“We really want to get out of the property management role,” said Eric Buehrens, associate dean for planning and real estate at HMS. “We will be almost virtually out of the property ownership business in that part of Mission Hill.”

HMS officials could not provide the exact number of rental properties the school still owns in the neighborhood, though they indicated that the number was less than 10.

The school originally bought the property in the 1960s to provide land for expansion, but strong community opposition thwarted any such plans.

“Our [future building] needs were not going to be fulfilled on these collections of property,” Buehrens said.

HMS officials said that the school is very committed to maintaining affordable housing in the neighborhood in the sales. Thus the school was particularly pleased the transfer to property to the tenant’s association.

The new 10-story BWH research facility will be built on a tract of land bordered by Francis, Binney and Vining Streets and Fenwood Road. The hospital will now seek the approval of the City of Boston to begin construction.

—Staff Writer Daniel P. Mosteller can be reached at dmostell@fas.harvard.edu.