One Brattle stands at the epicenter of one of the nation’s most iconic academic and cultural districts, Harvard Square. A distinctive, six-story building with generous ceilings, flexible floorplates, and thoughtful architectural setbacks—it had all the markings of a Beacon building. But for us, elevating our tenants’ lifestyles means considering life beyond the building interiors, and that’s where we saw that One Brattle could really shine; it’s just steps from Harvard Yard, Cambridge Commons, and plenty of public transit. By activating the building’s ground floor retail and making key improvements, we reimagined One Brattle as a destination not only for tenants, but also students, shoppers, and tourists alike.

Curating a dynamic destination 

Harvard Square’s vibrant streetscape became a core focus of our strategy for One Brattle. Through capital improvements and a curated retail placemaking, our goal was to infuse new energy into the building and its surroundings, elevating the day-to-day experience for all to enjoy. By improving the retail spaces and enhancing the property’s street presence, we attracted a collection of sought-after national and international lifestyle brands: 

• Van Leeuwen – Premium ice cream concept with 75 locations across the US.  

• Chip City – Innovative cookie concept backed by Danny Meyer (founder of Shake Shack and several NYC restaurants) with 40 locations spread across the US.  

• Daily Provisions Café – Danny Meyer’s acclaimed full-service restaurant concept expanding from New York City. 

• Studs – Contemporary jewelry and piercing retailer with 25 locations.  

Building for an innovative future

In parallel to these retail enhancements, we also made key infrastructure improvements and secured anchor tenants to ensure the building’s long-term viability. We modernized the building systems, integrated sustainable, energy-efficient upgrades, and improved the building’s facade, readying the historic property for today’s most forward-looking tenants. That vision was all validated when we secured a major educational institution for a 10-year extension, a milestone in the property’s energizing leasing momentum.