Merrill Lynch Ups Downtown Space

PHILADELPHIA-Triple Net Properties LLC of Santa Ana, CA is approaching the 100%-leasing mark at its newly purchased 983,000-sf 1818 Market Street building Downtown. In a new leasing transaction, Merrill Lynch has added 20,589 sf to its existing 9,020 sf and extended the lease by six years, from May 31, 2007 to March 31, 2013. The initial six-year lease ran from June 1, 2001 to May 31, 2007.

The transaction brings the class A building’s occupancy to 95%, says Triple Net Properties president Louis Rogers. Merrill Lynch is paying about $621,789 in gross annual rent or an estimated $7.46 million over the entire 12-year lease, based on the building’s quoted rate of $21 to $22 per sf, according to Downtown brokers familiar with the property. The tenant is relocating to the 18th floor from the 11th floor. Other name tenants in the building are Sunoco, the Day & Zimmerman law firm and Zurich Insurance.