SPEC-TACULAR

Who told you not to build spec? It wasn't Corporate Office Properties Trust CEO Rand Griffin—he's starting 1.5M SF of new office construction nationwide this year.
Yesterday, he told ushis company has four spec projects under construction in the Baltimore metro: two 110k SF projects at The National Business Park in Anne Arundel County (410 & 430 NBP) and two buildings totaling 160k SF at North Gate in Aberdeen, slated to deliver late this year or early 2012.
Rand says he sees the projects as a way to keep up with demand from BRAC activity and Cyber Command's move to Ft. Meade; in his experience, "contractors need space immediately, so we think ahead for them." NBP has used 3M SF of its 5M SF development potential. COPT has around 2M SF on tap across the road at Arundel Preserve.
Development costs usually run around $220/SF, with another $40/SF for build out. Asset Management SVP Jud Williams tells us some tenants spend up to $80/SF on space due to security requirements. Rand says every major defense contractor working at Ft. Meade is represented at NBP (asking rent $36.50/SF), and North Gate aims for the same crowd.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Baltimore Newsletters
Related Stories

What's At Stake For CRE In Tuesday's U.S. Midterm

The Data Center Election That Matters Isn't In Congress

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Could Expand In North Texas

GGP To Redevelop Former Dick's Sporting Goods Store At Frisco's Stonebriar Centre

From Pandemic Darling To Cautionary Tale: Pickleball Clubs Face A Reckoning After Betting Big On Retail Space

Morningstar Releases New Details On Over 350K SF In Q3 Office Leases

4,500-Acre Data Center District Approved In Pennsylvania Town

New Bears Stadium Proposal Floated For Bridgeport

Georgia's Utility Board Race Could Reshape Nearly 20 GW Pipeline Of Data Centers

Prologis To Develop 3.8M SF Industrial Park On Former Casino Site

Foundry Robotics Leaves San Francisco For New East Bay HQ

How Terrell Is Transforming Into A DFW Aerospace Powerhouse