"Avici Systems is one of the fastest growing IP solutionsproviders and needed more space to expand," explains NAI HunnemanCommercial Co. SVP James Boudrot, who negotiated lease terms forthe tenant with colleague Stephen James following a space search.The answer for Avici was not far away, says Boudrot, with the firmable to utilize real estate in the same office park as itsheadquarters. Avici Systems is based in Building Two.

Several aspects of the complex appeal to Avici Systems, relaysBoudrot, including the location in the Interstate 495 North officesubmarket. The park is situated just off Exit 37 of I-495, twostops away from Route 3. The property is also accessible via anearby commuter rail line that provides transit into Boston andLowell.

Avici Systems is one of several technology firms who haveexpanded in the I-495 North corridor this year. After leadingMassachusetts as a hub for Internet, software and other high-techactivity to begin the decade, I-495 North was crippled by thesubsequent recession, with vacancies ballooning into the mid-30%range. The difficulties lingered until recently, but I-495 hasseemingly begun its recovery. According to the latest figures fromRichards Barry Joyce & Partners, the 14-million-sf officemarket has dropped its vacancy to 26.3% after adding 363,000 sf ofpositive absorption in the past four quarters. That rate is still,however, the highest vacancy of any office submarket reviewed byRBJ, and well above the overall suburban average of 18.4%.