Through a spokesperson, KS principal Kambiz Shahbazi confirms to GlobeSt.com that his firm has agreed to buy 47 Manning Rd. in Billerica and 130 New Boston St. in Woburn in two separate transactions. While Shahbazi would not discuss specifics, citing confidentiality agreements, a source tracking the activity estimates the 57,000-sf Woburn building will fetch just under $6.5 million. It is owned by the Grossman Cos. of Quincy. The 37,000-sf Billerica property will trade for about $1.5 million, according to the source.

Neither building was actively marketed, with the Woburn deal introduced to KS Partners by Mike Marcone of Quincy based Marcone Capital. The Grossman Cos., another veteran player in the Massachusetts real estate market, acquired 130 New Boston St. 10 years ago this month for $5.3 million. The building prior to that had been owned by Au Bon Pain Co. Occupancy is presently about 55%.

Staubach Co. broker John Lynch is reported to be the catalyst behind the 47 Manning Rd. agreement, bringing KS Partners the opportunity on behalf of the owners, a Japanese firm seeking to disencumber itself from the vacant property.

KS Partners is wasting little time preparing for the next life of each building, having retained NAI Hunneman as leasing agent for 130 New Boston St. and the Stubblebine Co. at 47 Manning Rd. The latter firm has already found a 10,000-sf tenant in the Gerard Group, which is preparing to move in shortly after KS closes on the deal. First Trade Union Savings Bank has committed to provide acquisition financing for each property.

Since Shahbazi's arrival on the southern New England scene more than a decade ago, the New York City investor has established a reputation for repositioning flex and office properties regardless of market conditions, today owning assets from Andover in northern Massachusetts to Braintree on the South Shore. KS Partners presently, for example, is upgrading a 10-building, 417,000-sf portfolio acquired in Braintree earlier this year for $52 million. Shahbazi also has a major presence in Billerica, where the firm's regional headquarters is located and where it owns five buildings.