PHILADELPHIA—The new mixed-use development planned for the site of a former Nabisco bakery on the Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia will start with construction of a new super Wawa convenience store, according to developers of the former manufacturing site.
The Provco Group began demolition of the former Nabisco facility last month, and hopes to bring a new development that will better serve the neighborhood around the iconic cookie factory.
“We are thrilled to own this iconic, landmark property”, says Michael Cooley, vice president of real estate for The Provco Group. “The goal and commitment to our neighbors of the Somerton Civic Association and district councilman Brian O'Neill, is to create a project not only unique to Roosevelt Boulevard, but to the region.”
For many decades, the Nabisco factory, a 600,000 square-foot facility originally built by the National Biscuit Company in the 1950s, was famous for the aroma of fresh baked cookies that billowed throughout the neighborhoods. The baking operation ceased production in 2015 and the 27-acre property sold a year later to a joint venture led by Provco, Goodman Properties and MCB Real Estate. Shortly thereafter, a portion of the facility was leased to Jako Enterprises, a company that owns and operates over 50 retail sneaker stores under the Kicks USA brand.
When the project went public, Cooley says former Nabisco employees contacted him to express their respect and appreciation for the building, which provided more than 800 jobs at its peak.
“It was great to hear from former Nabisco employees,” Cooley says. “They asked me if I could save some of the bricks and give them away for keepsakes. This is a special place to many people, so I plan to also use some of those old bricks for the new streetscape amenities we're building, so that a piece of the factory stands forever.”
With demolition underway, the first phase of development will deliver a Wawa convenience store and gas station pad, expected to begin construction this fall for a Summer 2018 opening.
The developers are looking for other retail tenants for the property.
“I am in dialogue with several, unique, retail and family entertainment concepts that don't currently exist in this region,” Cooley says. “These types of uses would not only generate net-new jobs but also create a destination that draws folks from a distance. Ultimately, we want to provide uses that will better serve the neighborhood and are excited to work towards delivering a quality project that residents of Northeast Philadelphia can be proud of.”
PHILADELPHIA—The new mixed-use development planned for the site of a former Nabisco bakery on the Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia will start with construction of a new super Wawa convenience store, according to developers of the former manufacturing site.
The Provco Group began demolition of the former Nabisco facility last month, and hopes to bring a new development that will better serve the neighborhood around the iconic cookie factory.
“We are thrilled to own this iconic, landmark property”, says Michael
Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.
Once you are an ALM Digital Member, you’ll receive:
- Breaking commercial real estate news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical coverage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
*May exclude premium content© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Steve Lubetkin
Steve Lubetkin is the New Jersey and Philadelphia editor for GlobeSt.com. He is currently filling in covering Chicago and Midwest markets until a new permanent editor is named. He previously filled in covering Atlanta. Steve’s journalism background includes print and broadcast reporting for NJ news organizations. His audio and video work for GlobeSt.com has been honored by the Garden State Journalists Association, and he has also been recognized for video by the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He has produced audio podcasts on CRE topics for the NAR Commercial Division and the CCIM Institute. Steve has also served (from August 2017 to March 2018) as national broadcast news correspondent for CEOReport.com, a news website focused on practical advice for senior executives in small- and medium-sized companies. Steve also reports on-camera and covers conferences for NJSpotlight.com, a public policy news coverage website focused on New Jersey government and industry; and for clients of StateBroadcastNews.com, a division of The Lubetkin Media Companies LLC. Steve has been the computer columnist for the Jewish Community Voice of Southern New Jersey, since 1996. Steve is co-author, with Toronto-based podcasting pioneer Donna Papacosta, of the book, The Business of Podcasting: How to Take Your Podcasting Passion from the Personal to the Professional. You can email Steve at [email protected].
