A major New Jersey developer in financial partnership with a national insurance company has closed on a $50 million deal to acquire office buildings near Interstate 287 in Franklin and redevelop it as warehouse space.
400 Atrium JV LLC, part of Woodmont Industrial Properties of Fairfield, closed on March 31 the purchase of the property at 400 Atrium Drive off Davidson Avenue from EWA Somerset 400 Owner.EWA Somerset 400 Owner is a joint venture of EverWest Real Estate Investors of Manhattan and Woodmont Properties. The business brought the 28-acre property on Sept. 1, 2021 for $42.7 million, according to Somerset County records.
400 Atrium JV received financing from New York Life for the project, county records show.
In December 2023, the Franklin Township Planning Board approved a proposal to demolish the office building on the property and build two warehouses totaling more than 370,000 square feet less than a mile from the intersection of I-287 and Easton Avenue.
Plans call for two warehouses. Building One will be approximately 255,000 square feet and will have 44 loading docks and two drive-in doors. The second, a 115,000-square-foot building, will feature 34 loading docks and two drive-in doors.
“Atrium Drive illustrates Woodmont’s commitment to delivering high-quality industrial space in one of the Northeast’s most sought after markets,” Anthony Amadeo, executive vice president of Woodmont, said in a press release. “With limited new supply expected through 2026, this strategic redevelopment is well-suited for long-term success. We’re pleased to commence our new partnership with this redevelopment that will be in strong demand upon completion. We are confident that the site’s access and connectivity to key ports and distribution networks, efficiency and modern facilities will lead to success.”
The property is neighbored by Amazon, Nissan North America, PIM Brands, Veritiv and CRST, among others, and marks the insurance company’s first presence in the area.
Woodmont has developed warehouses in South Amboy, South Brunswick, Woodbridge, Lebanon Borough and Rahway.
The developer also has apartment complexes in Bridgewater, Metuchen, Woodbridge, Morristown, Princeton and Cranford.
Most recently, Woodmont received approvals for a 353,830-square-foot warehouse on Route 202 and Voorhees Corner Road in Raritan Township that was previously home to a U.S. Bronze manufacturing facility. Woodmont sold the fully approved site in November.
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