Chicago developer launches $44M distribution center project in Valley

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The buildings are being built on spec and expected to be completed by the end of the year, said Jeff Thomas, senior regional director for First Industrial Realty Trust and market leader for Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Total investment for the project is expected to be about $44 million, Thomas said this morning.

The 42-acre development will be on 58 acres at the southbound interchange of Route 33 at Route 248 in Lower Nazareth Township. The remaining acres are going to be marketed for other users, Thomas said.

Plans for the First 33 Commerce Center call for building a 341,400-square-foot facility and another at 243,360 square feet. Both buildings will feature 32-foot-clear height ceilings and interior and exterior energy-efficient lighting systems.

Though weather can be a challenge, the changing climate conditions are making it positive for a year-end construction completion, Thomas said.

Blue Rock Construction Management of Upper Macungie Township is the construction manager for the project, Thomas said.

Directly off Route 33, the center offers easy access to Interstates 78 and 80 and to one-third of the U.S. population and one-half of the Canadian population within one day’s drive, an advantage that drew First Industrial to buy the property.

“As far as location, the quick access to the highway, the infrastructure, mid-Atlantic population centers and eastern Canadian populations should be able to capture demand,” Thomas said.

Prologis has a development of distribution centers across the street from this site.

Though the First 33 Commerce Center property is being marketed as two distribution centers, Thomas said it could fit for manufacturing use as well, citing the strong power and infrastructure requirements already in place.

“Certainly with the design of our buildings, we try to cast as wide a net as possible to capture as many users,” Thomas said. “I think our location is set up well for manufacturing.”

Both buildings are divisible to meet the needs of multiple tenants, with the larger building divisible to 100,000 square feet and the second building divisible to 54,000 square feet.

Thomas, whose main office is in Harrisburg, is leading First Industrial’s team for the development of First 33 Commerce Center, along with Jim Knopka, senior director of construction.

“[There are] no tenants are lined up yet, but we are seeing interest from the market,” Thomas said.

Mark Chubb, senior vice president/principal, Michael Zerbe, senior vice president/principal, and Mike Capobianco, senior vice president, all of Colliers International, will work with First Industrial on leasing First 33 Commerce Center.