CAMBRIDGE, MA – As Siena Construction celebrates 35 years of building in 2026, we’re looking back at projects that have shaped our company and the communities we serve. Today, we’re highlighting our ongoing work at a landmark building in the neighborhood called “the most innovative square mile on the planet.”

One Broadway, Many Stories

Originally built in 1969, acquired by MIT in 1998, and managed by JLL, One Broadway is a 16-story landmark in the heart of Cambridge’s Kendall Square. With its mix of retail, office suites, amenities, and convenient access to Downtown Boston by highway and public transportation, One Broadway attracts companies looking to be part of the region’s innovation corridor.

As noted in a previous post, Siena has built a strong record of repeat work throughout Kendall Square. One Broadway is another example of our lasting work in the neighborhood. Over the past decade, Siena has completed upgrades for the building’s owners and diverse tenants, including Change Healthcare, Emdeon, the British Consulate, Meta, MITIMCO, and Charles River Ventures.

Projects have ranged from common-area improvements – corridors, floor lobbies, shared restrooms – to tenant interior office renovations. Work has included demolition, HVAC and MEP system upgrades, suite reconfigurations, finish updates, furniture installation, and equipment tie-ins. Repeat experience at One Broadway has given Siena a valuable working knowledge that helps inform each new project in the building.

From the Outside In: One Broadway, One Knowledge

Siena’s ongoing presence at One Broadway provides insight into potential project impacts – from material deliveries and site logistics to construction activities:

Building Exteriors + Material Deliveries

  • Building layouts and site logistics
  • Traffic patterns that may affect deliveries
  • Connections to city utilities
  • Loading dock hours and delivery protocols
  • Freight elevator scheduling and capabilities

Project-Specific Interior Impacts

  • System specifications for equipment tie-ins
  • Facility construction rules and regulations
  • Tenant communication protocols
  • Scheduling requirements for system shutdowns
  • Tenant concerns related to construction noise, odors, and access

Understanding existing conditions in advance helps our team anticipate constraints, coordinate trades, and plan around building operations rather than react to challenges as they arise.

Minimizing Occupied-Space Impacts

In an occupied building, planning also means protecting the people and businesses operating alongside our construction. Siena takes a proactive approach by prioritizing the protection of existing spaces, daily cleanliness, and the safety and security of nearby occupants.

Working closely with facilities teams, Siena ensures compliance with building standards while developing plans to minimize disruptions to daily operations:

Preconstruction – We review building regulations and communicate expectations for conduct, safety, and site protocols to field workers and visitors. The team also coordinates project planning to align with building operations and tenant needs.

Construction – Regular two-week look-ahead schedules identify upcoming activities that may affect surrounding spaces. When work could disrupt neighboring tenants or properties, Siena engages early, remains accessible, and responds promptly to concerns.

Throughout each phase, Siena emphasizes good-neighbor practices that respect occupants, protect existing conditions, and maintain continuity of use. Siena puts our experience to work every day, helping construction move forward while the building and its occupants carry on.

Takeaways

Siena’s President Terrence Hayes reflected on the meaningful relationships in the neighborhood that building fosters.

“What makes Kendall Square special is the people and relationships behind the industry and research going on,” Terrence said. “When you work in the same buildings over the years like Siena has at One Broadway, you get to know the people, understand what matters to them, and become part of something bigger. We’re honored to play a small part in helping this community grow.”