October 2026 High-Profile Focus: Corporate and Interiors 15
ISO New England Selects Erland for Campus Expansion
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Holyoke, Mass. – Erland Construction, in collaboration with Northstar Project & Real Estate Services and Interior Architects, has been selected by ISO New England to construct a new 78,500sf office building on the organization’ s Holyoke campus. The project will provide additional office space to support ISO New England’ s growing workforce and strengthen its ability to carry out its critical role of ensuring the reliable operation of New England’ s bulk electric power system and administering the region’ s wholesale electricity markets.
The new all-electric, LEED-certified building will be used in part for training and visitor meetings and will help address ISO New England’ s current office capacity constraints and improve campus security.
“ As our work grows increasingly complex, the new building in Holyoke will strengthen our ability to serve the region and collaborate with stakeholders while providing additional space for our growing workforce,” said Anne George, ISO New England vice president and chief external affairs and communications officer.“ We are excited to partner with Erland Construction and our other contractors on this important project.”
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The project requires extensive planning and coordination to integrate sophisticated building systems and specialized infrastructure that support ISO New England’ s essential operations. The project team is delivering a highperformance facility designed to meet |
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Rendering of ISO New England’ s new office building
the organization’ s unique technical and operational requirements.
“ Projects like this require careful planning, technical expertise, and strong collaboration from the earliest stages of design and construction,” said Matt Combs, vice president, director
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of operations at Erland.“ We’ re proud to partner with ISO New England, Northstar Project & Real Estate Services, and Interior Architects to deliver a facility that supports the organization’ s important work while creating a flexible, efficient environment for its employees.” |
The Tenant Ecosystem: The Top Three Building Amenity Considerations
According to a recent report by Colliers, while office vacancy rates are declining, millions of square feet of commercial space remain available in Massachusetts. So, how can building owners distinguish themselves? Aside from location and access to public transit or parking, potential tenants often look for certain features before considering a building. Viewing amenities as part of a cohesive ecosystem can help create an environment that encourages tenants to gather, nourish, and nurture.
Gather
By Jenna Meyers
Creating spaces for employees to gather, whether for formal meetings or spontaneous catch-ups, is a large draw for tenants. Many find value in access to shared conference spaces, as it eliminates the need to create these within their own office. Larger training spaces can accommodate all-hands meetings, allowing tenants to utilize prime real estate for other purposes.
Providing informal gathering spaces as an alternative is also key, as they activate communal areas. These spaces offer employees opportunities to meet outside of their offices for impromptu meetings or breaks. Additionally,“ club” rooms offer a space to relax and recharge and tend to be popular, especially if tenants can rent them out. Examples of amenities in these spaces might include a card-access after-hours kegerator, games such as golf simulators, and TVs for watching sports.
Nourish
Having a place to grab a coffee or a quick bite to eat is essential for busy workers. The building location plays a significant role in determining which food options will be most appealing to tenants. In urban areas, a focus on quick grab-and-go options, including afterhours availability, or a micro mart can help keep employees close to the office. In suburban settings, more substantial café offerings for breakfast and lunch may be more attractive, particularly if there are no food options within walking distance. Nevertheless, one offering that is indispensable in any location is access to coffee or tea. Whether through a retail coffee shop, an in-house coffee cart with a
Outdoor roof deck / Photo courtesy of Margulies Perruzzi
barista, or a self-serve grab-and-go setup, this amenity is a large draw for tenants.
Nurture Wellness is a top priority for many tenants, and fitness facilities are highly desirable, even if they are not frequently used. Even a well-equipped space with cardio equipment, locker rooms, and showers will go far. Additionally, more buildings are incorporating wellness and mothers’ rooms, which benefit smaller tenants that have the need but may not be able to build these within their own space.
While outdoor spaces are primarily usable during the warmer months in New England, they are still considered highly desirable amenities. The design can vary from urban private roof decks to suburban communal courtyards with walking paths. Providing an area where tenants can gather or dine outside is always seen as a benefit.
Creating a tenant ecosystem helps building owners attract their ideal tenants and make use of underutilized communal areas. These spaces support tenants’ work needs and provide them with environments they don’ t have to construct themselves. It fosters an interconnected environment where tenants can interact, connect, and thrive.
Jenna Meyers, NCIDQ, LEED AP, is a partner and associate principal with Margulies Perruzzi, an architectural firm in Boston specializing in workplace, real estate, healthcare and science projects.
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