2025 Year in Review: Stephen Drohosky, Cummings Properties

Looking back at 2025, what deal, project, or key moment best reflected the direction of the New England CRE market this year? The launch of Beverly Landing condominiums at Cummings Center highlights the evolution of New England’s CRE market toward vibrant, mixed-use communities. With two upscale residential communities framing the campus and a rich mix of healthcare providers, attorneys, life science and tech firms, service businesses, restaurants, fitness facilities, and other amenities, the development functions as a true “city within a city.” This environment fosters powerful synergies, as both residents and leasing clients routinely support on-campus businesses for their everyday needs.

As you look ahead to 2026, which emerging trends or shifts will shape opportunities for you, your firm, or your market sector? Rising demand for simplicity, speed, and predictability in the leasing and buildout processes will shape major opportunities in our sector. Prospects are moving away from traditional models that require them to coordinate architects, contractors, and financing. Instead, they increasingly value turnkey, vertically integrated solutions. This trend plays directly to our strengths as a one-stop shop: Cummings can customize space efficiently, fund buildouts upfront, and fold costs into monthly rent, with construction, design, leasing, and property management all in-house.

What accomplishment or milestone stood out for you or your firm in 2025? Portfolio-wide, we surpassed our own performance in new business acquisition, signing substantially more new leases in the first three quarters of 2025 than during the same period in 2024. In Beverly, we reached a record 93% occupancy – well above the regional market. Despite intense competition in the area, prospects continue to be drawn to our strong value proposition, exceptionally well-maintained campuses, and responsive, hands-on client service. Today, 620 businesses call Cummings Center and Dunham Ridge in Beverly home – nearly double the number we served two decades ago.