The eight-story buildings are the last major component in this Somerset County township's town center concept, which began to evolve back in the early 1980s. The other major components include the recently opened Bridgewater Marriott Hotel and the Bridgewater Commons Mall. The latter, an upscale super-regional center that ranks among the top per-sf sales producers in the Garden State, was recently expanded by owner The Rouse Co., a project that included the addition of a new Bloomingdales department store.

"We are thrilled to witness the culmination of our planning efforts," Bridgewater Mayor James T. Dowden noted at the ribbon-cutting. "We certainly welcome Hines' project."

Bridgewater Crossing is part of Hines' newer national strategy of developing office facilities in "amenity-rich, 'suburban core' locations," according to Michael Pride, project manager for the company in New Jersey. "It exemplifies our evolution into suburban markets where efficiency of space design is paramount. Our traditional Fortune 500 clients now want cost-effective facilities, as well as architectural significance."

Designed by the Hillier Group of Princeton, NJ, Bridgewater Crossing has 37,500-sf floor plates. It amenities include four route-diverse telecommunications pathways and high-speed Internet access trough a fiber optic riser. It is located at the confluence of I-287, I-78 and Routes 22, 202 and 206.

Insignia/ESG of New Jersey, Saddle Brook, is handling the assignment for the 180,000 sf that remains available at Bridgewater Crossing. The firm's executive director for New Jersey, Patrick Murphy, along with managing director Sam Buckley, director Ward Greer and associate Pat Riedel are handling the assignment.

"Hines has created one of the most distinctive and amenity-rich office complexes in New Jersey," says Buckley. "The ongoing interest at this site is attributable to the combination of new office, hotel and retail space, masterplanned years ago by Bridgewater Twp."