Stevens Group Represents ICI Paints in Boston Lease

Boston, 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

March 2009

Boston, MA – ICI Paints recently announced it has relocated its Boston operations to 371 Dorchester Avenue, Boston, MA. Mark Stevens, Principal of The Stevens Group, provided tenant advisory services to ICI and assisted them in finding the new location and negotiating the terms of the lease.The landlord, Lahinch Limited Partnership, was represented in-house by Scott Digiacomo, Managing Director. The new location will provided ICI with larger and more functional space for the warehousing, distribution and sale of their extensive line of paint products to professional contractors.ICI Paints is part of the ICI Group (NYSE: ICI), one of the world’s largest producers of specialty products and paints.

ICI Paints worldwide has 49 manufacturing sites in 25 countries and more than 15,000 employees. Headquartered in Strongsville, Ohio, ICI Paints’ North American operations were formed when the ICI Group acquired The Glidden Company in 1986. Today, ICI Paints produces widely respected and tradition rich decorative coatings brands such as Glidden, Dulux, Ralph Lauren, Devoe, In 2008 ICI became a part of AkzoNobel, the world’s largest coatings manufacturer, number one in decorative paints and performance coatings, and a leading supplier of specialty chemicals.

The Stevens Group is a commercial real estate advisory firm located in Boston, MA, that specializes in exclusively representing companies in the leasing, acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate. The Stevens Group is a member/partner of the International Tenant Representative Alliance (ITRA) with 65 offices in major cities around the world.

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