FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Cushman & Wakefield has arranged a 19,500-square-foot six-year lease extension and expansion for ECLC of New Jersey at 100 Passaic Avenue in Florham Park. ECLC of New Jersey, which provides lifelong services for those with special needs, utilizes the location for its executive offices and its P.R.I.D.E. clients. The signing includes an expansion from the organization’s previous 12,000-square-foot occupancy.
ECLC New Jersey was represented by Robert Donnelly, Jr. and Jason Tenenbaum of Cushman & Wakefield’s Morristown, N.J. office. Owner Jefferson-Pilot Investments Inc. was represented by Geoff Schubert of CBRE, who is currently marketing the property for sale.
“The transaction was initially complicated by the fact that the building was in the process of being foreclosed,” said Robert Donnelly, Jr. “ECLC and P.R.I.D.E, which needed to expand, were operating under the uncertainty of month-to-month leases. “The options were to extend the lease and expand within the building or relocate, and after reviewing alternatives the foreclosure process ran its course, and we were able to negotiate with the lender and commit to a lease in the building. “It was a pleasure to work with the ECLC and P.R.I.D.E staff in this process, and I am glad we were able to assist the great work they are doing.”
“With its existing set-up at 100 Passaic Avenue, it would have been costly to recreate a similar environment for the clients at a new location,” he said. “Ultimately, we were able to provide a solution that was mutually beneficial to all involved.”
ECLC, headquartered in Chatham, N.J., operates two schools for young people with special needs, and P.R.I.D.E., which stands for Promoting Responsibility, Independence, Decision-making and Employability, provides day and evening programs for adult graduates of the two schools with the goal of teaching life and employment skills. The expansion plans to include a new teaching kitchen, a model apartment and eight new skill development rooms.
“We needed this expansion and renovation, and with it we will be able to give parents and our adult clients peace of mind that P.R.I.D.E. will continue for many years to accommodate future graduates from our schools,” said ECLC Executive Director Bruce Litinger. “We made a commitment to guarantee a spot in P.R.I.D.E. to every graduate who wants to enroll, and we are very appreciative of the Cushman & Wakefield team for their role in making this happen.”
Situated on 7.8 acres in Florham Park, 100 Passaic Avenue totals 59,000 square feet. The industrial/flex/office building was constructed in 1977.