In a market that posted a nearly 25% vacancy rate at the close of 2004, according to a report published by Cushman & Wakefield, the leases are welcome news. "The 128 North market's coming back, it's improving," David Connolly of CB Richard Ellis/Whittier Partners tells GlobeSt.com. "There are more people out looking and the better spaces are getting leased." This is the second 100,000-sf plus deal negotiated north of Boston this year for the firm, which also negotiated 10-year leases for a combined 150,000 sf at the Methuen Industrial Center with Crown Cork & Seal and Mattress Giant.

Both deals here involved companies in the moving and storage business. Pods Inc., a provider of mobile storage and moving services for business and residential users, will increase its presence in the Bay State, adding to the 60,000 sf it occupies at 675 Canton St. in Norwood. Pods currently has approximately 300 locations throughout the country.

In the second transaction, the Somerville-based Gentle Giant will increase its space commitment at the facility to 116,938-sf in Building Two. Creative Office Pavilion will move 90 Commerce Way in Woburn, where the company already has a dealer/distribution center.

Wilmington Industrial Park is a three-building, 454,000-sf office/industrial facility located at the former Sweetheart Plastics property. The park consists of three buildings, the 188,955-sf, 42%-occupied, Building Two, which the new tenants will occupy; the 244,863-sf, 39%-occupied Building One; and an office building with about 22,000 sf of rentable space.

Senior VP/partner Robert Gibson, and VP's Edward Jarosz and Hunter Emerson of CBRE/Whittier Partners represented Pods, while Gentle Giant was self represented. The CBRE Metro North Team of Connolly, EVP/partner Mark Reardon and VP/partner Bruce Levine represented owner GFI Partners.