Northeastern University begins construction

Spectrum News announces that the university has broken ground on a 300,000-square-foot campus that will become the institute’s permanent home. For now, the university is leasing space to the institute.

The Institute addresses innovation in the technology sector by educating students about new technologies and acting as a business incubator for technology startups.

The institute first came to Maine in 2020 with a $100 million investment from Maine technology entrepreneurs David and Barbara Roux.

The institute has around 800 students and its CEO, Chris Mallett, says the university expects this number to rise to 2,000 students when the project is completed in 2028.

The institute has helped launch 70 companies in the past three years, and the university expects 50 to 100 new startups to emerge from the renovated facility.

Once completed, the new campus will include a 58,000-square-foot former baked bean factory that will be renovated. Next to it, on a currently vacant lot, will be a 245,000-square-foot building to be called the Alfond Center.

Mallett said construction is expected to be completed in late 2027 or early 2028. The university expects classes there to begin in 2028.