The buildings "are an important strategic purchase for us," Berklee VP for real estate William Whitney tells GlobeSt.com. The properties at 155, 159-165 and 167-171 Massachusetts Ave. are "the corner of Main and Main for Berklee's campus," notes Whitney. The school already occupies space in 155 Massachusetts Ave. for faculty offices and the ground floor and basement of 167-171 Massachusetts Ave. for student rehearsal studios. There are several commercial tenants in the office space, while the retail includes a Dunkin' Donuts, Wendy's and Thai restaurant.

The purchases are not wholly unexpected, according to a member of the Berklee College Task Force. Meg Mainzer-Cohen, president of the Back Bay Association, says the task force was apprised that Berklee is pursuing real estate near its campus at 1140 Boylston St., but says she had not heard of specific properties or what uses are envisioned. And while the scope of the school's master plan is still being defined, Mainzer-Cohen praises the acquisitions. "In my mind, it's good news," she says, adding, "they definitely have community support for purchasing and developing new space."

Mainzer-Cohen notes, for example, that the task force sent a letter to a local church asking it to sell a strategic parcel to the college. And while a proposed expansion on a school-owned property at Boylston St. and Massachusetts Ave. was criticized for being too large, Mainzer-Cohen says she anticipates Berklee will make another attempt to build there in the future. In the meantime, Mainzer-Cohen says she anticipates the recent purchases will be reviewed at the next task force meeting.