From left: United Way of Northern New Jersey CEO John Franklin; former Verizon Communications Inc. top media executive and keynote speaker Marni Walden; CBRE Senior Managing Director and event moderator Kim Brennan; United Way Senior Vice President of Resource Development Theresa Leamy; and Normandy Real Estate Partners Founder and Partner Finn Wentworth, who received the United Way Spirit Award, were among those on hand for the 19th annual United Way Commercial Real Estate Network Legacy Luncheon. — Photo by Steve Hockstein/Courtesy of United Way of Northern New Jersey
By Joshua Burd
The state’s largest office lease of 2018 took home top honors at an annual luncheon hosted by the United Way of Northern New Jersey, which also recognized industry icon Finn Wentworth as part of a fundraiser that drew more than 500.
The organization on Friday presented Teva Pharmaceuticals USA with its 2019 Impact Award, recognizing the company’s long-term, 345,000-square-foot lease in Parsippany and the team of professionals behind the deal. The Israel-based generics maker is relocating from Pennsylvania to 400 Interpace Pkwy., where owner P3 Properties is overhauling the property, as part of a plan to consolidate and centralize more than 1,000 jobs.
The 19th annual United Way Commercial Real Estate Network Legacy Luncheon also honored Finn Wentworth, founder and partner of Normandy Real Estate Partners, with the United Way Spirit Award, according to a news release. The award honors an individual from the commercial real estate industry whose actions reflect the values of the United Way.
The event, which draws broad support from the state’s commercial real estate sector, raised an estimated $290,000 to help improve life for individuals and families who are working but struggling to afford the basics, which the organization describes as ALICE, an acronym for asset-limited, income-constrained and employed.
“We appreciate the longstanding support and generosity of this industry, which has helped put ALICE individuals and families on a path to financial stability,” said Theresa Leamy, the United Way’s senior vice president for resource development. “United Way also congratulates the Teva team for its commitment to retaining and creating jobs, providing a competitive workplace and having a positive impact on the local economy.”
The winning team in the Teva deal includes P3 Properties, Teva, Cushman & Wakefield, JLL, architect and contractor Unispace, landlord law firm Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and engineer AMA Consulting Engineers P.C.
The four other finalists for the award were Kindred/Atlantic Health System Rehabilitation Institute, Mack-Cali Realty Corp.’s suburban portfolio transformation; Ralph Lauren’s planned campus in Nutley and Verizon’s global headquarters campus.
Friday’s event also featured a keynote by Marni Walden, a 20-year wireless industry veteran and former Verizon Communications Inc. top media executive. The United Way highlighted support from gold sponsors JLL, Mack-Cali, Normandy Real Estate Partners, Turner Construction Co. and WB Wood. Since 2000, the commercial real estate industry has helped to raise more than $2.9 million for the United Way.
Teva, P3 Properties complete 345,000 sq. ft. lease in Parsippany, JLL says
