JLL tapped to lease The Birch Group’s The Collection at Short Hills (slideshow)

In April 2021, The Birch Group acquired a four-building office portfolio in Short Hills. On June 8, the firm introduced the rebranded and renovated property as The Collection at Short Hills, with JLL tapped to serve as exclusive leasing agents for the collection.

Comprised of 828,422 square feet, the offices are located at 51, 101, 103 and 150 JFK Parkway. JLL Executive Managing Director Tim Greiner, Executive Managing Director Frank Recine, Senior Vice President Brendan McBride and Associate Vice President Mike Pietrowicz will handle the leasing assignment.

“We see 103 JFK Parkway as one of the best opportunities in the market for companies looking for a trophy-quality headquarters location,” said Greiner. “As the world gets back on its feet and as companies look to return to the office, there is demand for high end, well located and fully amenitized space that creates a compelling environment for both clients and employees.”

Previous ownership invested $15.2 million in recently completed renovations at the properties, on top of which The Birch Group said it will add another more than $10 million in updates to the lobbies, cafes, common areas and restrooms. Plans for additional walking paths will boost connectivity at The Collection at Short Hills, and establish pedestrian access to The Mall at Short Hills.

“As one of the most affluent suburban office submarkets in the country, Short Hills is well-known for its established prestige, and we’re confident The Collection at Short Hills will not only continue to meet but also surpass the heightened expectations of the regional tenant base,” said The Birch Group President and Founder Mark Meisner in a statement. “Investing in tailored approaches to asset management is a hallmark of our strategy and we enacted an individualized improvement program specific to this submarket, which zeroed in on optimized work environments, top-tier building management, and luxury amenities. We look forward to officially unveiling The Collection at Short Hills, a truly one-of-a-kind office experience.”

The Collection at Short Hills also features private terraces, optimized outdoor spaces, high-end finishes, refreshed landscaping, state-of-the-art security and lounge areas, situated directly off of the Route 24 corridor.

The Collection at Short Hills boasts visibility and connectivity to the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 78 and the New Jersey Turnpike. In addition to access to The Mall at Short Hills, a Hilton Hotel, the Canoe Brook Country Club and residential communities like The Upton lend themselves to an expanding, walkable, mixed-use atmosphere and amenity base.

“Over the past few years, there has been a demographic shift to the suburbs and the migration of this talent pool represents an extraordinary opportunity to meet demand for prime office assets as companies place a renewed interest in providing top-notch office experiences for employees,” added The Birch Group Executive Vice President Chris DeLorenzo. “As one of the largest office owners in New Jersey and a prolific leader in the Tri-state area, The Birch Group set out to create a distinct community brand in Short Hills due to its unparalleled local and regional highway access, proximity to private country clubs, high-end hospitality, and other conveniences that you simply can’t find elsewhere.”

The Birch Group made a number of acquisitions in 2021. In addition to its $255 million purchase of the Short Hills properties, the privately held commercial real estate investor, owner and operator also added the two-building Alexander Park complex in Princeton for $47.3 million, and 4 Gatehall Drive in Parsippany.