17 Thomas J Rhodes Industrial Drive in Hamilton — Courtesy: Corporate America Realty & Advisors
By Joshua Burd
A used clothing wholesaler has signed a full-building lease for nearly 115,000 square feet of new industrial space in Hamilton, in a deal arranged by Corporate America Realty & Advisors.
The family-owned company, A&E Clothing Corp., is slated to move into 17 Thomas J Rhodes Industrial Drive later this month after the building’s recent completion, according to a news release. The eight-acre site provides it with a location minutes from Interstate 295 and other major highways, the brokerage firm said, serving a business that collects its clothing from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and Maryland and allowing it to reach several key cities within a 60-mile radius.
Corporate America Realty & Advisors President Howard Applebaum represented A&E Clothing. He also brokered the sale of the development parcel, which involved an assemblage, to 17 Thomas J Rhodes Industrial Drive LLC, while ARCO Design/Build Inc. constructed the 114,873-square-foot building.
“A&E Clothing Corporation principals first met with Applebaum in 2021 to inquire about potential properties where they could scale their growing business,” the brokerage firm wrote in its announcement. “After learning about the company’s business model and industrial real estate needs at their initial meeting, Applebaum presented 17 Thomas J Rhodes Industrial Drive. The property in Hamilton, NJ, had just been approved and appeared to offer the perfect solution for the A&E Clothing Corporation’s needs.
“On top of that, it is the only municipality in New Jersey that hosts U.S. Interstate 95 and both of its auxiliary routes, interstates 195 and 295. Hamilton Township has a diverse population of approximately 92,000 people and is the state’s ninth-largest municipality. Once completely moved in, A&E Clothing will be employing over 125 employees at its new facility.”
The deal with A&E Clothing, which also exports overseas and operates a chain of thrift stores, comes as the developer builds a 102,575-square-foot sister property at 58 Thomas J Rhodes Industrial Drive. Spanning around 7.5 acres, the second building will have 36-foot clear ceiling heights, wide bay sizes and up to 30 tailboard loading docks and drive-ins.
Currently under construction, the site’s finished core and shell are expected to be completed on or around Dec. 1, Applebaum said.
