Hx2 Development is now marketing the next phase of its mixed-use Roebling Center project in Trenton, where its plans call for a 100,000-square-foot building geared toward life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing users. — Rendering courtesy: JLL
By Joshua Burd
A developer has unveiled its plan for a 100,000-square-foot life sciences facility in Trenton as part of its ongoing adaptive reuse of the historic Roebling Center factory complex.
The firm, Hx2 Development, is now marketing the Route 129 property alongside a leasing team with JLL, noting that it can deliver a core and shell within six months of lease signing. They pointed to the ongoing demand for life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing space, suggesting that speed to market remains a priority in the industry, while citing Roebling Center’s proximity to the region’s top-ranked higher education institutions and skilled workforce.
“The unique needs of the life science sector make Building 114 an ideal location,” said David Henderson, a managing principal with Hx2. “We will deliver the property ready for a custom buildout at a time when leading companies continue to actively pursue Class A R&D and lab spaces in one of the nation’s most competitive life sciences real estate markets.”
Building 114 marks the next phase of the 7.1-acre, five-building Roebling Center in Trenton’s Chambersburg neighborhood, where Hx2 is building a mix of offices, residential lofts and amenities at the landmark Roebling factory site, which produced steel cables for the Brooklyn, George Washington and Golden Gate bridges, among many others. Built by the engineer John A. Roebling, the complex dates to the late 1840s and is made up of stout and architecturally distinctive brick buildings, with high ceilings and airy interiors that figures to appeal to both residents and office tenants.
According to JLL, Building 114 will have abundant natural light and ventilation from expansive factory windows and skylights throughout the interior roof areas. Ceiling heights will range from 18 to 24 feet with 75-foot column spacing, the firm said, while the shape of the building roof makes it suitable for solar panels with increased production from reflected light.
“As the development of new space remains burdened by high land costs and administrative hurdles, Roebling Center presents an ideal solution to forward-thinking life science companies seeking specialized facilities in an urban enclave with tremendous accessibility and diverse neighborhood amenities,” said Thomas Romano, a managing director with JLL.
According to the firm’s first-quarter New Jersey Life Sciences Insight report, flight to quality has been a recurring theme of the industry, as established companies such as AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi have relocated or plan to relocate within the state to high-end spaces that reflect their new workplace strategies.
The announcement at Roebling Center follows a five-year lease with Taft Communications, a marketing consultancy, which will occupy 4,794 square feet suite at Building 110. The tenant will join environmental engineering firm Princeton Hydro, which occupies the entire 9,041-square-foot top floor.
JLL, which serves as Roebling Center’s exclusive agent, is now marketing the remaining 10,000 square feet of available space in Building 110 to creative tenants.
“Taft is a perfect addition to this diverse, vibrant and growing community and we are thrilled to now be moving forward with the redevelopment of Building 114,” Romano said. “It will offer tenants a custom space within an evolving live, work, play community in a region populated by skilled workers and surrounded by unrivalled transportation options that offer easy commuting options.”
Roebling Center is adjacent to the Hamilton Avenue station of NJ Transit’s River Line light rail line and close to the Trenton Transit Center, according to a news release. Building 114 also provides access to Route 1, interstates 195 and 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike.
Consulting firm inks lease to move to historic Trenton complex
