Stevens Group Represents Aras Corp. in 20,000 Sq. Ft. Lease

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

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September 2011

ANDOVER MA — Aras Corp. will soon have a new headquarters, but relocating from its current space here at 300 Brickstone Square, will be as seamless for the burgeoning technology firm as one could imagine. After considering options throughout Interstate 495 North, Aras staff need only take the elevator two levels down from the ninth floor into nearly 20,000 sf that tenant representative Debra Stevens terms “as close to 100 percent plug and play as they come,” with the prior tenant spending heavily on fit-out and infrastructure prior to being lured into Boston.

“It’s awesome,” says the Stevens Group principal who lists main benefits as the stylish FFE left behind, plus extensive window lines along three walls on top of multiple private offices desired by her client. Stevens also credits the owner Transwestern and a cooperative building and leasing team for convincing Aras to remain at the master-planned business park. “It was an aggressive deal,” Stevens says, although she declined to offer specifics on terms due to confidentiality contracts.

Stevens also represented Aras in the lease of its ninth floor location five years ago when Aras was operating from nearby Lawrence. As in that instance, the new commitment represents a substantial increase in space for Aras, with their present headquarters concentrated in 8,000 sf.

About Aras Corp

Aras is the leading provider of enterprise open source Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software solutions. Freedom from licensing eliminates up-front expenses and per user costs while superior technology makes Aras the most advanced enterprise PLM solution suite available. Customers include Motorola, Rolls-Royce, Freudenberg, Lockheed Martin, Ingersoll Rand, Hydrometer, Hi-P and ACCO Brands. Aras is privately held with global headquarters in Andover, Mass.

About The Stevens Group

The Stevens Group is the Boston affiliate of ITRA Global, the International Tenant Representative Alliance, an organization of independently owned commercial real estate firms with offices in major markets in North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. ITRA Global is one of the largest organizations in the world that provides objective real estate advice and services exclusively to corporate tenants and occupiers of commercial real estate.