Relocation from Rhode Island to Boston reflects the next step in Hasbro’s play-driven, partner-focused Playing to Win strategy
PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 8, 2025-- Today, Hasbro, Inc., a leading games, IP, and toy company, announced it will relocate its Rhode Island operations to 400 Summer Street in Boston’s Seaport District. This new location will be the primary headquarters for Hasbro’s toys, board games, and licensing businesses, and a majority of its corporate services. This strategic move positions the company to accelerate innovation, attract top talent, and drive long-term growth in line with Hasbro’s Playing to Win strategy which emphasizes play-driven engagement and collaboration with partners.
The 400 Summer Street facility, developed and owned by WS Development, will house teams that power some of the world’s most iconic brands, occupying seven floors across 265,000 square feet. The new space will be home to at least 700 full-time employees expected to transition from Rhode Island to Boston by the end of 2026.
"We are thrilled that Hasbro has chosen Massachusetts as the home of its new headquarters, and we're ready to support the hundreds of jobs they will create here," said Governor Maura Healey. "We're proud to welcome this iconic company to Team Massachusetts — where we are number one for education, health care and innovation. I’m grateful for the leadership of Chris Cocks and his team at Hasbro, and for the hard work of my economic development team that helped make this possible.”
“I’m delighted to welcome Hasbro to its new home in Boston,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The creativity and wonder at the heart of Hasbro’s work are also at the heart of our mission to make Boston a home for everyone—the safest major city in the country and the best place to raise a family, with opportunities for all to Connect(4) and Play(-Doh). We look forward to supporting Hasbro’s transition to Boston and partnership with the city.”
While Hasbro is establishing a new home in Boston, the company’s ties to Rhode Island remain strong.
In 2024 alone, Hasbro contributed over $1 million in product and in-kind donations to local Rhode Island organizations, including long-standing partners like Hasbro Children’s Hospital and the Rhode Island Special Olympics. The company plans to continue to support Hasbro Children’s Hospital with annual donations and will keep recruiting from Rhode Island’s colleges and universities—honoring the legacy of the Hassenfeld family’s deep roots in the state. For more than a century, Hasbro has grown alongside the community, and that commitment continues today.
In addition to its new East Coast facility, on the West Coast, Hasbro’s Renton, WA office serves as the headquarters for the Gaming and Digital businesses. This Seattle-based hub is already home to legendary franchises like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, as well as Hasbro’s expanding digital gaming and technology operations. The office, located in the scenic Southport area on Lake Washington, is currently home to more than 500 employees and growing. Hasbro currently occupies 111,000 square feet across three floors.
“Boston’s thriving business community, deep academic partnerships and cultural vibrancy, together with our Seattle team’s leadership in technology, creativity, and innovation, give Hasbro an unparalleled foundation for growth,” said Chris Cocks, CEO, Hasbro. “Together, these offices will fuel the next chapter of Hasbro.”
Hasbro is building a structure that strengthens speed, agility, and innovation. Boston and Seattle are two of the nation’s leading innovation and tech centers, serving as talent magnets that will help Hasbro harness the full power of the company’s portfolio and unlock growth in both physical and digital play.
With locations anchoring the East and West Coasts of the U.S., Hasbro is reinforcing its position as a global company with a footprint to match. Beyond Boston and Renton, Hasbro operates campuses and manufacturing sites across the broader U.S., as well as major offices in Hong Kong, London, Mexico City, and Montreal. Each plays a critical role in the company’s creative pipeline, digital innovation, and operations. These locations strengthen Hasbro’s ability to deliver world-class brands and experiences to fans and families around the globe.
6 hours ago, Fozzi said:Why is moving 44.5 miles north to Boston a big deal it would be a bigger deal if the moved to Seattle so the digital gaming part and the toy divisions were in the same city.
But moving 44.5 miles to me is not a big deal.
Employees who built their lives in Rhode Island (buying homes, raising families, establishing social networks, etc.) now face the prospect of relocation or a much longer, more expensive, and more stressful daily commute. While Boston and Pawtucket are geographically close, the reality of a daily commute from one area to the other is a major burden. Ask anyone who's driven or taken the train from Rhode Island to Boston. It sucks.For those who choose to relocate to the Boston metro area, if they can, it means a significantly higher cost of living and significantly higher home prices. Even if Hasbro offers a raise to offset this (they likely won't), it may not be enough to cover the increased costs of housing, taxes, and daily expenses. This can put a serious strain on household budgets.Relocation isn't just about moving a job - it's about uprooting a life. Employees who choose to move to Boston will leave behind friends, family, and support systems. For families with children, the move also means a disruption to schools and social lives.For many, neither relocation nor the commute is a feasible option, and this situation becomes an involuntary layoff. The company may not call it a layoff, but for the person who has to leave their job, the effect is the same.Hasbro is a major employer in Pawtucket. The loss of hundreds of jobs will mean a significant hit to the local economy. This can impact everything from small businesses that rely on employee patronage to the city's tax base.When a major company moves, it takes with it a pool of skilled and talented workers. This can make it harder for the area to attract and retain other businesses in the future.With fewer high-paying jobs in the area, property values may stagnate or even decline. This can hurt homeowners who have invested in the community and now find their most significant asset is worth less.Hasbro's been a part of Pawtucket's identity for decades. Its departure is not just an economic event but a blow to the city's sense of self and a loss of a historical landmark. The company's been there for over 100 years - I think even in the same building.
Hasbro gets a smaller headquarters (downsizing) and to pay less in local taxes. But lower local property and corporate taxes may not offset what are surely to be increased operating costs, not to mention the high costs of the relocation itself. Those upcoming price increases Jay's warned us about...those are likely tied to this move. Hasbro can say "tariffs," and that won't be a complete lie, but consumers are paying for them to go to Boston.
There ya go. Thats how its a big deal.
Why is moving 44.5 miles north to Boston a big deal it would be a bigger deal if the moved to Seattle so the digital gaming part and the toy divisions were in the same city.
But moving 44.5 miles to me is not a big deal.
__scaled_800.jpg)
