FLORHAM PARK, NJ-“We know we can't move the buildings” along Campus Drive here closer to trains or downtown, says KBS regional president Chuck Lindwall, “but we can bring the transit, shopping and restaurants right up to the office door.”
As part of the repositioning of the suburban campus, KBS is beginning new shuttle van service to and from the Convent Garden train station four minutes away – and encouraging office tenants to make use of the vans for shopping/lunch hour trips to the nearby Short Hills Mall and other destinations.
Also, notes KBS's asset manager Shannon Hill, service amenities are being added in the buildings, “freshening and plumping up” what is available in-house. For example, the cafeteria at 100 Campus Drive, where Zoetis had its office opening ceremonies last week, is being redecorated and given a healthier and more expansive menu; on-site massages are now available in the fitness center; and one building tenant's request for larger mail facilities was quickly accommodated.
Hill says the security service at the buildings is also being amended to make it more “welcoming.” A security “ambassador” will greet visitors at the door and directs them to their destinations within the buidlings.
The KBS REIT II acquired the Park Avenue at Morris County office campus in a two-part transaction in 2007 and 2008, paying a record-setting $365 million for the trophy park. The campus includes six buildings at 100-600 Campus Drive. More than two-thirds of the tenants at the complex also have offices in Manhattan – and many employees are commuters.
Zoetis, the animal health-care company spun off by Pfizer, brought 400 employees to the campus this summer. Gov. Chris Christie appeared at the company's 100 Campus Drive offices for grand-opening ceremonies last week.
The property is managed by CBRE.
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