Back to All NewsPress Release
September 24, 2025
BioMed Realty joins Global Arts Live and Takeda in Announcing The Platform at 585 Kendall
CAMBRIDGE, MA – Sep 24, 2025 – BioMed Realty, a leading real estate provider for the innovation industries, announced today alongside Global Arts Live and Takeda that the 45,000-sq-ft performing arts center at BioMed’s 585 Kendall project, scheduled to open in September 2026, will be known as The Platform. The main, 400-seat performance stage at The Platform will be named the Takeda Theater at The Platform, recognizing Takeda’s corporate sponsorship of the space.
As a new facility in the regional cultural ecosystem, The Platform at 585 Kendall addresses a documented need for a midsized professional theater that benefits the broader Cambridge arts community. In addition to the Takeda Theater, The Platform features a rehearsal studio that matches the working space of the 3,100-sq-ft main stage, a 125-seat cabaret stage and public gathering spaces in a ground-floor commons area with an indoor garden, bar, and café. The performance and rehearsal spaces at The Platform will be available to independent artists and community organizations at subsidized rates, with 25 nights per year offered rent-free. The entire center has been designed with close attention to accessibility that ensures it will be welcoming to all visitors.
The interior and exterior spaces within The Platform have been designed with close attention to accessibility, ensuring that artists, patrons, local employees and neighbors alike feel welcome to engage with the space. In addition to a regular schedule of performances, The Platform will also host Canal District Kendall events, extending BioMed Realty’s yearslong commitment to activating the neighborhood and celebrating Cambridge’s rich mix of arts and sciences innovation.
“Since long before we broke ground at 585 Kendall, this has been a project for—and informed by—the Kendall Square community,” says Salvatore Zinno, Senior Vice President of Development at BioMed Realty. “We are confident that our decision to enlist the expertise of Global Arts Live to establish and operate The Platform arts center will bring our local arts and science communities, neighbors, and visitors alike, together to showcase and contribute to the artistry, innovation, and ingenuity that defines the Canal District Kendall neighborhood.”
One third of The Platform’s artistic programming will be curated by Global Arts Live, including music and dance performances that the organization has presented locally for 35 years. Global Arts Live Founder and Director of Artistic Programs Maure Aronson says "The Platform will significantly increase our programming and expand the boundaries of what we're able to present. For years Global Arts Live and other area presenters have faced challenges in securing appropriately sized, affordable performance spaces. The Platform will give audiences a chance to see more jazz, more dance, and a wider range of performing artists."
Global Arts Live Chief Executive Officer Connie C. Chin says the name reflects the facility’s cultural and community mission. “The Platform is not just a performance venue. It’s a platform for supporting artists and nonprofits; a platform for work that expands our perspectives; a platform for culture, connection, and conversation. Serving as a vital cultural hub, local, national and international artists will have a home to create and present meaningful work. We can all be grateful to BioMed Realty for envisioning and bringing to life this stunning, multipurpose facility that truly meets their mission to advance human health and unleash human potential. We are beyond thrilled that Takeda, a company focused on creating better lives for citizens across the globe, has stepped up to support a space designed to enhance the social and cultural lives of the people of Cambridge and Greater Boston.”
Takeda has leased 585 Kendall’s approximately 600,000-square-foot lab and office space that will be the home of Takeda’s Global Research & Development (R&D) Center—creating a purpose-built facility to deliver life-transforming therapies for patients. The lease is part of Takeda's long-term strategy to create one Cambridge campus in Kendall Square, along with its suburban campus in Lexington.
“Our purpose has always been to create better health for people and a brighter future for the world. This means bringing new solutions to patients with limited or no treatment options and it also means strengthening the communities where we live and work,” says Julie Kim, president of the U.S. Business Unit and U.S. country head for Takeda. “The Takeda Theater at The Platform will be a place where our community can connect and inspire one another through the performing arts. Our continued support for the Cambridge community is unwavering and we are proud to be part of this important community and creative space.”
The Platform is currently under construction at 585 Kendall Street in Cambridge, located a few blocks from the Kendall MBTA station, and is scheduled for occupancy in Spring 2026. After a spring and summer spent installing equipment, moving in, and testing the systems and spaces, The Platform will have its grand opening celebration in Fall 2026.
September 24, 2025