On Friday, Subaru of America Inc. decided to build its new corporate headquarters
at the Gateway Office Park in Camden, N.J. Owned by Campbell Soup Co., it spans
45 acres and has room for 1 million square feet of office space.
Campbell's is master developer while Brandywine Realty
Trust was appointed to be the developer. The following timeline illustrates the
property's history:
February 2007: Campbell announces expansion of its
World Headquarters and the Gateway Redevelopment Plan to use vacant and
blighted properties around its campus to develop an office park and attract new
business to the City. Campbell is appointed as the Master Redeveloper of the
Gateway District. Campbell plans to buy approximately 13 acres of property
surrounding its campus, including the vacant, long-abandoned Sears building.
All of the acquired property is for the office park.
May 2007: Camden Planning Board voted to approve
the demolition of the Sears Building. A Camden activist filed a suit with the
NJ Superior Court to block the demolition of the Sears Building.
October 2007: Campbell purchases over three acres
adjacent to 11 th Street and Admiral Wilson Boulevard to include in the Gateway
plans.
January 2008: A NJ Superior Court judge
invalidates Camden's approval of Campbell's site plans, citing a conflict of
interest with the city planning board chair.
February 2008: Campbell remains committed to
staying in Camden and submits a revised plan, which does not include the Sears
building in the list of properties to be acquired. The company must go through
a new round of approvals with the city.
August 2008: Campbell purchases Parking Authority
Lot — adding 1.1 acres to include in office park.
October 2008: Campbell breaks ground on its 80,000
square foot employee services center.
June 2009: Campbell acquires 1.9 acres from the
Delaware River Port Authority to include in the office park. Campbell requests
Camden Redevelopment Authority to condemn the Sears building and seek eminent
domain.
June 2010: Campbell officially opens the doors to
the new 80,000-square-foot, three-story Employee Center. The LEED certified
facility has a contemporary design and also proudly showcases Campbell's rich
heritage and commitment to Camden.
February 2011: NJ Superior Court rules the city
can condemn and demolish the Sears Building.
June 2012: After three lawsuits and 5 years of
negotiations, Campbell purchases the Sears Building from owner Ilan Zaken for
$3.5 million.
June 2013: Campbell receives a permit to raze the
Sears building — demolition begins in early June.
September 2013: New Jersey passes the Economic
Opportunity Act of 2013. Companies that relocate to Camden will be able to
access the Grow New Jersey program and the Garden States Growth Zones (GSGZ)
program. Once a company is approved, the incentives can help fund the purchase
and building of new facilities.
October 2014: Campbell appoints Brandywine Realty
Trust as the developer of the office park project. Campbell will work with
Brandywine and partners in the city, county and state to establish the Gateway
District as a thriving business center. Campbell remains the Master Redeveloper
of the project.
December 2014: Subaru of North America chooses to
build its new corporate headquarters at the Gateway Office Park.
Timeline provided by Campbell Soup Co.
Source: Philadelphia
Business Journal
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