The buyer's family is best known for its Shops at Whitinsvillemill restoration in Northbridge and projects in downtown Boston.Endeavors there include, Janelon's longtime home in the DowntownCrossing District, overhauled in the 1970s by Sidney Covich, whodied in 2004 at the age of 85, still negotiating real estate deals.One of his most prominent undertakings was the 1980s' renovation of600 Washington St. near Boston's Chinatown. Covering a full cityblock, the structure was upgraded during the area's darkest days,but managed to attract a bevy of public service agencies and backoffice users. Coincidentally, 600 Washington St. is now owned byNewton-based Northland.

Janelon Trust is affiliated with WRT Management, run by LeonardJolles, Covich's son-in-law and former partner. Efforts to contactJolles and Northland officials by press deadline were unsuccessful.R.W. Holmes Realty orchestrated the Locke Dr. deal, with VP BillSullivan representing Janelon and principal Garry Holmes handlingthe sales campaign for Northland. Among the attractions forJanelon, Holmes explains, was the ability to acquire awell-constructed building below replacement cost in an improvingoffice market. "Marlborough is finally seeing some rentappreciation," says the veteran broker, noting a continuedmigration of companies from the tight Framingham and Natick marketsto Interstate 495 West, which has rebounded in the past two yearsafter being hit by the technology crash that began in 2001.

Janelon will have to assume a measure of leasing risk, accedesHolmes, as Sepracor is moving out of 25,000 sf of office space to anew building in the market. The firm will, however, stay in about27,000 sf of laboratory space on a long-term basis. Another 3,000sf not being leased by Sepracor is also available for rent in thebuilding, which opened in 1985. Locke Dr. is the second propertyacquired, recently, in Marlborough by WRT Management, havingearlier this year purchased a former firehouse on Route 20.