Passionate about people, place and planet.
Since the early part of the 21st century, SOMERNOVA has been known as a place where people co-create, iterate and test the boundaries of what is possible.
From American Tube Works, Ames Safety Envelope to now a cluster of rapidly growing climate and tough tech, advanced manufacturing, a brewery, climbing gym, youth center pilot, award winning chefs and more – the spirit of innovation continues.
It all started with an envelope. 84 years later, we’re still delivering new ideas.
1851
Since the early part of the 21st century, entrepreneurial businesses have helped to establish Somerville as a great city to innovate and develop more sustainable practices and products.
1938
Ames Industry
John W. Fitzgerald, who started Ames Safety Envelope in 1919, buys an 18,000 sq. ft. building at 21 Vine Street (now Properzi Way) in Somerville. The company makes envelopes, as well as some filing pockets and folders. One building in the complex had been part of the American Tube Works, founded in 1851, to make brass and copper tubes for locomotives and ships.
1980s to 1990s
Ames is Somerville’s largest employer and the largest provider in the country of color-coded filing products to the healthcare industry, with over 40 percent market share. Sales peak at about $70 million, and employment at just over 600 employees.
2000s
Artisan’s Asylum nonprofit rents space in the complex. Greentown Labs, Brooklyn Boulders climbing gym, and Aeronaut Brewing Company open. By 2014, the Ames complex is completely full.
2018
Rafi Properties acquires 300,000 s/f Ames Business Center from JFW. Ames Business Park is renamed Somernova aka Somerville’s Innovation Hub with Rafi Acquisition. A process of listening and collaboration starts.
Join the Region's Fastest Innovation Hub
Somerville has one of metro Boston’s highest concentrations of engineering and tech professionals per square mile. We invite you to discover why this growing innovation hub is the place to find today’s talent and tomorrow’s workforce.
1851
Since the early part of the 21st century, entrepreneurial businesses have helped to establish Somerville as a great city to innovate and develop more sustainable practices and products.
Ames Industry
1938
Ames Industry
John W. Fitzgerald, who started Ames Safety Envelope in 1919, buys an 18,000 sq. ft. building at 21 Vine Street (now Properzi Way) in Somerville. The company makes envelopes, as well as some filing pockets and folders. One building in the complex had been part of the American Tube Works, founded in 1851, to make brass and copper tubes for locomotives and ships.
1980s to 1990s
Ames is Somerville’s largest employer and the largest provider in the country of color-coded filing products to the healthcare industry, with over 40 percent market share. Sales peak at about $70 million, and employment at just over 600 employees.
2000s
Artisan’s Asylum nonprofit rents space in the complex. Greentown Labs, Brooklyn Boulders climbing gym, and Aeronaut Brewing Company open. By 2014, the Ames complex is completely full.
2018
Rafi Properties acquires 300,000 s/f Ames Business Center from JFW. Ames Business Park is renamed Somernova aka Somerville’s Innovation Hub with Rafi Acquisition. A process of listening and collaboration starts.
Join the Region's Fastest Innovation Hub
Somerville has one of metro Boston’s highest concentrations of engineering and tech professionals per square mile. We invite you to discover why this growing innovation hub is the place to find today’s talent and tomorrow’s workforce.
Co-create the future
with the future.
The Dojo @ SOMERNOVA is a youth-driven pilot designed to empower Somerville’s future leaders with a platform and needed resources to co-create and build the City’s 1st youth center.
Explore DOJO