Ironside Newark at 110 Edison Place in Newark — Courtesy: Edison Properties
By Joshua Burd
A growing restaurant chain is coming to downtown Newark, having signed a lease at the 456,000-square-foot commercial and retail building known as Ironside Newark.
Edison Properties, the landlord at the complex, announced that it has secured a 1,829-square-foot commitment from Freshii, a Canadian operator that has more than 60 U.S. locations. The chain will occupy the fourth retail space at Ironside and is slated to open in spring 2021, with a storefront on Edison Place that provides direct access to the north lobby atrium.
“Freshii is the ideal tenant to join our retail space at Ironside Newark, complementing our growing array of food and beverage and specialty service tenants,” said Lenny Lazzarino, senior vice president of leasing of Edison Properties. “As Newark continues to reopen and kick-start its economy, Freshii will be a welcomed addition to downtown Newark, checking the box on another healthy alternative food option.”
Freshii is the latest retailer to join Ironside, a historic warehouse property that Edison restored and redeveloped into a high-end hub for office and retail users. The chain, which serves burritos, wraps and other products, will join tenants such as Halal Guys, SportsMed Physical Therapy and Oren’s Daily Roast.
Jason Pierson and Ryan Starkman of Pierson Commercial represented Edison Properties in the deal at 110 Edison Place, while Mike Testa and Matt Kenderian of Jeffery Realty represented Freshii.
“In spite of the pandemic and current economic moment, it’s encouraging to see continued growth and expansion at Ironside Newark and for Edison Properties,” said Allison Ladd, director of the economic and housing development of the city of Newark. “Freshii will bring vibrancy and expanded food options to Newark’s growing downtown core, perfectly timed to meet the growing demands of Newark’s citizens and working professionals.”
Ironside Newark is currently 76 percent occupied, with major office tenants including Mars Wrigley Confectionary’s North American headquarters, design and architecture firm Ware Malcomb, law firms Pearlman & Miranda and Robinson Miller and the new headquarters for Edison Properties, according to a news release. Office amenities include future restaurant outdoor seating and exclusive park-level retail fronting the new Mulberry Commons Park, street-level retail along Edison Place, a two-story lobby atrium, rooftop terrace and a high-speed dark fiber optic network, with loft-style and open workspaces.
“As a fast-growing company, Freshii is always looking for thriving areas to expand, and Ironside in downtown Newark offered everything we’re looking for,” said Gregory Lahr, owner of Freshii. “With direct and immediate access to Newark Penn Station and the Newark Liberty International Airport and flanked by a growing corridor of office and residential buildings, Ironside Newark is the perfect place to open our next franchise and bring healthy fast food to the local community.”