Creation invests $200M in Northeast industrial developments

Jessica Perry//October 19, 2022//

Creation invests $200M in Northeast industrial developments

Jessica Perry//October 19, 2022//

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Arizona-based Creation is moving forward with approximately $200 million in industrial developments across three sites in the Northeast, including in New Jersey.

The regional expansion efforts, announced Oct. 18, are part of a $1 billion joint venture portfolio that was launched earlier this year with institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Global Alternatives. In the Garden State, the company is currently working through approvals for its proposed site plan for McClellan One.

The project would bring a 120,000-square-foot Class A logistics building to a 10-acre site located directly adjacent to Newark Liberty International Airport at 192 McClellan St. in Newark, which is expected to offer 90 trailer stalls with freeway frontage.

Earlier this month, Cushman & Wakefield announced it represented the JV in securing $27.3 million in acquisition financing for the off-market transaction from the former owner, which operated a long-term parking facility.

A rendering for Creation RE's proposed 120,000-square-foot McClellan One speculative industrial property at 192 McClellan St. in Newark.
A rendering for the proposed 120,000-square-foot McClellan One speculative industrial property in Newark. – CREATION

“The Newark acquisition is a once-in-a-decade find and a crowning achievement in our real estate portfolio, which allows us to really set the stage for our growth and expansion into the region,” Creation Co-founder Bob Agahi said in a statement.

The company said construction will take approximately 12 months, with an anticipated start in late fall 2023.

The other Northeast projects are a 103,500-square-foot Class A warehouse/distribution center in Melville, N.Y., and a 178,000-square-foot Class A warehouse/distribution center in Islandia, N.Y. Both offer easy access to the Long Island Expressway. The former, where site work began last week, is expected for delivery in late summer 2023. It is pre-leased to Keurig Dr. Pepper, according to Creation, on a long-term basis at a “record-breaking” rental rate. In Islandia, meanwhile, a groundbreaking is expected in December 2022 with “substantial completion” due by early next winter.

“Creation is poised to establish a new Class-A standard on Long Island with these two underway industrial developments. We’re also actively pursuing two additional northern New Jersey acquisitions as we seek rapid growth in the area,” Agahi said.

The company’s team is growing, too. Creation said it added Luke Georgiadis as vice president of transactions last month. He will work to expand the company’s footprint on the East Coast. Additionally, a regional New York City office will open early next year.

According to Creation, its portfolio includes $4.65 billion of ground-up developments in major growth areas including, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Texas, California, Colorado and Tennessee.