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Waymo Leases Large Industrial Facility in Malden

The 65,000-square-foot site will support Waymo's efforts to bring autonomous taxi service to the Massachusetts market.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Commercial

Wide shot of a brick industrial warehouse with metal loading doors, situated in a paved service yard, representing commercial facility expansion.
Waymo has secured a 65,000-square-foot industrial facility in Malden, Massachusetts, as part of the company's expansion of autonomous taxi services into the Greater Boston region. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Waymo has leased a 65,000-square-foot industrial building at 180 Charles St. in Malden. The facility acquisition supports the companys ongoing push to secure regulatory approval for operating autonomous taxis in Massachusetts.

Why it matters

Securing local facility space is a key operational step for Waymo as it works to bring driverless taxi services to Greater Boston. This expansion comes as the region sees a cooling in the industrial real estate market, with vacancy rates reaching 10.4 percent.

The leased property at 180 Charles St. spans 3.8 acres and features 25-foot clear heights in a 65,000-square-foot building. Asking rents for industrial space in the region currently sit at $16.33 per square foot.

The players

Waymo

An autonomous driving technology company that develops self-driving taxi services and has been conducting vehicle testing in Massachusetts.

Jessica Giannino

A state representative who filed legislation in 2025 aimed at requiring human backup drivers in autonomous vehicles.

The details

Waymo occupies the entire single-story building to house operations and support its autonomous vehicle fleet. The site, originally completed in 1977, was purchased for $24.45 million in 2022. These facilities provide the necessary square footage to scale technical testing that has been ongoing in Greater Boston since winter 2025.

Timeline

  1. 1977: The industrial building at 180 Charles St. was completed.

  2. 2022: The property was acquired for $24.45 million.

  3. Winter 2025: Waymo began testing autonomous vehicles in Greater Boston.

  4. 2025: Rep. Jessica Giannino filed legislation regarding vehicle safety.

  5. Q3 2026: Industrial vacancy rates rose to 10.4 percent.

The Home Front

Waymo's lease of a large industrial site marks a high-profile entry into a commercial real estate market currently grappling with rising vacancies. This shift reflects broader trends in Greater Boston where industrial availability has climbed to 10.4 percent.

Residents should anticipate an increase in autonomous vehicle testing on local roadways as Waymo scales its regional presence. Those tracking commercial development can monitor local zoning and public safety filings related to Rep. Giannino's proposed vehicle safety legislation.

The takeaway

Waymo's expansion into Malden signifies a major push for autonomous transport in the region. Local stakeholders should track upcoming legislative sessions regarding vehicle safety requirements to see how state regulations may evolve for self-driving fleets.

Further reading

For more on shifts in local business property and infrastructure, visit the Commercial section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Banker & Tradesman.

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