Morristown, NJ &ndash Avison Youngthe world’s fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm, today announced that its New Jersey-based project management team is in the final stages of completing a multi-faceted educational facility on behalf of Newmark Education, a private school network for children with learning disabilities and behavioral disorders.
The assignment includes the redevelopment of an existing office building and the construction of two new structures located in Scotch Plains, N.J., to create a 58,315-square-foot, innovative learning complex that will house Newmark’s K-8 School and High School, as well as its administrative staff starting in September. Designed to enhance students’ educational experience, the school will feature a cafeteria, gym, learning commons, and teacher training area – designated for the professional development of teachers from across the country.
“At Newmark we pride ourselves on creating a dynamic learning environment that allows us to personally connect with each and every student so we can effectively meet their needs and ensure they reach their educational and social potential,” comments Dr. Regina Peter, Executive Director of Newmark Education. “From the beginning we were confident Avison Young would be able to help us achieve this distinct type of educational space that would foster our students’ growth. We look forward to the fall opening of what promises to be an exceptional facility both for our students and educators.”
The Avison Young team managing the assignment includes Edward Walsh and Tom Walsh, both Principals and Managing Directors of Project Management, Allison Arnold, Senior Project Manager, and Alyssa Wright, Project Manager.
“From the start, we were extremely excited about this project because of the school’s mission to create a special and outstanding learning experience for its students,” says Edward Walsh. “We are very proud to leave the Avison Young mark on this school that will contribute to the education of generations of young people to come.”
Comments Tom Walsh: “Beyond giving this special community a safe and effective learning environment for those who need it most, this opportunity also enabled us to grow our portfolio’s diversity and demonstrate that we are truly a total solutions provider, able to meet broad-based requirements for all project types.”
Featuring a beautiful brick façade, the new school incorporates wide corridors and brings the outdoors in through the use of large windows and skylights. To encourage energy efficiency the building makes use of Daylight controls for increased sustainability.<
The project represents the team’s third assignment assisting not-for-profit private education facilities.
Adds Tom Walsh: “This project required many special considerations and because of our deep construction knowledge, we were able to determine how to implement these requirements without sacrificing the overall design goal of the space. Once the students and staff arrive, we are confident they will excel in this new learning environment.”
Outside of managing the design and construction, Avison Young is responsible for overseeing plan review, construction budget and schedule review, and providing value engineering, assistance during the bid and award phase, contractor oversight and management of all owner vendors, including furnishings, IT, AV, and movers. Sharp Management, a division of Century 21 Construction, was a key team member, providing construction management services. Avison Young was also responsible for the overall project budget and schedule, as well as project communications.
Avison Young is the world’s fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Avison Young is a collaborative, global firm owned and operated by its principals. Founded in 1978, the company comprises 1,200 real estate professionals in 47 offices, providing value-added, client-centric investment sales, leasing, advisory, management, financing and mortgage placement services to owners and occupiers of office, retail, industrial and multi-family properties.