Author: Northstar Account

Leading with Vision: Celebrating Kirstin Brown’s Recognition as a Top Woman in Commercial Real Estate

We are proud to celebrate Kirstin Brown, who has been honored by Connect CRE as one of the Top Women in Commercial Real Estate this year. Her recent appointment as President in 2024 not only highlights her significant contributions to Northstar’s long-term strategy but also reflects her unwavering dedication to the people she works with, both clients and team members.

A Vision Built on Relationships

With over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry and an impressive portfolio exceeding $2 billion in complex developments, Kirstin has helped shape some of the region’s most transformative projects, from MIT’s 675-bed graduate housing complex to Northeastern University’s 23-story mixed-use tower at 840 Columbus Avenue, and BioMed Realty’s multi-phase Assembly Innovation Park in Somerville.

At her core, Kirstin is a “project junkie” who believes that real estate is fundamentally about people. This mindset shapes everything she does at Northstar. She loves the work she does, and every project has at least two people on it, and one of them is always a principal or shareholder, ensuring senior-level oversight on every project.

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Repositioning Real Estate Assets with Highest & Best Use Studies

What is a Highest and Best Use Study?

A Highest & Best Use (HBU) study is a structured analysis used to evaluate the most profitable use of a real estate asset based on its physical condition, location, regulatory environment, and market demand. These studies are particularly valuable when an existing asset is underperforming, vacant, or approaching a natural transition point in its lifecycle. The objective is to assess viable alternatives for repositioning or redeveloping the property to optimize returns.

These studies are beneficial to owners, brokers, or asset managers who need to make informed decisions. Brokers may use them to propose creative solutions when a listing is failing to lease or sell. Asset managers may seek HBU studies when market fundamentals shift, such as remote work driving down demand for traditional office space or new housing policies unlocking development potential.

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Milestone Achievement: Janet Tse’s 10-Year Journey at Northstar

Northstar is proud to celebrate Janet Tse’s 10th anniversary with the company.

With over ten years of experience in the AEC industry as an owner’s project manager, Janet has worked on a variety of capital and operating projects from planning through closeout. Her work includes projects in the pharmaceutical and higher education sectors across Greater Boston. Currently, Janet is managing the interior finish renovations in two occupied buildings, along with an 80,000 SF two-floor tenant fit-out for a pharmaceutical client headquartered in Cambridge Crossing, overseeing all phases from schematic design through project closeout. Before joining Northstar, Janet began her career as a structural engineer in the oil and gas sector.

What does Janet love about being an owner’s project manager? The versatility of the role. Whether she’s working on client presentations, managing budgets and schedules, reviewing design documents, or overseeing the progress of construction, each day is a new adventure. She enjoys collaborating with clients and project teams to solve problems and finds it rewarding to see the project completed. Continue reading Milestone Achievement: Janet Tse’s 10-Year Journey at Northstar

Northstar Celebrates 15 Years of Growth, Vision, and Exceptional Service

Today, Northstar celebrates a significant milestone, 15 years since its founding on October 28, 2010. This marks a proud chapter in the company’s continued journey of delivering trusted project management services, building lasting client relationships, and cultivating a standout company culture.

Northstar was established because its founders believed the Greater Boston market needed something different: a high-touch, client-focused consulting firm built on trust, collaboration, and results. With that mission and an entrepreneurial spirit, the firm quickly secured its first client, Harvard Real Estate Services. Their vision has grown into something bigger than they could have imagined, forging a new path in owner’s project management

What began as a small, dedicated team in Cambridge has grown into a dynamic, industry-recognized company known for its expertise, culture, and commitment to excellence.

“Our goal from day one was to do things differently, putting clients first, delivering exceptional service, and creating a place where people genuinely want to work,” said co-founder Tom Fanning. “Fifteen years later, that mission still drives us.”

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Chris Packard’s Journey: From Bridge Construction to Commercial Development

Welcome to Northstar’s article series, ‘Meet the Partners of Northstar: Guiding Our Strategic Vision & Company’s Success.’ In this series, we explore the experiences and journeys of our partners who have played a pivotal role in shaping Northstar’s trajectory over the past fifteen years.

Laying the Groundwork for a Future in Real Estate

Chris Packard’s journey to Northstar began in 1997 when he served as a construction superintendent on the iconic Zakim Bridge during its four years of construction. From developing work plans, managing union trade resources and coordinating with subcontractors Chris thrived in this high-pressure environment while guiding his team to a successful project delivery.

His hands-on experience and leadership steered Chris forward in his career, where he met people in the commercial real estate industry. As he transitioned to working at JLL, Chris brought his wealth of knowledge and expertise and worked with some of the founding partners of Northstar. This laid the groundwork for a successful partnership and provided invaluable insights and connections that set the stage for his eventual transition to Northstar. 

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A Conversation with our Intern, Ciara Donlan: Her View from the Construction Site

Northstar is committed to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of talent with a passion for pursuing careers in project management. As part of our internship/co-op program, we collaborate with institutions such as Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training) to identify exceptional candidates.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Ciara Donlan to our team for the past six months. Ciara is from Pelham, New Hampshire, and is a Sophomore at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying Management Engineering with a concentration in Mechanical Engineering. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming as well as playing pickleball and lacrosse.

During her time with us, she was actively involved with Dartmouth College’s student housing project, attending various weekly meetings and on-site visits, and supporting reviews of the drawing sets and project schedules. Beyond that, for Biogen, she helped manage multiple coordination spreadsheets and put together deliverables regarding the building’s utility buildout and usage forecasts. In addition, she supported the Harvard University Housing team, making progress schedules, reviewing drawings, and visiting on-site. She was also helping ACC’s 840 Columbus team with various other tasks.

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Cameron Feeley Featured in NEREJ’s Women in Commercial Real Estate Spotlight

Cameron Feeley, one of Northstar’s owner’s project managers, was recently featured in the Women in Commercial Real Estate issue of the New England Real Estate Journal.

In the article, Cameron shares her perspectives on her most rewarding project, what drew her to commercial real estate, what challenge she faced early in her career, and the advice she would give to a woman considering a career in commercial real estate.

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Setting Sail: Anthony Warren’s Path to Project Management

Welcome to Northstar’s article series, ‘Meet the Partners of Northstar: Guiding Our Strategic Vision & Company’s Success.’ In this series, we explore the experiences and journeys of our partners, who have played a pivotal role in shaping Northstar’s trajectory over the past fifteen years.

Charting a Course to Project Management

Meet Anthony, a man who steered his career to Northstar Project & Real Estate Services. Raised in Bermuda, his nautical roots run deep. Initially setting his sights on a career in architecture at the University of Arizona, he realized after his first year that his interest lies more in the physicality of real estate than its design. decided to transfer to Wentworth Institute of Technology to pursue construction management, where he discovered his calling – building buildings rather than designing them. Little did he know this decision would shape his path in project management. Starting as a Clerk of the Works, Anthony’s career took flight when he joined Mead Consulting, where he learned the ropes of owner’s project management (OPM). This was just the beginning of Anthony’s adventure, leading him to co-found Northstar, a client-focused project management firm. 

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Northstar Celebrates Katie Eichel’s 5-Year Anniversary

Northstar is proud to celebrate Katie Eichel’s five-year anniversary with the company. Since joining Northstar, Katie has made an impact as an owner’s project manager in the AEC industry, bringing over five years of hands-on experience and leadership to a wide variety of projects.

Katie has supported initiatives across several industry sectors including life sciences, office interiors, student housing, and ground-up core and shell developments. Currently, she is managing several interior office and laboratory improvement projects for a major pharmaceutical client. Her work includes lobby, executive office, boardroom, and lab renovations spanning over 800,000 SF across the client’s headquarters buildings. One highlight includes the fit-out of the newly opened Bitty & Beau’s Coffee café in Cambridge Crossing. 

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Forty Years of Impact: Lee Burneson’s Journey in Project Management Focused on People, Not Just Projects

Welcome to Northstar’s article series, ‘Meet the Partners of Northstar: Guiding Our Strategic Vision & Company’s Success.’ In this series, we explore the experiences and journeys of our partners who have played a pivotal role in shaping Northstar’s trajectory over the past fifteen years.

A Career Defined by Relationships, Not Just Buildings

In the project management business, careers are measured by the projects. But for Lee, it’s not the buildings that are important; it’s the people he’s worked alongside that have left lasting impressions as he has moved through in his career.

The Early Years

Lee’s journey began at the tender age of 17 when he crossed paths with Jerry Bosch, a good friend who introduced him to his father and who subsequently hired him as a construction laborer, setting the stage for a career that spans nearly half a century. The hard work over those early years was worth the effort. In 1984, Lee walked out of Purdue University with a master’s degree in civil engineering and was driving to New England to start working for Gilbane Building Company on his first full-time job in the post-graduate workforce.

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A Conversation with our Intern, Julian Herzing-Burkard: His View from the Construction Site

Northstar is committed to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of talent with a passion for pursuing careers in project management. As part of our internship/co-op program, we collaborate with institutions such as Northeastern University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training) to identify exceptional candidates.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Julian Herzing-Burkard to our team for the past six months. Julian is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a rising Senior at Northeastern University studying international business. In his spare time, he plays and writes music, having released an instrumental album on Spotify, and plays in a rock cover band called “Hell on Heels” with his parents. He also enjoys playing soccer and other sports with friends.

During his time with us, he was actively involved in American Campus Communities 840 Columbus student housing project, attending various weekly meetings and on-site visits and supporting reviews of the drawing sets, project cost estimates, and project schedules. Additionally, he helped manage multiple coordination spreadsheets and put together deliverables regarding the building’s utility buildout and usage forecasts. He was also involved in projects for Sanofi’s headquarters, which involved punch list administration and direct coordination with consultants and the construction team to open new completed floors and prep spaces for construction. In addition, he supported the Biogen team and the Harvard University Housing team with various other tasks.

Continue reading A Conversation with our Intern, Julian Herzing-Burkard: His View from the Construction Site

Justin Caron Named a Rising Star

Northstar’s Justin Caron was recently featured in the New England Real Estate Journal’s Rising Stars Ones to Watch issue.

Below is an excerpt of what he shared about the professional milestone he is most proud of, a challenge he has overcome, the advice he would give to someone starting out in owner’s project management, and the individuals who played a pivotal role in his development, along with what our president, Kirstin Brown, had to say about Justin.

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Jim Hogan Promoted to Shareholder

Northstar is pleased to announce the promotion of Jim Hogan to shareholder. 

Jim joined Northstar in 2017 and has over fourteen years of senior-level project management experience in the commercial building design

and construction industry. His expertise includes ground-up office, laboratory, residential projects, and office tenant improvement projects. At Northstar, Jim has completed a 17-story ground-up mixed-use office tower in Kendall Square, the renovation of the MBTA Kendall Square/MIT MBTA Headhouse, provided equity advisory services for ground-up residential developments on the East Coast, a 3-story ground-up lab project in Somerville, office renovations for a pharmaceutical client, and preconstruction services on a multi-tower air rights project in Boston. 

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Enhancing Workplace Efficiency: The Role of Occupancy Sensors in Modern Offices

With the reimagining of workplaces in the post-COVID era, many corporate clients are opting to install occupancy sensors in their newly renovated office spaces. The goal is to understand how their new workplace strategies, revitalizing spaces with a revised ratio of community, innovation, and focus areas, along with the introduction of attractive amenities, are being utilized. This data helps assess whether these efforts are successfully encouraging employees to return to the office.

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Building Success Together: The Power of Collaboration at Northstar

After the inspiring reflections from Northstar’s women during our annual Women in Construction Week celebration, we turned our attention to recognizing the invaluable contributions of the men on our team.

We asked them to share moments when collaboration across diverse teams, including women and beyond, led to a breakthrough in solving a project challenge. Their responses highlight not only their technical expertise but also their commitment to fostering teamwork, mentorship, and innovative problem-solving.

Join us as we explore their experiences and the impact of diverse collaboration in driving project success.

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The Northstar Journey: A Story of Growth and Progression for Six Newly Promoted Team Members

At Northstar, success isn’t just about completing a project or meeting deadlines; it’s about growing, learning, and leadership within teams. Our culture focuses on continuous learning, responsiveness, building meaningful relationships, and guiding clients and project teams to a predictable outcome.

Leadership strives to maintain a culture that is focused on a guiding mindset about making thoughtful decisions, working together as a team, and always pursuing excellence. It’s about assimilating into our client’s culture, providing exceptional service, approaching each challenge as an opportunity for growth, and treating every project as a chance to excel.

Our six newly promoted team members share how they embraced the skills and values that helped them reach their new roles. These team members didn’t just meet their job expectations; they actively participated in the growth and progression that makes the Northstar experience unique.

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Celebrating the Impact of Women in Construction

As Women in Construction Week comes to a close, we recap our spotlights on Emily Clayton, Lisa Hamilton, and Elen Zurabyan, three professional women shaping the construction industry today.

The experiences of these women highlight their goals and achievements, marking a significant shift towards inclusivity and opportunity in owner’s project management (OPM) and the construction industry.

As we celebrate their accomplishments, we acknowledge their contributions to reshaping the industry’s landscape and paving the way for future generations of female leaders.

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Celebrating Women in Construction Week at Northstar

As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, we proudly shine a spotlight on the incredible women of Northstar who continue to shape our industry’s culture and future. This annual observance honors the vital role women play in building and advancing the industry’s culture and future.

This year’s theme, ‘Together We Rise’, celebrates the strength and knowledge of women and the vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction industry. At Northstar, women represent nearly 40% of our team and contribute their talents across all levels of project management. Their diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives enable them to drive innovation and growth, both within our company and the broader real estate industry. They bring a range of skills and problem-solving abilities that are critical to overcoming challenges and delivering effective solutions.

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Elen Zurabyan Featured in NEREJ’s Women in Construction Spotlight

Elen Zurabyan, one of Northstar’s talented owner’s project managers, was recently featured in the Women in Construction Spotlight issue of the New England Real Estate Journal. In the article, Elen shares her perspectives on the project she is most proud of, the trends she believes will shape the future of the industry, and what drives her passion in her career. She also reveals her favorite ways to get inspired outside of work.

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Werfen’s New Research & Development Facility: A Strategic Expansion

When Werfen, a global leader in specialized diagnostics, outgrew its Bedford campus, the company turned to Northstar for a solution. The result was a state-of-the-art 118,000 square foot research and development facility focusing on hemostasis, acute care diagnostics, and autoimmunity. This project replaced an existing warehouse, addressed space limitations, and created a flexible and sustainable environment to meet Werfen’s future needs.

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Are You Moving Live Lab CTUs (Controlled Temperature Units such as Fridges or Freezers)

The Top 4 Key Factors for a Successful Move

Moving lab equipment, especially systems such as Controlled Temperature Units (CTUs), needs careful planning and attention to detail. There are four key factors to consider for a successful move to ensure that the process goes smoothly, and that the samples and equipment remain safe and operational. Below highlights some important aspects to address, including electrical and monitoring considerations, move path/logistics, securing your samples, and ensuring a proper shutdown of the equipment.

Below are four important factors to keep in mind before beginning your move.

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Ipsitha Bayapu: Five Years of Professional Growth and Success at Northstar

Northstar is proud to celebrate Ipsitha Bayapu’s 5th anniversary with the company.

Ipsitha Bayapu has over five years of experience as an Owner’s Project Manager in the AEC industry. Currently, she is closing out a multi-phase R&D lab renovation project as well as managing various interior improvement projects for leading pharmaceutical companies—from planning and design to construction, closeout, and occupancy.

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Celebrating 10 Years of Leadership: Steven Smith’s Journey at Northstar

Northstar is proud to celebrate Steven Smith’s 10th anniversary at Northstar.

With over 35 years of experience in owner’s project management, Steven specializes in overseeing major capital programs and projects. His expertise spans interior core and shell TI construction, occupied renovations and restacks, LEED and Fitwell certifications, and infrastructure and technology upgrades. Steven’s comprehensive knowledge of project delivery makes him a leader in every phase of a project, from feasibility and programming through design and construction to occupancy and closeout.

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Northstar Reflects on a Memorable 2024: A Year in Pictures 

As we welcome the new year, Northstar is excited to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of 2024.

From unforgettable team experiences—skiing, rowing along the Charles River, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Boston Food Bank, and celebrating our 14th anniversary—to landmark client achievements, including topping off Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University Housing’s 100 South Campus Drive, breaking ground at Dartmouth College’s 25 West Wheelock, and cutting the ribbon at Werfen’s Bedford facility, as well as celebrating the appointment of our new president—our video captures the heart of our shared efforts, enjoyment, and success. Every image reflects a distinct story of dedication, teamwork, and the progress we’ve made together.

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