Wharton arts school renews lease in Berkeley Heights

A long-time tenant in Berkeley Heights, The Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts recently renewed its lease for its 11,500-square-foot space at 60 Locust Ave.

NAI James E. Hanson’s Andrew Kirshenbaum represented The Wharton Institute. Angel Mitlo of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services represented the landlord – 50-60 Locust Avenue Associates LLC – in the transaction.

“In today’s market, it’s essential that tenants secure properties that fit their specific needs,” Kirshenbaum said in a statement. “With the current economic landscape creating complications for many tenants, it’s important that businesses work with an experienced brokerage team to determine whether a renewal or a new location is the best option for them. We’re proud to play a role in keeping The Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts in the Berkeley Heights community.”

The performing arts school occupies the full office/flex building, which is situated across from the Berkeley Heights YMCA and near Thomas P. Hughes Elementary School. According to NAI Hanson, the building has long been used for this purpose.

It features 16-foot ceiling heights, one exterior loading dock, 400-amp power service and a dedicated parking lot.

Comprised of the Performing Arts School, New Jersey Youth Symphony and Paterson Music Project, The Wharton Institute is the state’s largest independent nonprofit community performing arts education center, serving 1,500 students. Together with the symphony’s facility in New Providence, the organization says it offers more than  22,000 square feet of studios and rehearsal rooms, including space of varying sizes that can be rented for meetings and events, a recording studio and 100-seat “Black Box” theater.