Calare Properties Acquires 156,000 Square-Foot Portfolio in Norwood, MA
December 17, 2014
Calare Properties (Calare), a private, Massachusetts-based investment firm with a focus on industrial real estate, announced today that it has purchased Norwood Business Center at 1400 Providence Highway (Route 1) in Norwood, MA. Surrounded by a collection of retail, office, and flex properties, the three-building, 156,000 square-foot (sf) purchase gives Calare a strong foothold in a premier business location. The seller was represented by Roy Sandeman and Chris Skeffington of Transwestern|RBJ.
Norwood Business Center is conveniently situated just three miles south of the I-95 and Route 1 interchange. Positioned on 18 acres of land, the facility is comprised of 23,000 sf of office space and 133,000 sf of single-story small bay industrial space, which can accommodate a variety of users, such as distribution and research and development (R&D).
Within the past three years, the asset has received $2,400,000 of improvements including a partial new roof, updated landscaping, an office elevator, and a renovated parking lot, which now provides a 3.1/1,000 sf parking ratio. Additionally, tenants have access to an abundance of local amenities including nearby restaurants, hotels, childcare centers, workout facilities, and high-end retail shops.
“We are pleased to announce our acquisition of Norwood Business Center, which adds another strong asset to our rapidly growing portfolio,” commented Bill Manley, CEO and CIO of Calare. “The property has received significant renovations in the past few years, and boasts a premier location with easy access to major highways, making it a top-tenant destination. The buildings are approximately 65% leased and we expect a high level of tenant interest following our purchase.”
Recently, the surrounding area has benefited from a surge of new retail and residential development (such as Legacy Place in Dedham, MA), and could position the property as a viable, mixed-use re- development site in the future.