First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc., a leading fully integrated owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate, announced that construction is underway for a 358,000 square-foot industrial facility within the First State Crossing master-planned development in Claymont, Delaware.
The facility is being built on 28 acres of land that First Industrial purchased from Commercial Development Company, Inc. (CDC) earlier this year. Located at the intersection of Philadelphia Pike and Naamans Road in New Castle County, the property is situated just 12 miles south of Philadelphia International Airport and offers immediate access to both I-95 and I-495. The site was part of a former steel mill purchased by CDC which master-planned the community to include industrial, office, retail, and residential components. At the center of the project will be a newly constructed transit hub which will connect First State Crossing to Philadelphia and other metropolitan areas. The entire project was recently honored with a 2023 CoStar Impact Award for the Philadelphia market based on the significant potential financial impact of this project for the state of Delaware.
The total estimated investment for the distribution center is $60.5 million with completion expected in the first quarter of 2024.
“We are excited that our facility is the first commercial component within the First State Crossing development and construction is off to an excellent start,” said John Hanlon, executive director for First Industrial. “The Northern Delaware industrial market along the I-95 corridor is seeing strong tenant demand due to its infill location serving the Mid-Atlantic consumption and efficient highway access to customers up and down the East Coast.”
The rear-load distribution center will feature a 40’ clear height, 68 dock-high door positions, 2 drive-in doors, 238 trailer stalls, 289 parking spaces, ESFR sprinklers and LED lighting. The building’s flexible design positions First Industrial to accommodate supply chain requirements for a single tenant or multiple users across a range of industries.
First Industrial’s team for this development is John Hanlon, executive director, Jim Knopka, director of development, and Brandon Carney, construction manager. The CBRE team of Dan Rattay and Drew Green will assist First Industrial with the leasing of this project. Construction is being led by Blue Rock, as the general contractor, and Joseph V. Belluccia, AIA is the architect.
Source: First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc