A two-phase development at 900 North Ave. in Plainfield will include 81,000 square feet of new warehouse and industrial flex space and a 40,000-square-foot sports facility. — Rendering courtesy: The Blau & Berg Co.
By Joshua Burd
The site of a long-vacant building in Plainfield will soon be revitalized as more than 120,000 square feet of new warehouse, flex industrial and sports and recreation space.
According to The Blau & Berg Co., which arranged the sale of the property, ECA Acquisitions will join city officials next week to mark the opening of the facility at 900 North Ave. They’ll do so while hailing the transformation of an eyesore on the city’s East End, where the previous structure was demolished to make way for the two-phase project.
Phase one includes some 81,000 square feet of new warehouse and industrial flex space divided into five units ranging from 14,570 to 22,000 square feet, according to a news release. Four of the units will include two interior loading docks, while the fifth unit has four exterior loading docks.
The second phase, a 40,000-square-foot sports facility, will feature courts for tennis, soccer, volleyball and pickleball. Plans also include a fitness center, a restaurant, a sports bar, locker rooms and a spectator viewing area, with an 11,000-square-foot second floor that has an event room, a golf simulator, viewing areas and an arcade.
Blau & Berg’s John Longo, Peter Murano, Jason Crimmins and Alessandro (Alex) Conte represented the seller and the buyer, a firm led by Eric Rabinowitz and Barry Caldwell, in the sale of the 3.3-acre redevelopment site.
“For decades, this site stood as a symbol of neglect,” Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said. “Today, it serves as proof that strategic partnerships and community-centered leadership can breathe new life into previously overlooked spaces. With the development of this modern warehouse and dynamic sports facility, we are turning blight into opportunity, creating jobs, attracting investment and delivering a space where families, athletes, entrepreneurs and everyday residents can thrive. I thank ECA Acquisitions for believing in Plainfield and for sharing in our mission to reimagine what our city can be. Together, we are not just revitalizing a site, we are reshaping the future of our city, one bold project at a time.”
Caldwell added: “At ECA Acquisitions, we are fortunate enough to be able to design and build projects that have a positive impact on the community. This project is special to us because it is a community we care about and a community we are a part of. This building will produce high-quality jobs for local residents and immensely improve the neighborhood and area with a much-needed upgrade. We will also provide warehousing and entertainment for Plainfield and the surrounding area. It will also be a gathering place for locals that serves the community in a productive manner. We are proud of the collaborative effort from our team and the City of Plainfield that has brought this project into reality.”
