In a move reflecting the digital transformation within the real estate sector, Boston Properties completed the sale of an office complex located at 140 Kendrick Street in Needham, Massachusetts, for $132 million to a joint venture between Cross Ocean Partners and Lincoln Property.
The transaction, finalized in December 2025, marks a first in the U.S. office market as it included, for the first time, the transfer of digital rights associated with the property alongside the physical ownership. These rights cover control over the building’s digital representation, as well as the ability to use and monetize it through technologies such as augmented reality, spatial computing, and location-based digital advertising.
To enhance the reliability of these rights, the transfer was recorded using blockchain technology through the Digital Rights Network platform, enabling them to be documented and transferred independently from traditional property ownership.
Industry experts believe this step could signal the beginning of a new phase in the valuation and management of real estate assets, as the integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence into the built environment continues to grow—potentially influencing future methods of real estate valuation and investment.
