In March of last year, Johnson & Johnson signed the original lease for its consumer products division while the building was undergoing extensive updates that included a re-design of the central atrium, the addition of a new elevator and improvements to other common areas. JER/Herring acquired the 235,000-square-foot property in late 2005, and immediately undertook a renovation project to make it suitable for multiple tenants. According to Alex Gilbert, head of the US Fund Business at JER Partners, Johnson & Johnson's expansion brings the building to "near capacity." Also on the tenant roster are Oscient Pharmaceuticals and Blessing White.

Spanning 70 acres, the complex is located at the intersection of Orchard Road and Route 206. Among its amenities are basketball, tennis and sand volleyball courts; a regulation softball field; and picnic area. It also features a fitness center, conference facility, restaurant, yoga classes and massage services.

"This is a good example of a company taking advantage of the current economic climate to upgrade its office space to a class A building at a moderate price," notes Jamie Herring, owner of Herring Management. "Flexibility also played an important role in getting the transaction completed. We were able to satisfy Johnson & Johnson's occupancy needs immediately by providing temporary space while the improvements to the original leased space were completed. This eventually resulted in the expansion." The property is near one of the firm's major facilities in Skillman. NJ.Colliers Houston represented Johnson & Johnson and JER/Herring in lease negotiations.