Vertex towers in South Boston sold for $1.1 billion

A week after Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. held a riboon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its move into new headquarters on the South Boston waterfront, the building’s developer has announced plans to sell the property.

Senior Housing Properties Trust said it will pay $1.1 billion for the two 15-story buildings in the Innovation District.

The $682 per-square-foot price tag eclipses other deals in the neighborhood.

Look inside the gleaming new complex.

Vertex’s headquarters comprises 1.1 million square feet in two buildings connected by a walkway.

Paul Tecca, left, of Wellesley and Ravin Warna of Greenville, R.I., conversed in the hallway after lunch. Vertex is the first major pharmaceuticals company to move from Cambridge to the Innovation District.

Scientists Malar Pannirselvam, left, of Lexington, and Donald Hodges of Mason, N.H., played a quick game of table tennis at lunchtime.

By March, 1,300 Vertex employees will work at the South Boston towers.

There are sprawling seating areas with comfortable tables and chairs as well as a game room adjacent to the cafeteria.

Construction and development costs for the towers came in at $800 million. The rent is $72.5 million a year over a 15-year lease.

A bridge connects the two buildings that make up the new headquarters.

There are spaces for informal gatherings throughout the hallways.

Ashley Jones, of Charlestown ,and Steve Schiavo, of Southborough, enjoyed their lunch break. “I love the booth,” said Jones. “It’s comfortable and you can still have a private conversation.”

Here’s another seating area in the complex.

Mark Morris, of Somerville, worked to neutralize a solution before proceeding with an experiment.