The basics:

• NAI Hanson named leasing team for 120 Mountainview Blvd. in Basking Ridge
• 121,858-square-foot Class A office building previous headquarters to BNED
• Owner First National Realty Management plans major renovations
• Property targets medical, research and corporate users

A new assignment sets NAI James E Hanson as the exclusive leasing team for trophy office building 120 Mountainview Blvd. in Basking Ridge.

Located in desirable Somerset County, the Class A headquarters space comprises 121,858 square feet. The former world headquarters for BNED (Barnes & Noble Education Inc.) also offers an accessible location near Interstates 78 and 287.

New property owner First National Realty Management LLC tapped NAI Hanson for the assignment. Neither the acquisition price nor the value of planned site investments were immediately available. Beyond traditional office space, the building features amenity space, plans for renovations and versatile E-3 Office zoning.

The latter designation includes hospitals and medical clinics, scientific and research laboratories, educational centers, and front- and back-office support for banking and financial institutions.

The exclusive NAI Hanson leasing team includes Senior Vice Presidents W. Joshua Levering and Charles Laginestra, along with Associate Chris D’Andrea.

“This is a rare opportunity for companies to secure large blocks — or even an entire building — of Class A office space in one of New Jersey’s most established corporate corridors,” said Levering. “With experienced ownership … 120 Mountainview Blvd. is ideally positioned for companies seeking a signature headquarters offering flexibility, connectivity, responsive ownership, and a full suite of premium amenities.”

Plenty of potential

Privately held commercial real estate owner and management firm First National Realty Management has its headquarters in Lyndhurst. The company’s portfolio features a mix of office, medical office, industrial and retail across New Jersey and Florida.

“We saw the potential in 120 Mountainview Blvd. from day one,” said First National Realty Management President Anil Bansal. “Our plan is straightforward: invest the capital and attention this property deserves and make it the premier address in Basking Ridge. We’re committed to that for the long term.”

Built in 2002, 120 Mountainview Blvd. currently includes a two-story lobby, on-site cafe, outdoor seating areas, a bocce court and over 500 parking spaces. It sits among nearly 22 acres of wooded and landscaped surroundings with walking paths. The building is also near a variety of restaurants, hotels and service amenities.

Planned updates will aim to reposition the Somerset County office space to target today’s users. The work will:

• Demolish a former Barnes & Noble office installation
• Make extensive renovations to the lobby and common areas
• Upgrade building systems

BNED announced its move from Basking Ridge to the master-planned The Green at Florham Park in 2025. The Mountainview Boulevard site also formerly housed Kennedys Law LLP (and its previous iterations). The law firm moved to The Park in Berkeley Heights in recent years.