Industrial Software Firm PTC Relocates to 250,000 SF Global HQ in Seaport District

BOSTON–Cresa and Margulies Perruzzi Architects recently completed the a new 250,000 SF global headquarters for PTC Inc., a global provider of technology that transforms how companies design, manufacture, operate in a smart connected world. PTC relocated its headquarters from Needham, Mass., to 121 Seaport Boulevard, the modern, elliptical shape tower newly constructed by Skanska, a 17-story, 400,000 SF office building in Boston’s Seaport District. The building, designed by CTB Architects, recently received the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, its highest level of sustainability achievement.

PTC’s new technology-rich headquarters is a key part of the company’s business transformation, enhancing PTC’s profile and serving as a premier destination for employees, customers, and partners to experience PTC’s technology. At the heart of PTC’s new transformational headquarters is the Corporate Experience Center (CXC), an interactive showcase for PTC’s innovative technology, including its ThingWorx^® industrial Internet of Things and Vuforia Augmented Reality (AR) platforms.

To facilitate the move to a new headquarters, PTC engaged Cresa as a global partner across multiple service lines, including site selection, lease administration, transaction management, workplace strategy, and project management. Cresa accomplished a six-month process in 30 days with fast-tracked negotiations that secured PTC’s 18.5-year lease for 250,000 SF at 121 Seaport. As the first signed tenant, PTC leased 63 percent of the building, where the company will house 1,000 of its 6,000 worldwide employees. PTC will occupy the building’s top nine floors with direct access to the roof deck from the top floor and access to a common area with an outdoor terrace on the third floor. Cresa also advised PTC on workplace strategy and facilitated PTC’s shift toward an activity-based, open office plan and free address concept for its workspace.

“Our move to Boston’s Seaport District signals a continued focus on innovation through forward-thinking technological advancements, as well as an evolution of our workplace strategy to anticipate the technology and workforce of the future,” said Eric Snow, senior vice president, corporate communications, PTC. “This workspace is intended to be transformational in every way: the urban location, workplace design, and abundant use of technology will provide our employees with the best possible work environment to thrive and innovate, all while offering our customers a state-of-the-art venue for experiencing our technology. We are thrilled to make this exceptional space for our new home.”

MPA’s design for PTC’s headquarters was strongly influenced by the unique, elliptical-shaped glass tower of 121 Seaport. To maximize views of Boston Harbor and downtown Boston, the open office design places conference rooms and meeting spaces around the building core on each floor, and arranges bench seating with ergonomic sit-to-stand desks in a radial fashion that aligns with the oval shape. More than 200 technology-enabled collaboration and huddle rooms support PTC’s activity-based workplace, which has no private offices and no assigned seats, encouraging employees to work where they want. Open-seating collaboration areas and touchdown spaces anchor the north and south ends with a variety of seating styles. On every floor, a themed work café/coffee space, each dubbed “The Hive,” offers employees a diverse experience for casual meetings, socialization, and quiet time. Gigantic curved LED light fixtures span the arc on each floor, with colored lights on the 17th floor providing a dramatic view from the street at night.