Located primarily in eastern Massachusetts, the KS portfolio is not only bucking a typically torpid time for leasing, but one that this summer has been deemed particularly lethargic. KS Partners is "buried," says Macnamara, reporting 63 serious negotiations in play. "It has been busy across the board," he relays, citing four Massachusetts deals nearing completion at the Dedham Executive Center in the Route 128 South market, while 700 Technology Park Dr. in Billerica, MA, is about to reach full occupancy. The adjacent 900 Technology Park Dr. this week is welcoming Aastra Telecom US into nearly half of that 40,000-sf building, while an affiliate of Caritas Christi has committed to 21,000 sf at 3 Riverside Dr. in Andover, MA. Also, Becker College just took 4,600 sf at 337 Turnpike Rd. in Southborough, a 39,000-sf flex/office building owned by KS in suburban Boston's MetroWest market.

As for 9 Townsend West, one letter of intent is in place for a substantial piece of the 87,000 sf still available, and Macnamara says exclusive leasing agent Thomas Farrelly of Cushman & Wakefield's New Hampshire office has plenty of prospects circling over the remaining portion. The commitment by data storage giant EMC further enhances the address, says Macnamara, with the firm expanding by 17,000 sf. "It was a great deal to get done," he says.

Besides experienced on-site property management, 9 Townsend West has the physical attributes to attract technology firms, says Macnamara, who spent several years repositioning the former Digital Equipment Corp. headquarters in Maynard from an aging mill complex into one that today houses a slate of 21st century enterprises such as Monster.com.

Constructed in 1987 during the first Massachusetts tech boom, 9 Townsend West has a solid constitution and heavy power load needed by such firms, says Macnamara, but also a level of finishes tenants require to attract and retain employees. "This property is ideal for growing companies with additional space requirements," he says, with other benefits including an exit right off Route 3, a recently widened roadway whose upgrade is allowing Nashua to tap into the northern Massachusetts labor pool.

Farrelly was broker for KS Partners in the EMC lease. The Becker College assignment was handled by New Dover Associates President Scott Hughes, SVP Stephen Bradley and Associates John Hughes and Richard Morocco, with the Framingham-based real estate firm representing both KS Partners and the tenant. Meredith & Grew broker Robert Cronin negotiated for the Caritas Christi affiliate, Valley Health Systems, in the Andover deal, while Equitable Real Estate Solutions principal Mark Carangelo handled the Aastra Telecom lease for the tenant. Codman Co. principal Christopher Curley joined Macnamara as landlord representatives for the Aastra and Valley Health leases.