A Silicon Valley-based software firm focused on thearchitectural, engineering and construction sectors, Autodesk hasmaintained a Waltham presence for several years at 610 Lincoln St.,part of the Hobbs Brook Office Park. Sources could not say how muchspace the firm occupies, or what the rental terms are on financialsand length at Trapelo Corporate Center. One observer says the groupwill sign on for at least 10 years and predicts the pact will be"easily" priced into the $40-per-sf range, near the top of therental spectrum for suburban Boston. Route 128 Central leads theregion with an average asking rate of $32.81 per sf, according toCushman & Wakefield, but class A space in Waltham is fetchingwell above that rate.

No official acknowledgement of an agreement has beenforthcoming. Calls to the Bulfinch Cos. and Autodesk leasing agentRoy Hirshland of T3 Advisors were not returned by press deadline,but industry sources insist the tenant has committed to thebuilding at 1560 Trapelo Rd. Bulfinch secured the site two yearsago, then quickly obtained the necessary permits in time to join aflurry of speculative development that hit Waltham as the regionalrecovery solidified mid-decade. Some, such as the 200,000-sf 77CityPoint and Reservoir Woods project have already landed majortenants as they near completion, helping ease the impact ofapproximately one million sf of speculative product slated to bedelivered in suburban Boston during the first half of 2008.

Waltham's impressive performance in 2007 has carried over intothe new year, offering hope for such projects just getting underway such as Overlook Center and 175 Wyman St., the latter a335,000-sf class A development being pursued by the owners of HobbsBrook Office Park. That landlord has also benefited from the recentvelocity in leasing, with GlobeSt.com reporting earlier today thatanother prize tenant, Astra Tech, has committed tolease all of 590 Lincoln St., a Hobbs Brook building beingconverted to first class office space. That lease is for 10 years,sources claim, although an official confirmation or terms have yetto be provided.