Foundry Building

Exterior View of the Foundry Building

The Foundry Building at 101 Rogers Street was acquired by the city as the result of a real estate development proposal from Alexandria Real Estate involving a number of parcels in an adjacent sector of the Kendall Square area. The City's acquisition of 101 Rogers Street included the stipulation that a minimum of 10,000 square feet would be dedicated to community use. The property is currently vacant. In May 2015 the City Council approved a partnership with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) including the city's disposition and demonstration plans for the building.

The most recent updates related to the Foundry Building redevelopment project can be found on the CRA's website: http://www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/foundry



June 10, 2020

Foundry Advisory Committee Meeting

Friday, July 10, 2020

8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Meeting via Zoom

For meeting details and important Foundry updates please go here.

October 2, 2019

Foundry Public Meeting

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Fletcher-Maynard Academy Gymnasium

22 Windsor Street

View updated building designs, learn about the construction timeline, share your interests in programs for the Foundry, and hear about future Foundry events.

Refreshments will be served.

 

August 21, 2019

CRA regular Board Meeting (Open to the Public)

Wednesday, August 21

5:30 p.m.

Cambridge Police Station, Public Meeting Room

AGENDA

Call

Public Comment

Motion: To accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the CRA Board on July 17, 2019 

135 Broadway-Phase Two Residential Development Update

Foundry Project

Urban Design Consultant Selection

Report: Monthly Staff and Budget

Executive Session

At 7:30 p.m. the Board will convene in executive session for the purpose of discussing a potential real estate transaction for the Foundry property at 101 Rogers Street, the open discussion of which might compromise future negotiations.  If the Board has concluded all of the business set forth on the regular agenda by the start of the executive session, the Board will not reconvene in open session thereafter.

* Supporting material can be accessed on the Next Meeting page at least 48 hours prior to the schedule start of the meeting.

 

July 12, 2019

Hear updates about the Foundry and learn more about the Foundry Advisory Committee selection process.  Please see details below. 

Friday, July 12th

8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Cambridge Police Station, Public Meeting Room

126 Sixth Street, Cambridge

AGENDA

FAC Member Selection Process

Nonprofit Formation

Nonprofit Staffing Model

Community Survey on Programming

Schematic Designs & Construction Plans

Public Comment

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information contact: Erica Schwarz, 617-492-6800, eschwarz@cambridgeredevelopment.

 

March 16, 2019

Calling all Cambridge Neighbors!

Saturday, March 16, 2019

10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Abigail's Restaurant 

291 Third Street

Cambridge, MA 02142

In 2021, a new center for the arts and STEM will open at 101 Rogers Street. The Foundry building is a historic building reuse project that will allow the Cambridge community to enjoy performances, be creative and make things, and attend workshops to learn new skills.  

Join the Foundry Consortium at Abigail's Restaurant over coffee and scones for our first discussion about what you would like to see happening at the Foundry.

Please RSVP here by Friday, March 15, 2019.  If you know someone who would be interested in joining us, please pass on this information or download our flyer here.

 

February 13, 2019

CRA Board Annual Board Meeting (Open to the Public)

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

5:30 p.m. 

Cambridge Police Station, 1st Floor Community Room

For more information and agenda please click here

December 11, 2018

Foundry Art Meeting

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

500 Kendall Street - 1st Floor

The Foundry Consortium is hosting a public meeting to allow the community to meet the finalists selected through the City's Call for Public Art to create an art installment at the Foundry.

For more information please click here.

November 26, 2018

Foundry Art Meeting

Monday, November 26, 2018

8:30 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.

Lesley University-Room 3-043

8:30 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. 

The Foundry Consortium and Cambridge Art Center are hosting a public meeting that will focus on what kinds of arts programs should be offered at the Foundry. This will help inform the final design plans.

For more information please click here.

August 8, 2018

Maker Space/Workshop

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Main Library, Lecture Hall (L2, second floor underground)

449 Broadway

8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

This meeting will discuss the maker space/workshop and what can be learned from similar spaces in the area.

Space is limited for this meeting, please rsvp to zoev@mit.edu if you plan to attend.  

July 25, 2018

Community Forum

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Dante Alighieri Cultural Center

31 Hampshire Street

Cambridge, MA 02141

This forum will start with an overview of the development process and schedule. You'll hear from the City, the CRA, the design team, and the operator team.  Afterwards, there will be a question and answer session. For meeting information, please click here.

July 13, 2018

Foundry Advisory Committee Meeting

Friday, July 13, 2018 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Cambridge Police Department

First Floor Community Room

125 Sixth Street

Cambridge, MA 02142

For meeting information, please click here.

April 30, 2018

On April 25, 2018 the CRA Board unanimously passed a motion to recommend the Foundry Consortium as the operator of the Foundry.

For more information please click here.

April 25, 2018

Special Board Meeting

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Cambridge Police Department

First Floor Community Room

125 Sixth Street

Cambridge, MA 02142

For meeting agenda, handouts, and presentations please Click here

 

February 6, 2018

Foundry Building Request for Proposals info Session Tomorrow

This is a reminder that the CRA issued an RFP for an Operator and Master Tenant of the Foundry, consistent with the Foundry Demonstration Project Plan.

RFP responses are due by March 8th, no later than 4:00 p.m. EST

The RFP, as well as other information about the Foundry, can be found at http://www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/foundry

As stated in the RFP, the CRA will be hosting a non-mandatory Information Session and Tour* on Wednesday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m.

NOTE: Due to construction, please enter at 180 Bent Street

January 29, 2018

The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority is issuing an RFP for an Operator and Master Tenant of the Foundry at 101 Rogers Street in Cambridge, MA. consistent with the Foundry Demonstration Project Project Plan.

The CRA seeks to designate an Operator with experience, creativity and capability to occupy, activate, program and maintain the Foundry building.  The RFP, as well as other information about the Foundry, can be found atwww.CambridgeRedevelopment.org/Foundry.

RFP responses are due by March 8th, no later than 4:00 pm EST. Click here to view the RFP.

Potential Responders are asked to send their contact information to foundry@CambridgeRedevlopment.org in order to receive addenda and other notices.

January 12, 2018

A Foundry Advisory Committee Meeting was held on Friday, January 12, 2018 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the Cambridge Police Department, 1st Floor Community Room, 125 Sixth St. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

On Agenda: 1) Foundry Redevelopment Process Update (Designer Selection Update, Cooperation Agreement & Amendment Lease, Operator RFP status) 2) Performance and Visual Art Asset Map 3) Workforce Development Updates - Kendall Square 4) RFI Ideas and Feedback

For more information, visit http://www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/foundry/

 

October 19, 2017

On October 19, 2017, the City of Cambridge released an RFQ to select a Design Team for the Foundry. Submissions were due on November 9, 2017. For more information, visit 

http://www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/foundry

August 1, 2017

The CRA is seeking information and ideas regarding the management and community programming of the Foundry. With input from experienced and creative professionals, we hope to better define criteria and strategies for putting a management team in place. We also want to hear from organizations, companies, or individuals that may be interested in being part of the team.

The Request for Information (RFI) is available here. Responses are due September 15, 2017.

The Foundry is an adaptive reuse project to build a self-sustaining center for creativity and collaboration for the Cambridge community with a mix of arts, cultural, educational, fabrication and commercial activities. Located at the intersection of the Kendall Square Innovation District and the East Cambridge neighborhood, the Foundry building will be designed and operated to provide space and programs for the visual and performing arts, entrepreneurship, technology and workforce education within its historic, industrial setting. 

July 26, 2017

On Wednesday, July 26 from 5:30-7:30 P.M. a public hearing will be held in the School Committee Room / Henrietta Attles Room at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, 459 Broadway.

The purpose of the hearing is to discuss the next steps for the redevelopment of the Foundry Building, including financing, community benefits, community engagement, and the non-profit ecosystem. The hearing will be hosted by the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee. More information can be found on the City's Open Meetings Portal

June 21, 2017

On Wednesday, June 21 at 5:30 P.M. the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority will facilitate a meeting to discuss updates related to Foundry redevelopment. For additional information, visit http://www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/foundry/.

May 30, 2017

The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and the City of Cambridge held a meeting on May 30, 2017 to present and discuss the revised approach to the Foundry redevelopment. For the latest information, visit http://www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/foundry/

January 10, 2017

The City is undertaking an environmental investigation of the grass area adjacent to the Foundry Building, 101 Rogers Street (see plan). This work will involve a drilling machine taking borings at various locations in the grass area. The work is scheduled to begin this week; will take 3 to 5 days to complete; and is weather dependent.

December 17, 2016

At the CRA Board meeting on December 21, 2016, the Board made the difficult decision to terminate the current Foundry procurement.  In making this decision, they recognized that the context for the project had changed considerably, including the possibility of more City funding, concerns from some members of the community and City Council that the current proposal was not meeting the community's objectives, and inability to further negotiate the sublease given these issues.  In the weeks ahead, the CRA staff will be working with the City administration on different redevelopment approaches and will also convene a meeting of the Foundry Advisory Committee to discuss ideas and community interests. 

Please see the CRA website for the most recent updates at: http://www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/foundry

October 5, 2016

On Thursday, October 6, 2016 the City Council Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the redevelopment of the Foundry Building at Cambridge City Hall, 785 Massachusetts Ave, from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. For more information, click here.

September 19, 2016

The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) has selected a development entity for the revitalization of the City-owned Foundry building at 101 Rogers Street near Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA. The selected team, KS Foundry Development Partners, is a joint venture between the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) and Graffito SP, working in association with Hacin + Associates. Click here for more information.

July 15, 2015

The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) , in collaboration with the City of Cambridge is issuing a developer Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Foundry Building located at 101 Rogers Street here in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Please click here for the Foundry RFQ.

Please click here for more information on the RFQ process and upcoming meetings, including an information session on August 5, 2015 at 10:00 A.M.

July 13, 2015

On July 13, 2015, City entered into a lease agreement with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority for a procurement process for the development and operation of the Foundry Building. For further information on the Foundry process.

June 3, 2015

Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and the City of Cambridge host a Project Information Session for the Foundry Building on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 from 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. at Robert W. Healy Public Safety Facility, 125 Sixth Street, Cambridge, MA. For more information, click here.

May 11, 2015

On May 4, 2015 the City Council appropriated $6 million to facilitate improvements to the Foundry Building and approved of a 50-year lease with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. The City Council also approved of the demonstration plans for the building which can be found here.

The City Manager is currently looking seeking volunteers to serve on a new Foundry Advisory Committee that he is establishing. The group will advise and provide regular updated to the City Manager as well as providing regular updated to the Executive Director of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority on proposed uses within the Foundry Building, which will be redeveloped and operated consistent with the vision and objectives that few out of an extensive community planning process.

Letters of interest are due June 12, 2015. Click here for more information on applying to the Foundry Advisory Committee.

January 26, 2015

Please find the Foundry Building Disposition Report and City Manager's letter here.

December 17, 2014

Please find the Foundry Building Demonstration Project Plan Document here.

November 3, 2014

Presentation from the October 29, 2014 community meeting has been released. Please click here for more information.

October 15, 2014

A community meeting will be held by City Staff on the Foundry Building on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. at the Cambridge Citywide Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139.

For more information on the Foundry Demonstration Project, please click check out the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority's site.

July 25, 2014

Read the June 24, 2014 Community Meeting Report. Download the PDF Report.

Check out the Foundry Project Update released by the City.

July 9, 2014

Presentation from the June 24, 2014 community meeting has been released. Please click here for more information.

June 24, 2014

A community meeting will be held by City Staff on the Foundry Building on Tuesday, June 24th at 6 P.M. at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St, Cambridge, MA 02141. For more information or to RSVP, please email Foundry@CambridgeMA.gov.

March 3, 2014

A special City Council meeting on the Foundry Building was held on Monday, March 3, 2014 at 5:30 P.M. The report provided to the City Council can be found in the documents section.

February 27, 2014

Cambridge City Council is holding a special City Council meeting on the Foundry Building on Monday, March 3, 2014 at 5:30 P.M. Click here for more information.

November 27, 2013

On Thursday, October 30, 2013 the City held tours and information session on the Foundry Building, located at 101 Roger Street. At that time, we provided the public with a questionnaire and gathered additional feedback at the information session. Comments and questionnaire feedback from the October meeting can be found under the documents tab on this project page.

If you would like to be notified of future meetings or would like more information about this project, please contact Lisa Hemmerle at 617/349-4616 or email at lhemmerle@cambridgema.gov.

The City acquired the Foundry Building, located at 101 Rogers Street, as the result of a real estate development proposal from Alexandria Real Estate involving a number of parcels in an adjacent sector of the Kendall Square area. The City’s acquisition of 101 Rogers Street included the stipulation that a minimum of 10,000 SF would be dedicated to community use. The property is currently vacant. The total lot area is 37,500 square feet. The City is in the process of looking into future uses for the building.

  • Exterior View of the Foundry Building

    Exterior View of the Foundry Building

  • Image of the front entrance to the Foundry Building

    Front entrance to the Foundry Building

  • Image of the Foundry Building

    Exterior of the Foundry Building

  • Exterior View of the Foundry Building

    View of the Foundry Building from Third Street

What is the Foundry’s history?

The Foundry Works Building was built in approximately 1895 as part of the George F. Blake Manufacturing Company in East Cambridge. The Blake and Knowles company was acquired in 1916 by the Worthington Pump and Machine Corporation. Worthington renamed the facility the "Blake and Knowles Works".
Since then, the Foundry building was retooled and redesigned over the years, playing roles as a motor freight station, a fastener factory making parts for carriages, an aircraft parts factory, and eventually a home to numerous Kendall Square startups in fields ranging from telephone systems to pharmaceuticals. Though the Foundry has historic interest it is not a listed property in the Historic Register.

What is the current status of the building?

The Foundry Building at 101 Rogers Street was acquired by the city as the result of a real estate development proposal from Alexandria Real Estate involving a number of parcels in an adjacent sector of the Kendall Square area. The City’s acquisition of 101 Rogers Street included the stipulation that a minimum of 10,000 SF would be dedicated to community use. The property is currently vacant.

What is the square footage of the building?

The building consists of the lower parking level with approximately 4,000 SF of rentable area and 42 parking spaces. The first floor has approximately 23,000 SF of gross area and the second and third floors each have approximately 15,000 SF of gross area. A narrow open space to the east of the building is approximately 3,000 SF in area. The Rogers Street frontage includes the main entrance and 12 parking spaces. The total lot area is 37,500 SF. The parcel is abutted to the east by an open parking lot associated with the Worthington Place residential property to the south. The abutting parcel to the west contains a high rise, windowless structure that houses communications equipment.

What is the public process?

After acquiring the Foundry building, the City Council issued a Policy Order to the City Manager for an independent assessment of the property prior to making a decision regarding whether to retain or sell the Foundry. HMFH Architects were contracted for this purpose and presented their report at a public meeting in August 2013.

Additionally, in July 2013 the City Manager presented a cost benefit analysis of several scenarios, including but not limited to sale of the building, retention of the building for rehab and lease, and retention for use by nonprofit rental/community space.

Public tours of the building and a community meeting was held on October 30, 2013 to expand the public dialogue and gather public comment on the potential uses for the Foundry. The discussion notes will be used to further inform the City Council.

Any sale, transfer, lease or rental, or exchange of any city-owned property or property rights or interest such as a public easement on private property would be subject to Municipal Ordinance Section 2.110.010, "Disposition of City Property." It would also be subject to requirements to solicit proposals as set forth in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 16.

If the City decides to pursue a sale or long-term lease of the property, this decision would require additional public meetings and a vote by the City Council.

For more information, please contact Lisa Hemmerle, Director of Economic Development at lhemmerle@cambridgema.gov or via phone at 617/349-4616.