Genzyme Chairman and CEO Henri Termeer announces plans for Genzyme Center, a new headquarters for the company to be built in the heart of Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass. Genzyme signs a lease agreement with Lyme Properties LLC for the new building, which will be the cornerstone of a new multi-use development.

Lyme Properties organizes an international architectural competition for the new building, drawing submissions from seven world-renowned architects. Behnisch, Behnisch and Partner, a German firm noted for its innovative and environmentally-responsible architecture, is awarded the contract. Turner Construction, who built Genzyme’s award-winning manufacturing facility in Allston, Mass., is chosen as general contractor.

The official ground-breaking ceremony is held at the Kendall Square site. The initial work focuses on soil remediation, transforming a contaminated former industrial “brownfield” into a healthy, buildable lot.

Construction begins on the new building.

The basic structure of the new building is completed. Turner Construction hosts a traditional “Topping Out” ceremony to mark the occasion.

The building is weather-tight, allowing detailed work on the interior to begin.

The “base building” is made substantially complete.

Furniture installation begins.

The building is completed. A planned two-week building commissioning period provides time for the building to “vent off” any residual contaminants from new materials prior to the arrival of employees. This period allows Genzyme to test the all important systems in the new building.

The first of nearly 900 Genzyme employees move into Genzyme Center, primarily from Genzyme’s current headquarters several blocks away.

The move is complete.

Genzyme Center receives the highest rating issued by the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation’s foremost authority on environmentally responsible building practices. Genzyme Center earned a platinum certification under the Council’s LEED^® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System.