Plymouth Rock Leasing 130K SF from Mack-Cali in Woodbridge, NJ

WOODBRIDGE, NJ—Mack-Cali Realty Corporation signed Plymouth Rock Insurance to a 12-year, 130,000-square-foot lease at 581 Main Street, Mack-Cali’s class A office complex in Woodbridge, NJ. The lease brings the 200,000-square-foot property to 100-percent occupancy.

A provider of personal and commercial automotive insurance, Plymouth Rock has office locations throughout the Northeast. The insurance company’s lease at 581 Main Street comes on the heels of Mack-Cali’s completion of a comprehensive capital improvements program at the property, which included upgrades to the entryway and lobby, fitness center, full-service café, conference room, and exterior landscaping. Mack-Cali also added various forward-thinking technological features to the building, such as electric vehicle charging stations.

Mack-Cali senior vice president of leasing Toni L. Casiano represented the company in lease negotiations, while Colliers International managing directors Samuel Horowitz and Chris Hovanec represented Plymouth Rock, which is relocating from another Mack-Cali property.

“Plymouth Rock’s successful growth meant the company needed more space,” says Colliers’ Horowitz. “The new location would have to accommodate over 700 people with room for more as the company continues to expand. We also had to consider business continuity, increased collaboration, modernization of the facilities, and other issues. To mount an efficient search, we engaged in comprehensive dialog with the company, utilizing meetings, survey questionnaires, evaluations, and financial and other projections. The activities were designed to align Plymouth Rock’s long-term goals with the property’s ability to help achieve them.”

Colliers assisted with the space planning process, providing insight around modern space design, utilization and layouts, using demographic and other reports to guide the search process and assist in understanding how building configurations could impact operational efficiencies.

“Among other considerations, we evaluated the current employee base along with future recruitment needs, and integrated that with our market knowledge,” says Hovanec. “The Metropark area offered ease of access to major highways and to Amtrak and other rail stations, as well as a variety of shopping, food and living choices. Additionally, the exposure to both the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway provided an excellent branding opportunity for Plymouth Rock.”

“Compelling factors in the decision included renovations that Mack-Cali recently completed, including enhancements to the lobby and common areas, and such amenities as the food service facilities and a fitness center,” Horowitz says. “Mack-Cali continues to be a good partner for Plymouth Rock, and we’re pleased that we could work with them to accommodate Plymouth Rock’s New Jersey headquarters for the future.”

“Plymouth Rock is committed to providing the best possible work environment for our employees,” says Gerry Wilson, president of the Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey. “The new facility will help us to realize new levels of collaboration and productivity, enabling our teams to better meet the needs of our customers.”

Cushman & Wakefield served as the exclusive leasing agent for 581 Main Street.

“Plymouth Rock’s office lease in Woodbridge positions the company for continued growth in the Metropark region and provides its employees with immediate transit access,” says Michael J. DeMarco, chief executive officer of Mack-Cali. “The transaction is reflective of the enhanced interest we’re seeing from the marketplace following our recent capital investment in the property’s common spaces and amenities. The building has been entirely reimagined, with a new dramatic glass entryway and a number of forward-thinking flexible spaces with integrated technology.”

Located in one of the state’s most active business corridors, 581 Main Street provides high visibility from, and immediate access to, the New Jersey Turnpike. The eight-story building is served by Metropark and Woodbridge rail stations and NJ Transit bus service, and is 20 minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport.

As an additional amenity, Mack-Cali recently announced a partnership with ride-sharing service Uber, through which the company will pay $10 toward rides for tenants of 581 Main Street to and from the complex during commuting hours.

UPDATED, 6/4/2018, 3:24 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional perspective and comments from executives at Colliers International, who represented Plymouth Rock in its office space search.