resources necessary to support growth in this vital industry, and we are grateful for ABI-LAB’s expansion in our state with this new facility.”

NeighborWorks Housing Solutions held the ribbon cutting of The Lincoln, a new community offering 37 units of affordable housing for seniors at the site of the former Lincoln School, 70 Highland Street in Brockton, MA.  Leasing is now underway, and the first residents are expected to move into their new homes sometime in April.

The project transformed a historic former elementary school originally constructed in the 1890s into 37 studio and one-bedroom apartment homes for seniors. Wherever possible, original elements from the schoolhouse were incorporated into the new design. 

“We’ve seen a huge increase in demand for affordable, accessible, and supportive housing, which puts more of our seniors at risk,” said Robert Corley, CEO of NeighborWorks. “These types of historical developments are some of the most challenging to take on, but we are proud to welcome you to this revitalized former school, which will now serve as a home to 37 seniors.”

The Menkiti Group celebrated the grand opening of 526-536 Main St., a transformative mixed-use redevelopment in Worcester, MA’s historic Theatre District. The restored building, historically known as the Ransom F. Taylor Block, now serves as a hub for office, commercial and retail activity, including a Workbar coworking facility.

“We are thrilled to welcome Workbar to the Theatre District and to showcase the transformation of this historic property,” said Mark Rengel, VP of development at The Menkiti Group. “The revitalization of 526-536 Main Street represents a key milestone in our commitment to creating vibrant, mixed-use spaces that honor Worcester’s history while fostering its future growth.”

Workbar will be joined by additional retail businesses, including Boston-based Alma Gaucha Prime Brazilian Steakhouse, which will open a new restaurant in the building’s retail space at Main and Chatham. Menkiti is seeing strong interest in the building’s one remaining retail space.

Development firm BFC Partners held the grand opening of The Pearl, a 100% affordable housing project located at 475 Bay St. in Stapleton, Staten Island. The 270-unit project is the first to open under the Bay Street Corridor Neighborhood Plan, intended to provide affordable housing, public open spaces, local retail and small businesses and job opportunities for residents in the community.

The development received support from key city and state programs, including NYS Homes and Community Renewal, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Extremely Low & Low-Income Affordability Program and the Voluntary Inclusionary Housing Program. Financing was provided by Wells Fargo and the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs Alternatives. 

“As a native Staten Islander, I am incredibly proud to bring community-centered, urban development solutions to our borough,” said Joseph Ferrara, principal of BFC Partners. “Securing essential housing for those in need is deeply rewarding, and the opening of The Pearl marks a significant step toward inclusivity, demonstrating our commitment to accessible housing for all.”

Simone Development Companies and Fareri Associates joined with Burke Rehabilitation at Purchase Professional Park for the ribbon cutting of its expanded Purchase/Fairfield Outpatient Therapy Site at 3020 Westchester Ave. in Purchase, NY. Elected, business and clinical leaders from across Westchester and Fairfield counties gathered to tour the facility.

Nationally recognized Burke signed a long-term lease for an additional 2,330 square feet at Purchase Professional Park, expanding its medical footprint to 5,132 square feet. Burke’s Purchase/Fairfield Outpatient Therapy Site provides services including vestibular therapy, sports medicine and rehabilitation, concussion management, orthopedic medicine and rehabilitation, and physical therapy.

“Burke Rehabilitation’s expansion at Purchase Professional Park is a testament to their commitment to providing exceptional healthcare and a powerful reminder of the vitality and innovation that defines this corridor,” said Joe Simone, president of Simone Development.

Added Scott Edelman, executive director of Burke Rehabilitation, “This facility not only enhances our ability to provide personalized, patient-centered care, but also reaffirms our commitment to the communities we serve.”

Since Covid, mixed-use developers have been forced to reconsider their formula regarding how much office space is needed. The universal adoption of hybrid working during the pandemic has decreased the amount of space companies typically lease in office buildings. Much of the focus has to do with repurposing unoccupied space. 

Original entitlements for a fourth building at the State Farm campus in Dunwoody allowed KDC to build up to 729,600 square feet of office space and 33,586 square feet of retail. Instead, KDC has proposed 300,000 square feet of office, 300 residential units, a 175-key hotel and 22,000 square feet of retail space.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports some of KDC’s partners say that they want to rent out apartments to corporations with employees who come and go. The project will not have designated affordable housing units. The request is expected to be okayed by the Dunwoody City Council.

Early Bird Registration ends soon; don’t miss hearing the expert take on the state of multifamily and single-family build-to-rent in Phoenix & Scottsdale. Connect Phoenix Multifamily & Single-Family Build-to-Rent is coming up on April 18 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Register Now!

The National Association of Realtors headquarters at 430 North Michigan Ave. in Chicago.

Redfin instructed its brokers and agents to resign from the National Association of Realtors in places where that is possible, according to a statement by the company Monday.

As a company, Redfin resigned its seat on the NAR board early this summer.

NAR President Kenny Parcell resigned in August after allegations of sexual harassment against him surfaced, and his accusers said that the organization failed to act on their complaints and in some instances retaliated against them. Parcell has denied the allegations.

Redfin, a Seattle-based online brokerage, cited the allegations along with a reported culture of intimidation and retribution as the reason for its action.

Not all of Redfin’s roughly 1,800 brokers and agents will be able to cut ties with NAR.

“In about half the U.S., including in cities like Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Long Island, Minneapolis, Nashville, Phoenix and Salt Lake City, we can’t quit NAR individually or en masse, because NAR membership is required for agents to access listing databases, lockboxes and industry-standard contracts,” the company said in its statement.

In other markets, such as Seattle, Boston and New York City, Redfin agents will no longer pay NAR dues, which will cost the organization about $1M annually, The New York Times reports.

Redfin also objects to NAR blocking sellers from listing homes that don’t pay a commission to the buyer’s agent and blocking Redfin.com and other websites from showing for sale by owner listings as well as agent-listed homes.

NAR didn’t immediately respond to Bisnow‘s request for comment about Redfin’s decision.