The Northeast Science and Technology Center in Kenilworth is adding another well-known tenant to its roster, with New Jersey Institute of Technology set as the campus’s first academic partner.

NJIT plans to establish the NJIT @ NEST Center for Translational Research at the property, according to a Dec. 12 announcement from Onyx Equities. Occupying 25,000 square feet at building 15 NEST, the center will provide professors and students a dedicated area to conduct groundbreaking research as well as accelerate transforming discoveries into tangible solutions.

The high-profile tenant is the latest to sign on at the former Merck campus, following Revlon’s decision to move its R&D operations from Edison as well as CoreWeave’s long-term lease and commitment to invest $1.2 billion at the campus.

Onyx and Machine Investment Group acquired the property in February 2023 with the goal of establishing a life sciences, technology and pharma research hub. The acquisition of the nearly 2 million-square-foot site marked one of the largest office and life sciences transactions in state history.

“New Jersey is at the forefront of life sciences and technology innovation, and this partnership between NJIT and the NEST Center solidifies our position as a global leader in these critical industries,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “By investing in academic-industry partnerships, we’re not only fostering groundbreaking research but also creating jobs and driving economic growth that benefit all New Jerseyans. I’m proud to see NJIT and NEST lead the way in shaping the future of science and technology.”

NJIT’s latest move

At NEST, NJIT researchers and students will explore life sciences, biomedical engineering, biology, material science and engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, computing and artificial intelligence, according to the announcement.

“This partnership will provide NJIT’s researchers with access to first-class lab spaces and will open up tremendous opportunities for collaboration with others at the NEST Center,” commented NJIT President Teik Lim. “This opportunity aligns perfectly with our vision and new strategic plan, which calls for an expansion of NJIT’s role as a nexus of innovation that brings together people and ideas from around the world to spur creativity, innovation and high-impact practical research.”

To that end, NJIT signed another momentous lease in 2024, marking the largest office deal in the state’s biggest city. The more than 74,000-square-foot space in Newark will serve as a hub for non-student facing administrative functions. Additionally, NJIT is looking to further interact with the private sector, launching its office of corporate engagement in June with New Jersey Innovation Institute.

JLL Vice Chairman Dan Loughlin of JLL and Jonathan Scheinberg of Outshine Properties represented the ownership group of Onyx Equities, Machine Investment Group and Pivot Real Estate Partners in the lease transaction with NJIT at NEST.

“The ecosystem created between the private and public sector and both large companies and startups is best anchored by academia,” said John Saraceno, co-founder and managing principal of Woodbridge-based Onyx Equities. “For these reasons, we felt it was critical to bring NJIT—an institution of the highest caliber—to NEST. The decision for the university to move these facilities to the NEST campus will positively impact both healthcare and humanity.”