“Vertical assembly line experiment gone wrong” That might be the opening line in a quirky history book about 640 Memorial Drive. Originally constructed in 1916 for the Ford Motor Company, 640 Memorial Drive was intended for Model T auto assembly.
MIT acquired the property in 1956. They leased it to Polaroid until 1984. The building offers about 248000 square feet of laboratory and office suites.
The exterior of 640 Memorial Drive features red brick with glazed terra-cotta trim. Seventeen broad arched mullion windows punctuate the facade. Red brick piers frame these windows. Patterned brick elements and white stone lintels add further detail. Dentils sit below the cornice.
Ford’s experiment with a vertical assembly line proved impractical. The company moved to a one-level facility in 1926. Deliveries of parts and shipments of Model Ts ceased at this building.
Today, 640 Memorial Drive is home to pharmaceutical companies. The main entrance faces the parking lot. Inside, you would find a reception lobby complete with palm trees. A 1930 Model A Ford deluxe sport coupe is on display.
The car reminds visitors of the building’s history. However, this car was not produced here. Production moved to Somerville in 1926.
The skylit lobby features original trusses. These serve as decorative elements, evoking the building’s industrial past. Railroad tracks once ran through the building. They extended over the Charles River. They also ran along Vassar Street.
In 2024, Genesis 640 Memorial was renovated. It provides flexible research space. It also provides access to biotech leaders.
Genesis suites feature industry-standard modular benching systems. These systems minimize downtime and maximize flexibility. The pre-plumbed and pre-wired system allows for fast installation. It also allows effortless reconfiguration.
The location offers a dedicated shuttle to Central Square. It is also near an MBTA station. This provides easy access to public transportation. The property also offers bike storage.
Bain Capital Real Estate and Phase 3 Real Estate Partners acquired 640 Memorial Drive. This shows the continuing appeal of this iconic building. So 640 Memorial Drive stands as a testament to innovation. It has evolved from auto assembly to cutting-edge life science research.