An aerial view of the former Colgate-Palmolive industrial campus in Morris Township and Morristown — Courtesy: JMF Properties
By Joshua Burd
JMF Properties has unveiled plans for transforming the former Colgate-Palmolive industrial campus in Morris County, where it has been named redeveloper.
The Whippany-based firm said this week that it planned to build residential and retail space on the 64-acre property, which straddles Morris Township and Morristown along East Hanover Avenue. Those plans include a 150,000-square-foot shopping center, 143 townhomes and 60 rental units.
JMF has been granted final site approval for the project after acquiring the property from Colgate-Palmolive.
“As the owner of a very large parcel with potential impact on multiple towns, Colgate-Palmolive required a developer with extensive knowledge of the municipalities affected by the development,” said Robert W. Dietz, vice president, global facilities, for Colgate-Palmolive Co. “Additionally, it was critical to identify a developer with experience in building residential and commercial real estate, and one that had a thorough understanding of the redevelopment process.”
The consumer products giant announced in 2013 that it planned to sell the facility by 2016 after occupying the property for more than 60 years, having used the campus to make products such as liquid hand soap. The company chose JMF among several prospective developers, prompting the firm to begin securing the required approvals.
The property is located across from Mennan Sports Arena in Morristown. The firms said the majority of the development will be located in Morris Township, with an additional phase situated in Morristown.
“As a result of the decision to select JMF Properties, an approval process that might otherwise have taken more than two years was accomplished in less than 12 months,” Dietz said.
JMF has already razed all of the existing buildings on the property, the firm said in a news release this week. The company has submitted for building permits and looks to break ground on both the residential and commercial portion of the development this spring.
“As a Morris County-based developer, we’re delighted to have secured such a well-located property with significant potential for both commercial and residential uses right here in our backyard,” said Joseph M. Forgione, the founder and principal of JMF Properties. “We have a real vision for this site, and look forward to working with Morris Township, Morristown and neighboring communities to deliver a project that will add to the vitality and financial stability of their towns for years to come.”
