Autodesk Seen Leasing 65,000-SF Spec Building

WALTHAM, MA-Another large space opportunity appears ready to be erased from Route 128 Central’s super-tight office market inventory, as Autodesk has reportedly agreed to lease all of the Trapelo Corporate Center. The three-story, 65,000-sf speculative building is being developed by the Bulfinch Cos. of Needham, which anticipates completion in the second quarter. The structure hopes to secure LEED certification for environmental sustainability.

A Silicon Valley-based software firm focused on the architectural, engineering and construction sectors, Autodesk has maintained a Waltham presence for several years at 610 Lincoln St., part of the Hobbs Brook Office Park. Sources could not say how much space the firm occupies, or what the rental terms are on financials and length at Trapelo Corporate Center. One observer says the group will 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 the rental spectrum for suburban Boston. Route 128 Central leads the region with an average asking rate of $32.81 per sf, according to Cushman & Wakefield, but class A space in Waltham is fetching well above that rate.