By Joshua Burd
An industrial building in Flemington is getting new life as a recreational facility, under a newly completed lease by NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co.
The brokerage firm announced that it arranged an 11,200-square-foot lease at 19 Royal Road, where an operator plans to create an indoor pickleball facility. Set to open in September, the space will house what NAI DiLeo-Bram described as a mix of ping pong, tennis and badminton and one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation.
“We had numerous inquiries for the vacant space, as there is limited industrial availability in the Flemington marketplace,” said Marc Shein, a senior vice president with the Piscataway-based brokerage firm. “The building, having clear span, a 21-foot ceiling height and being fully air conditioned and zoned for recreational use, attracted interest from various sports-related groups,” he added.
Shein completed the lease on behalf of the operator, Flemington Pickleball Club LLC, which was founded by childhood friends, sports enthusiasts and longtime Hunterdon County residents Bob Drinane and Eric Luque. The Flemington Pickleball Club will be the county’s first indoor pickleball-only facility, with five climate-controlled courts and a spacious lounge area for players and spectators.
In a news release, the broker and tenant noted that pickleball is played on a court that is about a third of the size of a tennis court, using a paddle and a colorful perforated hard plastic ball.
“We wanted to create an experience that combines fitness, competition, entertainment and community, and can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels,” Lugue said. “We believe the sport of pickleball and the facility at 19 Royal Road provide us the right combination to realize our goal.”
