An innovation district helping founders move the world and local communities forward

By: Somernova / Rafi Properties Updated October 14, 2025

Our mission is to design, build, and steward a campus that expands opportunity—where breakthrough climate and tough‑tech companies, artists, and the community create outsized impact together.

We take a decades‑long view and measure success by real outcomes: companies launched and scaled, good jobs created, arts and culture sustained, and neighborhood benefits delivered.

Our Mission

Somernova is a 7.4‑acre innovation campus in Somerville, MA.

Today, it powers a high‑growth ecosystem anchored by Greentown Labs, The Engine by MIT, and a mix of scaling companies such as Form Energy, Sublime Systems, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems—alongside beloved cultural anchors like Aeronaut Brewing Company and Boston Bouldering Project.

Our long‑term ambition: responsibly expand the campus to ~1.6M+ square feet of R&D and commercialization space, knit together with arts & music venues, independent retail, childcare, housing, new parks, and a turnkey community center—creating a global hub for innovation.

The Campus

Aerial view of a city neighborhood with houses, commercial buildings, and a train track running along the right side.

Indoor rock climbing gym with climbers on various routes on beige and red climbing walls. There are people belaying and preparing gear, with climbing shoes and ropes on the floor. A large window lets in natural light, and a sign in the background rea

Interior of a modern, industrial-style building with exposed ductwork, large windows, and a high wooden ceiling. There are wooden steps, seating areas, and people walking and sitting inside, with a sign that reads 'GREENTOWN GROWS' on a wooden wall.

Somerville and Greater Boston are experiencing unprecedented demand for specialized R&D, prototyping, and scale‑up space—especially for climate and tough‑tech.

Early‑stage companies outgrow incubators; scaling teams need high‑bay labs, industrial floors, and access to talent. At the same time, artists and venues face rising costs and displacement. Neighborhoods expect development to address mobility, open space, and youth opportunities.

Somernova’s existing community, the recently adopted Arts & Innovation Subarea zoning, and strong tenant pipeline create a rare opportunity to deliver space that meets this moment—if we sequence investment, partner with the community, and design for real‑world use.

The Present

Group of children and adults posing for a photo in front of a large colorful mural of a lion on a brick wall.

A woman is explaining a yellow Boston Dynamics robotic robot to a young boy and girl in a parking lot, with other people and equipment in the background.

A large group of people wearing red hoodies and face masks, gathered around a robot in an indoor setting, celebrating or posing for a photo.

Group of people gathered indoors, watching and participating in a gaming event, with some playing video games on screens and others socializing.

1. Build Around the Experiment

Founder-Led, Reconfigurable, Ready to Scale spaces designed to fit the needs of tough tech companies as they grow.

Massachusetts consistently ranks #1 in patents per capita. This highly inventive output means there is a flow of discovery and early-stage technology that needs commercialization. source

2. Belonging Boosts Health

The essential need for community and cultural connection.

People who feel a strong sense of community belonging are 2.6× more likely to report good or excellent health than those with low belonging. source

3. Future founders are already starting

Investing in youth innovation now, grows the next wave of company builders.

In the U.S., 18–24-year-olds are starting businesses at the highest rates of any age group (GEM 2023/24). And by 2030, Gen Z will make up ~30% of the U.S. workforce (BLS). source

By building the right spaces—and the connective tissue between them—we can:

Help founders move the world forward through labs and industrial floors purpose‑built for tough tech prototyping and scale‑up
Create quality jobs across skill levels, from engineers to technicians to arts and cultural workers
Keep culture local by securing long‑term homes for artists, venues, and community‑serving organizations
Improve daily life with safer streets, better transit connections, new parks, and youth‑focused programming
Be YouthFull by prioritizing the needs of young people
Model inclusive growth through accountable community benefits and transparent governancez

The Possibility

1. R&D & Scale‑Up Innovation and Manufacturing

Flexible R&D labs, high‑bay prototyping floors, heavy-duty floor loads, and space for pilot‑line manufacturing
R&D ready infrastructure designed for tough tech needs
Shared equipment, testing bays, and high‑load freight & logistics
Hundreds of new units of Innovation housing in the District

2. Arts, Culture & Community

Affordable studios and rehearsal rooms with long‑term stability
Music and Arts venues and community event spaces
A turnkey youth & family center focused on STEAM, entrepreneurship & being active
Daily community needs include childcare, independent retail, wellness services, job training, and more

3. Proximity, Public Realm & Mobility

Incubators and accelerators, such as Greentown and The Engine, are in the District
New parks, plazas, and a green pedestrian spine connecting buildings
Safer bike and walk links; improved transit access and wayfinding
District‑scale sustainability and industry-leading green buildings

Opportunity Areas (long-term)

One integrated campus that blends labs, industrial, studios, venues, and public space—purpose‑built for tough‑tech and culture.

Instead of scattering uses, Somernova concentrates them, so ideas move faster between people and from lab to pilot to market, and the neighborhood benefits every step of the way.

Tenant‑driven planning: buildings and infrastructure supporting scaling companies through the different phases of a company
Adaptable buildings: generous structure, floor‑to‑floor heights, high floor loads, and robust MEP for reconfiguration over time
Low‑carbon by default: electrified systems, efficient envelopes, and pathways to clean power procurement
Active ground floors: intentional, independent retail, galleries, studios, food & beverage, and community spaces that promote collaboration, inspiration, and community
People first Public realm: focusing on people and the community’s activities first, with native plantings, shade, seating, and art integrated throughout

The Solution

Interior of a modern multi-level building with people walking, cycling, and using stairs and elevators, featuring large glass windows, digital display screens, and colorful vertical columns.

People walking, talking, and playing outside a modern building with colorful murals and large windows, under a pink sunset sky.

A bustling urban park scene with people walking, cycling, and playing. In the background, there is a tall modern brick building with large windows and artsy signs. Trees and greenery populate the area, and children are playing on a colorful playgroun

Children playing and socializing in an outdoor urban courtyard with modern brick and glass buildings, murals, and trees.

Delivering this future plan requires coordinated execution across multiple work streams:

Zoning (Completed Spring of 2025): Adopt the Arts & Innovation Subarea, creating a zoning pathway for the expansion of the local innovation ecosystem
Community Benefits (Completed Spring of 2025): Finalize a Community Benefits Agreement, ensuring broad community participation in the success of Somernova
Project Labor Agreement (Completed Spring of 2025): Execute a PLA for Somernova’s expansion that will ensure good jobs and fair wages
Master Plan & Entitlements: implement the Arts & Innovation Subarea framework; align parcels, rights‑of‑way, and phasing with public benefits.
Phasing & Capital Planning: sequence delivery with lease expirations; stage investment to mitigate vacancy risk and maintain stable cash flow
Tenant Partnerships: secure pre‑leases and expansion options; create shared labs and pilot infrastructure to reduce fit‑out costs
Construction Mitigation: case‑by‑case plans with neighbors and tenants to maintain operations; clear construction controls, logistics, and communication
Mobility & Access: prioritize bike/walk safety, T connections, loading management, and limited parking with demand management
District Sustainability: electrification and net-zero-ready buildings, passive house construction, green roofs, stormwater capture, and LEED-certified buildings
Public Realm Delivery: build parks, plazas, and cultural assets throughout the expansion.

How can we do it

In summary, the first phase of our master plan will:

1. Deliver initial buildings and upgrades — an adaptable R&D/industrial space with active ground floors and key public‑realm links with infrastructure upgrades enabling the growth

2. Enhance community anchors — continue to maintain The Dojo @ Somernova, youth center, bring daycare to the district, fit‑out the youth & family center and secure a long‑term home for a mid‑size arts/music venue.

3. Impact — Bring people together in spaces that can help them to create outsized impact

We aim to set a new standard at Somernova for how innovation districts power progress, cultural vitality, and inclusive growth—right here in Somerville.