Stevens Group Represents BCD Travel in 9,000 sq. ft. Lease Renewal

Boston, Commercial Real Estate, News, Tenant Representation

Founded in 1980, The Stevens Group is a Boston-based commercial real estate brokerage and advisory firm with more than four decades of experience helping companies make informed real estate decisions. Today, our practice is centered on Corporate Real Estate Advisory & Tenant Representation, providing independent, conflict-free guidance to tenants and occupiers throughout Greater Boston and beyond.

We advise clients on site selection, negotiations for new leases, renewals, relocations, expansions, consolidations, and specialized office, R&D/lab, industrial and flex requirements. As the Boston affiliate of the International Tenant Representative Alliance (ITRA Global), we can also support clients across the U.S. and internationally while maintaining the senior- level, hands-on service of an independent firm.

The Stevens Group has been certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) since 2011 and is proud to celebrate 15 years of certification in 2026.

What inspired you to start your company, and what has shaped your journey woman business owner in CRE?

The Stevens Group was founded by my parents, Mark and Debra Stevens, in 1980, and I joined the firm in 2013. My mother had a remarkable career in commercial real estate and showed me firsthand what was possible for a woman in the industry, while my father was an equally important mentor and supporter. Since Debra’s passing last year, carrying forward what they built has taken on added meaning. I am proud of our history and committed to positioning The Stevens Group for the future while preserving the integrity, reputation, and client focus that define us.

What are you most proud of about the company you’ve built? 

I am most proud of the trust we have earned and the long-standing relationships we have built with clients over more than four decades. Our size and independence allow us to stay closely involved, be responsive, and give objective advice. I also value that we have continued to evolve and stay current while remaining true to how we do business.

Celebrating 15 years as a certified women business enterprise is another milestone I am especially proud of.

What are you most excited about for your company and its future? 

I am excited to continue expanding the ways we support clients as their real estate needs become more complex. We have the advantage of being nimble, experienced, and highly personal in our approach, while our ITRA Global affiliation gives clients broader reach when they need it. I see the next chapter as thoughtful growth, interesting assignments, and continuing to strengthen our reputation as a trusted advisor to corporate occupiers.

What does being a woman-owned business mean to you, and what perspective would you share with women considering starting a business of their own? 

Being a woman-owned business is meaningful to me because it reflects how far opportunities for women in commercial real estate have come. CRE Brokerage is a demanding career, but I believe women can build successful businesses and careers in this industry without having to choose between professional growth and the other priorities in their lives. My advice is to seek out strong mentors and advisors, trust your expertise and create a culture that values high performance and flexibility. The right environment can make a meaningful difference in sustaining a rewarding career over time.

FOUNDED:  1980

HEADQUARTERS: Boston, MA

SPECIALTIES: Corporate Real Estate Advisory & Tenant Representation; Office, R&D/Lab, Industrial & Flex Requirements

MARKETS SERVED: Greater Boston/Massachusetts; and national and international supportand consulting

WOMAN-OWNED SINCE: 2011

February 26, 2011

The Real Reporter – Joe Clements

WOBURN, MA – BCD Travel is not going anywhere after signing a 5-year lease renewal for nearly 9,000 sf of first class office space at TradeCenter 128. The LEED Gold-certified property overlooking its namesake Route 128 is owned by Cummings Properties, among suburban Boston’s largest landlords.

Deb's Photo

Debra Stevens

In announcing the commitment this week, BCD Travel’s real estate advisor, Debra Stevens of the Stevens Group, offers several reasons the renewal route was embraced after considering other options in the market. Building amenities and TradeCenter 128’s sustainability elements are among the positives cited, as is access to Route 128 and Interstate 93.  Also, Stevens adds, “the attention BCD has received from their landlord was a direct consideration for this decision.” Cummings was represented in-house in the lease negotiations by Derek Cook.

Terms of the renewal were not provided. According to a report by Jones Lang LaSalle, the Route 128 North office sector has an average asking rent of $21.90 per sf for Class A space after rents rebounded by 5 percent in the past 12 months following a market-wide slump.  JLL estimates the submarket’s vacancy rate for 12.6 million sf to be 16.4 percent.

A tenant representation specialist, Stevens counseled BCD Travel when her client first landed at TradeCenter 128 in early 2008 shortly after the speculative office development boldly opened in the teeth of a brutal recession. Small and mid-sized tenants have populated the cavernous complex through the downturn, creating a “dynamic” atmosphere that appeals to such firms, explains Stevens. The location has also proven valuable to BCD Travel, she says, offering quick access into downtown Boston and Logan International Airport.