BarCo Brands has leased 17,100 square feet The Commissary at Baseline, Denholtz Properties’ new food and beverage hub at 675 Oceanport Way in Oceanport, where it’s slated to open a bar and restaurant known as Baseline Social. — Courtesy: Denholtz Properties
By Joshua Burd
A third tenant has committed to Denholtz Properties’ new food and beverage destination at the Fort Monmouth site, taking the remaining space at the 53,000-square-foot building.
According to the development firm, BarCo Brands is taking 17,100 square feet at what’s known as The Commissary at Baseline, at 675 Oceanport Way in Oceanport, where it will open Baseline Social. The establishment is slated to debut in spring 2023, serving as a new location for local restaurateurs Andrea Pappas, Greg Bartz and Phil Villapiano.
The BarCo Brands founders also operate Deal Lake Bar + Co, an American-style bar and restaurant in nearby Loch Harbor with an open concept boasting three bars and a large outdoor dining area, according to a news release. The selection of a second location follows BarCo’s addition of Tim McMahon as director of growth and development early this year.
“Our success in opening and operating Deal Lake Bar + Co inspired our ownership team to seek out opportunities to create an entirely new concept in the local market,” Pappas said. “We firmly believe in the vision that Denholtz Properties has laid out for Fort Monmouth, and we are thrilled to be an integral part of the historic property’s success story.”
Baseline Social will join Birdsmouth Beer, a craft brewery and tasting room scheduled to open this fall, and MGT Foods, a third-generation wholly owned family business behind popular food brands such as Mr. Green Tea Ice Cream, Mr. Mochi, The Bear & The Rat Cool Treats for Dogs and Eat Mud Non-Dairy Ice Cream. Denholtz has filled The Commissary at Baseline after acquiring the former commissary building in 2020 as part of a 26-acre site, where it has launched a multiphase redevelopment to create a retail and commercial hub at the gateway to the historic property.
Plans for Baseline Social call for an expansive LED viewing wall and a 38-seat platform lounge suited for live music or private events, the news release said. The space also figures to have a 3,700-square-foot entertainment section containing five virtual golf bays with full-swing technology, along with a mezzanine that can host private parties and everyday guests.
Beyond the interior space, a large outdoor bar and lounge section will feature 11 bar seats, a variety of seating options with infrared heaters and a firepit lounge for three-season access.
“Our goal wasn’t to simply lease up The Commissary at Fort Monmouth,” said Kristine B. Hurlbut, Denholtz’s senior vice president for leasing. “We wanted to bring in tenants that provide experiences and products unlike anything else in the local market. Through the leases with MGT Foods, Birdsmouth Beer and, now, BarCo Brands, we have successfully brought our vision for this important property to life. We look forward to the success of these tenants and beginning our next phase of redevelopment at Fort Monmouth.”
Denholtz also said it’s moving forward with plans for phase two, including the construction of 72,400 square feet of modern speculative industrial and flex space spread across three buildings on the site of the former warehouse district. Construction of the three buildings is slated for completion in 2023.
Dessert maker takes 20,000 sq. ft. at new Denholtz food, beverage facility on Fort Monmouth
