Call Center Company in Cambridge, MA

The 80-unit Riverview Condominiums at 221 Mount Auburn St. overlooking the glittering Charles River will be demolished, the condo’s board of trustees said Thursday. The news comes half a year after an announcement to owners that they needed to evacuate due to structural issues discovered during a 2023 roof renovation.

The eight-story building, in what residents described as a tight-knit community, has been empty since the winter.

To prepare for the demolition, residents of the adjacent building at 22-28 Bradbury St. are being told to move out by early summer, said a spokesperson for the condo’s management company in an email. The Bradbury townhouses are part of the same condominium association and were built at the same time, but they do not suffer from Riverview’s structural issues. Bradbury needs to be vacated because utility connections for the building runs through Riverview, the spokesperson said.

“Conversations continue among the residents about the future sale of the Riverview property,” said Rachael Dane, the spokesperson, in the same email describing the demolition decision.

The process of demolishing the building, which will require various assessments and a permit application to the city, is in the early stages, and details around selling the property need to be ironed out. But the condominium owners that Cambridge Day could reach were thankful for some resolution on what to do with the building.

“For those of us who have lived there, it’s sad – but it’s just not fixable,” said condo owner Judy Kugel, referring to the Riverview. “I’m relieved they’ve made a decision.”

“It’s heartbreaking, but really good news it’s going to get resolved. It’s been up in the air for months,” said Judy Foreman, another condo owner and a former Boston Globe columnist. “It has to be demolished.”

Riverview’s original construction

According to a November analysis from the engineering firm hired by the condo association, the building’s structure suffers from multiple serious issues pointing to problems in the building’s 1963 construction, including reinforcement that is “severely misplaced” compared with the original construction documents; and concrete quality of “consistently low strength.”

But sparse record keeping by the city and construction companies on older projects makes it hard to piece together how the building was first constructed so poorly that it’s being demolished prematurely.

The condominiums were built as one of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority’s first urban renewal projects, according to an article published by the redevelopment authority. First Realty, founded and led at the time by the late Max Kargman, was selected in a competition to develop Riverview and Bradbury into their current forms, according to a 1962 Magazine of Cambridge article archived by the city’s historical commission. In most documents and news articles, First Realty is listed as the developer.

Even so, it’s not clear who constructed the building or was otherwise responsible for the low-quality concrete, misplaced reinforcements and other structural issues. In general, developers contract construction companies. They can then subcontract other contractors for more specific tasks.

The official inspectional permit from 1963 indicates “Riverview Redevelopment Construction Co.” to be the constructor, which gives little insight. A news clipping from the historical commission lists Turner Construction to be the constructor, alongside First Realty as the developer.

In the Magazine of Cambridge article from 1962, Thomas Gilbane, president of Gilbane Building of Providence, is listed as the construction supervisor.

From a legal perspective, construction companies have little incentive to keep records on a building this far past the state’s six-year statute of repose on construction deficiencies. Wes Cotter, a Gilbane spokesperson, wrote in an email that Gilbane has no record of overseeing Riverview’s construction.

“Traditionally in line with standard industry practice we turn over records to our clients sometime after the project is completed,” Cotter wrote.

A Turner Construction spokesperson did not respond to multiple calls and emails requesting comment. First Realty Management declined to comment, saying that it “has no role in the ownership, management or operation of Riverview Condominium.”

Concrete problems elsewhere

There’s no outlook yet on financial relief from the state for the condo owners. For some, their condo was their main or only asset. Some of the luxury units are worth more than $2 million, according to Cambridge’s property database.

Coincidentally, Riverview’s woes come as some members of the state Legislature are struggling to pass budget amendments to help homeowners with crumbling concrete foundations. Boston.com reported the stumble May 1.

So far, the amendments are scoped to address a specific issue found in Central and Western Massachusetts homes arising from a mineral called pyrrhotite leading to compromised, crumbling concrete and expensive repairs.

“As far as I know the Riverside Condo foundation has not been tested for pyrrhotite,” said state Rep. Steven Owens, who represents the district containing the Riverview condos, wrote in an email. “It’s unclear whether any place in Cambridge has this particular problem, but if so, we’re on hand to help residents.”

???? EVENT DETAILS33 Church Street & Church Street Parking Lot, Cambridge, MASaturday, May 17, 202512:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Admission:● Church Street Vendor Market: FREE● Church Street Parking Lot Experience: $20 (tickets via FLARE app)Instagram: @ThePeoplesParty.HSQWebsite: www.ThePeoplesPartyHSQ.com

MEDIA CONTACT:Sheldon GrayThePeoplesParty@DxArcade.com857-318-3295

???? The People’s Party – Harvard Square Block Party Is Amplifying HarvardSquare This May

An All-Day Cultural Celebration Bringing Music, Art, Food & Community to the Heart ofCambridge

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, The People’s Party – Harvard Square Block Party will transformChurch Street and the Church Street Parking Lot into a vibrant open-air celebration ofcommunity, culture, and creativity. From 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM, guests of all ages are invited toenjoy a full day of live music, art, food, and connection.

Church Street will be open to the public, and a curated experience in the Church Street ParkingLot will be accessible with a $20 admission fee (tickets via the FLARE app). This unforgettableevent will be fueled by the spirit of togetherness.

Powered by DX Arcade, Hello Open Market, Select Markets, Harvard Square BusinessAssociation (HSBA), Dive Bar Caviar Events & PR, and SoundCloud. Media Coverage byThe Boston Globe, Boston.com, Boston B-Side & Creative marketing activators – Junq.Entertainment, Panda Culture, 1-Hour Party, Les Adore Productions.

The event uplifts local artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from across Greater Bostonand Cambridge.

???? Music LineupThe SoundCloud Main Stage will feature a high-energy lineup, including:

Master of Ceremony & The Hypest DJ Vyper

● Christina The Saintt● ICYFEVUR● DJ Ravino● Trigga Tre● DJ Real P

Hi-Fidelity Audio Design by Sound Logic Boston

Artwork by Jeff Wheeler

Expect genre-blending performances and electrifying hometown energy throughout the day.

???? Shop & ExploreSelect Markets will activate Church Street with 100+ curated vintage vendors and artisans,creating a vibrant, one-of-a-kind outdoor marketplace.

???? Eats & SipsSavor local culinary favorites:● Everybody Gotta Eat – One of Boston’s Best Caterers!● Beverage activations by NOCA and Topo Chico

???? Live Art, Games & GiveawaysGuests can enjoy interactive art installations, games, and community-building activities — funfor all ages.

???? From the Organizers“Harvard has always been a place where new ideas, people, innovation, and historyintertwine,” says Sean Hope, owner of DX Brands. “The People’s Party is aboutamplifying the diversity and cultural relevance of Harvard Square — a gatheringplace for all.”

“The People’s Party is an essential community tradition,” adds Edgard Arty. “Itrevitalizes spirit, fosters connection, and celebrates one of Cambridge’s most iconiccultural hubs.”

Denise Jillson, Executive Director of the Harvard Square Business Association,shares:“We’re thrilled to partner with The People’s Party team. This event truly embodiesthe spirit of our outdoor festivals — eclectic music, curated vendors, delicious food,and a safe, welcoming atmosphere.”

The People’s Party honors Harvard Square’s rich history while embracing the present, invitingguests from all backgrounds to experience local culture at its finest — from music and food tosmall businesses, community organizations, and live art.

???? Expanding the MovementThis year, The People’s Party proudly expands its vendor marketplace with leadership fromSelect Markets, a vintage pop-up founded by Northeastern students Joaquin Crosby-Lizardeand Josh Maizes.

“We launched Select to bring fun, accessible, and inclusive activities to Boston,”they share. “Being part of The People’s Party is about spreading the love of fashionand promoting community.”

Sheldon Gray, founder of Dive Bar Caviar, adds:

“Our mission is to amplify the voices of creatives and have an astoundingexperience— My mission is to push local artist talent to showcase their astoundingtalents such as YoTron Don & Questnine and many more in queue. With TheBoston Globe, Boston.com & B-Side as our media leaders, this celebration has thereach and power to truly unite what I feel passionate about – The People.”

This is more than a block party — it’s a movement, a tradition, and a celebration of avibrant, evolving community.

Cambridge, MA- BioMed Realty, a Blackstone portfolio company and the largest private operator of life science real estate, announced the acquisition of a majority interest in the 75 Broadway project in Cambridge, MA, through a joint venture partnership with the MIT Investment Management Company.

The to-be-built 585,000 square foot development is fully pre-leased to Biogen, a leading biotechnology company with nearly five decades of advancing breakthrough medicines. The property will serve as Biogen’s new global headquarters, consolidating its operations and deepening its connection to the Kendall Square innovation ecosystem.

75 Broadway is expected to span 16 stories and 585,000 square feet, incorporating advanced conservation, efficiency, and sustainable design elements. With this acquisition, BioMed Realty continues to grow its portfolio as one of the largest owners of life science real estate in the Boston-Cambridge region.

“We are thrilled to partner with MIT in the development and activation of this world-class lab and office asset in the heart of Kendall Square,” said Bill Kane, BioMed Realty’s President, East Coast and UK Markets. “75 Broadway will provide mission-critical infrastructure to Biogen that enables the development of the next generation of life-saving medicines and therapies.”

Jacob Werner, Co-Head of Americas Acquisitions at Blackstone Real Estate, said, “This acquisition reflects our continued commitment to lab office investments in premier life science markets, such as Cambridge, MA. We are excited to partner with MIT to deliver prime, purpose-built space for Biogen’s critical research.”

Construction of the 75 Broadway project will begin in 2025 and it will be the first building in the redevelopment of Kendall Common, a 10-acre site that will ultimately include eight buildings for residential, office, lab, retail, and community uses.

The transaction follows BioMed’s recent acquisitions of 150 Second, 11 Hurley and 215 First in Cambridge, and expands the Company’s Boston-Cambridge portfolio to 9.7 million square feet, including operating assets, in-process development, and future development.