Google Leases Former Life Science Lab in Watertown

Google has confirmed a lease for 35,000 square feet at the Arsenal on the Charles complex in Watertown. The space, located at 200 Talcott Avenue, previously housed Werewolf Therapeutics before that company merged with Ambros Therapeutics. According to building permits reviewed by local journalists, the landlord, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, is currently renovating the area with Google listed as the tenant.

The approved plans describe a mix of office areas and standard life science wet lab spaces. This is notable because Google’s existing headquarters in nearby Kendall, Massachusetts, is primarily tech-focused and does not currently include laboratory facilities. The company has historically invested in local biotech firms as a venture partner rather than operating its own labs directly in the region.

Current renovation scope is limited

The initial permit approved by Watertown’s Building Inspector covers only the demolition of the first floor. The work includes removing existing slabs, walls, and doors, as well as capping off sinks, emergency showers, and fume hoods. The permit explicitly states that this phase involves making existing mechanical systems safe and re-pouring the structural slab to support future equipment.

A separate permit application will be required for the subsequent tenant improvement project. Until that approval is granted, the space remains in a state of transitional demolition rather than active use. The current building code classification for the area is A-3, which typically applies to assembly areas like conference rooms, suggesting the final layout may vary from the previous lab configuration.

Uncertainty over specific operational goals

It is not yet clear what Google intends to do with the space. While the company is widely known for software and hardware, its parent structure includes subsidiaries like Calico Bio and Verily that focus on life sciences. However, local reporting indicates that Google does not currently maintain life science laboratories in the Boston area, making this lease a potentially significant expansion of its physical footprint.

Neither Google nor Alexandria Real Estate Equities responded to requests for comment regarding the specific nature of the work. The lack of official clarity means the space could serve various purposes, from research and development to specialized testing, but the immediate reality is a construction site where a former biotech lab is being stripped down to its structural basics.

Trade-offs in facility conversion

Converting a space designed for specific biotech processes into a new configuration requires significant structural changes. The need to remove existing lab infrastructure, such as fume hoods and specialized plumbing, indicates that the previous setup was not compatible with the new tenant's requirements. This process adds time and cost to the project, as the building must be stabilized and reconfigured before any new equipment can be installed.

For readers, the key takeaway is that this is a gradual process. The presence of a demolition permit does not mean Google is actively conducting experiments in Watertown today. The company is in the early stages of preparing the physical environment, and the specific scientific or technological activities will only begin after the next phase of construction is approved and completed.