"Waltham is the sole center of speculative development," BrendanCarroll, a researcher with Richards Barry Joyce and Partner'sBoston office, tells GlobeSt.com. Carroll says demand for officespace is so strong, in fact, that developers are moving ahead withbuilding plans despite any widespread tenant commitments.

"Because of low vacancy rates within class A buildings, whichare presently under 10%, demand continues unabated," says Carroll,who is presently tracking 1.6 million sf in speculative projects inthe Waltham market alone.

Driving that development, says Carroll, is Waltham's proximityto a highly skilled labor base and the city's historical status asone of the first office markets developed in Boston's suburbs. "Itis presently the most prestigious address to be associated with inthe Boston suburban market," Carroll notes, adding that the demandfor space in the Watch City is reflective of an ongoing flight toquality by local businesses.