Union Distribution Center at 901 Lehigh Ave. in Union Township — Courtesy: PREMIER Design + Build Group
By Joshua Burd
PREMIER Design + Build Group has completed its latest project in New Jersey, delivering a nearly 152,000-square-foot industrial facility in Union Township for Brookfield Properties.
The firms said the property, located at 901 Lehigh Ave., has modern features such as 36-foot clear ceiling heights, 28 dock doors, two drive-in doors and parking for 16 trailers and 123 cars. It’s also notable for sustainable design elements such as carbon-reduction concrete slabs — a modern solution that lowers environmental impact — as part of a project that was designed and built to certification standards under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design scale.
“This project exemplifies what happens when innovation meets purpose,” said Jason Hart, executive vice president of PREMIER’s eastern region. “By building an advanced distribution center that supports both local economic growth and environmental responsibility, we’ve helped lay the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable future in Union.”
PREMIER designed and constructed the 151,676-square-foot Union Distribution Center, which also includes a 4,000-square-foot build-to-suit office area, on Brookfield’s behalf. It did so while overcoming significant technical challenges such as having to build near active transportation infrastructure, including a transatlantic railroad and a passenger rail line at the rear of the property, as well as Newark Liberty International Airport.
The project also used tilt-up concrete panels, a construction method uncommon in the Northeast, particularly during winter months.
“Assisting the client in a project, whose priority was to contribute to the local economic growth and sustainability (LEED), was a tremendous testament to all the effort and drive from Brookfield Properties and PREMIER,” said Sabrina Krasner, project engineer at PREMIER Design + Build Group. “The purpose of this build was to provide growth opportunities and allow local companies to utilize the space while having access to a major transportation market.”
Brookfield said the project, which is in a high-demand logistics corridor with direct access to major transportation routes, supports regional businesses seeking modern, efficient distribution space while complementing the surrounding community. That helped attract an undisclosed manufacturer as part of a deal that was announced this summer by Lee & Associates – WBE New Jersey.
“As someone who grew up in Union, this project holds special meaning for me,” said Frank Van Der Veken, a senior associate with Brookfield Properties, who oversaw the development. “Seeing this site transformed into a modern, sustainable logistics center feels like a full-circle moment. The property has been revitalized into a state-of-the-art facility that is preleased to a full-building user, creating opportunities for businesses and local jobs. It’s incredibly rewarding to see Brookfield investing in the community I’ve always called home.”
Brookfield leases up new 152,000 sq. ft. industrial building in Union, Lee & Associates says
