Darren M. Baird
Director
Boston
dbaird@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 6572Darren M. Baird
Director, Boston
dbaird@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 6572Related Expertise
Darren Baird advises owners, developers, and lenders on complex commercial real estate transactions and development projects. Non-profit institutions – particularly academic medical centers, health care providers, and institutions of higher education – seek Darren’s help with all of their real estate needs.
Clients appreciate how Darren navigates real estate law and tax-exempt compliance requirements. He draws upon his regular appearances before governmental agencies and authorities to successfully structure innovative joint ventures and ground leases that advance institutional missions without compromising tax-exempt status.
Complex transactions and development expertise
Darren leads master planning and development for complex mixed-use communities, institutional campuses, and lab and life sciences projects. In his work, Darren aligns specialized regulatory and operational requirements with design and capital strategy, coordinating with owners, anchor institutions, and public agencies to streamline approvals and advance viable, buildable projects.
Known for devising creative solutions to zoning, financing, and stakeholder challenges, Darren translates regulatory requirements into clearly structured deals and is skilled at negotiating joint venture agreements and ground leases between nonprofit and for-profit partners while managing 501(c)(3) governance, UBTI, and credit-rating agency considerations. In addition to this work, Darren has deep experience with housing and smart-growth tools, including Chapter 40B, the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Local Initiative Program (LIP), and Chapter 40R.
A leading resource for non-profit institutions
Darren devotes significant attention to advising non-profit organizations on real estate matters that support their institutional missions. Serving as both legal counsel and strategic advisor, Darren helps these unique clients navigate regulatory environments while maintaining tax-exempt compliance. He also structures innovative partnerships to advance institutional goals while protecting tax-exempt benefits.
Darren is co-chair of the firm's Medical, Educational & Cultural Institutions group.
Related Representative Matters
DivcoWest, as land use and development counsel for Cambridge Crossing, a transformative 4.5 million-square-foot, 43-acre mixed-use development spanning East Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston, featuring state-of-the-art life sciences facilities, residential communities, retail, and public spaces.
Prominent institution of higher education in the complex rezoning and redevelopment of approximately 10 acres in Cambridge, Massachusetts – formerly the United States Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center – a transformative, multi-phase project. Acting as principal counsel advising on regulatory, land use, and development matters arising from this significant initiative, along with ongoing work for the institution across its portfolio.
High-profile institution of higher education in rezoning of a 26-acre expanse of urban land adjacent to the institution’s main campus, obtaining entitlements for the development of 6 buildings within the above 26-acre parcel, and numerous other land use and permitting matters.
Boston Children’s Hospital, a nationally renowned pediatric and teaching hospital, in real estate, land use, and development matters, including as it relates to institutional master planning and numerous projects across the Greater Boston metropolitan area, including campus expansions, research facilities and laboratories, patient housing, ancillary medical properties, and endowment real estate investments.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the permitting and development of a 450,000-square-foot state-of-the-art cancer hospital in collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
International religious non-profit in the acquisition and development of a 90,000 square-foot community center in the Upham’s Corner area of Boston.
Academic institutions in transactions with for-profit developers involving land owned by the institution, including projects for graduate student housing, multifamily residences, and mixed-use commercial developments.
Greystar in connection with commercial development projects in Greater Boston, including permitting for the 74 Middlesex Avenue project in Somerville.
Leading national healthcare real estate investment trust in connection with a transformative, multi-building, mixed-use development spanning over 40 acres in Cambridge. The project includes residential, office, lab, and retail uses, and involves comprehensive permitting and development strategy across a high-profile urban site.
Premier life sciences real estate investment and development firm in connection with a 27-acre lab and office campus in Cambridge. The project involves extensive permitting and development work for a cutting-edge, multi-building life sciences hub in one of the region’s most competitive biotech markets.
AvalonBay Communities in all aspects of their large-scale development transactions in multiple jurisdictions, including acquisitions and permitting.
Institutional lenders and a national insurance company in numerous mortgage loans.
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Recognition
Chambers USA Guide
June 5, 2025
Accolades
- Best Lawyers in America® (2023-2026): Real Estate
- Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, Massachusetts, 2021-2025 (Band 2)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2009 – 2013
Affiliations
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Real Estate Bar Association
Admissions
- Massachusetts
Education
Castleton State College ( B.A. , cum laude , 1995 )
Suffolk University Law School ( J.D. , magna cum laude , 1999 )