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JLL and Hx2 Development begin work on life sciences facility at Roebling Center in Trenton


TRENTON, NJ — Hx2 Development and JLL announced that work is underway on the next phase of the 7.1-acre mixed-use Roebling Center, a five-building community of offices, residential lofts and amenities rising from the bones of the historic Roebling wireworks in the Chambersburg neighborhood of Trenton.

Building 114 is a 100,000 s/f facility tailored towards the life sciences and pharma manufacturing sectors. Its core and shell can be delivered ready for tenant fit-out within six-months of lease signing to meet demand within the sector for well-located, high-quality space with access to the region’s top-ranked higher education institutions and skilled workforce.

The facility will feature 100,000 s/f of space with abundant natural lighting and ventilation from expansive factory windows and skylights throughout the interior roof areas. Ceiling heights will range from 18-to-24 ft. with 75 ft. column spacing. The building roof is suitable for solar PV, with its shape able to provide increased production from reflected light.

“The unique needs of the life science sector make Building 114 an ideal location,” said Henderson. “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.”

JLL managing director Thomas Romano added, “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.”

According to JLL’s Q1 2023 New Jersey Life Sciences Insight, flight-to-quality has been a recurring theme of the industry, as established companies including AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb and Sanofi have relocated within the state into high-end spaces to accommodate new workplace strategies.

The announcement comes following a lease with marketing consultancy, Taft Communications, Building 110. Taft signed a five-year lease to occupy a 4,794 s/f first floor suite, joining environmental engineering firm Princeton Hydro, which occupies the entire 9,041 s/f top floor. JLL, which serves as agent for the Roebling Center, is now marketing the remaining 10,000 s/fof available space in that building to creative tenants.

Thomas Romano, the JLL managing director leading the marketing effort, said, “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. 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.”

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