PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Medical Center Inc. has quietly purchased four downtown Pittsfield properties for nearly $1 million, expanding the hospital’s real estate footprint while leaving current tenants uncertain about what comes next.

According to the state registry of deeds, BMC purchased the properties located just down the street from its community hospital between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2. from private owners for a collective $960,000.

The nonprofit hospital has yet to publicly say what they intend to do with these properties.

698-700 North St. in Pittsfield has been acquired by Berkshire Medical Center. Berkshire County Arc uses the building to operate its Northview program that provides educational programming for adults with developmental disabilities.

In a statement to The Eagle, spokesman Michael Leary said the purchases are part of Berkshire Health Systems’ broader strategic planning and noted that many of the property owners had reached out to the health system first to gauge its interest.

Leary said plans for the properties are still in the early stages, and BMC intends to honor existing leases while staying in close contact with tenants about future decisions.

On Dec. 31, 2025, BMC purchased 690-692 North St., a parking lot, and 698-700 North St., a building with multiple storefronts, from North Adams resident Rutholive Patashnick for a total of $450,000. Effective that same day, BMC also purchased 311 First St., which includes a single-family home, from Patashnick for $150,000.

311 First St. in Pittsfield has been acquired by Berkshire Medical Center.

On Jan. 2, BMC purchased 674 North St. from Daryian and Evaguel Rhysing, both Pittsfield residents, for $360,000. The property includes a multi-family home.

674 North St. in Pittsfield has been acquired by Berkshire Medical Center from Daryian and Evaguel Rhysing, both Pittsfield residents, for $360,000.

None of the previous property owners could be reached for comment.

While BMC has yet to occupy the properties, the long-term future is uncertain for tenants in at least one of the buildings. Current occupants of the building at 698-700 North St. include Kidding Around Consignment, which sells secondhand maternity clothes and children’s items, as well as Berkshire County Arc, which uses the building to operate its Northview program that provides educational programming for adults with developmental disabilities.

690-692 North St. in Pittsfield, a parking lot, has been acquired by Berkshire Medical Center.

Amanda Ring, owner of Kidding Around Consignment, said she believed her store would be able to remain at 700 North St. until at least “the middle of next year.” While she said her interactions with BMC have been positive, she’s now facing the reality of having to eventually relocate her shop.

“We’re still just in the process of feeling out what steps we need to take,” she said.

Emily Klein, manager at Kidding Around Consignment, said the shop’s current location had worked well for business since it relocated there in 2019.

698-700 North St. in Pittsfield has been acquired by Berkshire Medical Center. Kidding Around Consignment is a current tenant of the building. “We don’t want to move,” Emily Klein said. “It’s a prime location.”

“We don’t want to move,” she said. “It’s a prime location.”

Meanwhile, leadership at Berkshire County Arc is optimistic about the building sale.

“The transition to the new property owners has been seamless,” said Maryann Hyatt, president and CEO of Berkshire County Arc, in a statement to The Eagle. “It is a new relationship, and they have been very responsive and supportive. As for the future, we have plenty of time remaining on our lease, and we look forward to working with them.”

The same building also formerly served as the location for the local unit of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, a union for nurses and health professionals, though it is unclear if the building unit is still in use. Some signage in support of BMC nurses was still visible in the windows of the former storefront on Tuesday. No one appeared to be inside.

Joe Markman, associate director of public communications for the union, did not respond to a request for comment.

BMC also purchased a building in Lenox for $3.6 million on Jan. 7. BMC had previously leased the property to house three of its medical practices, according to Leary: Berkshire OB/GYN of BMC, Berkshire Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, and Lenox Family Health of BMC.

“BHS had been leasing the space previously and a determination was made that purchasing the building would be more cost effective,” Leary said. “The three provider practices will continue to be located in that facility.”