PITTSTON, PA-Houston-based Men's Wearhouse has signed a long-term lease for a 300,000-sf distribution facility here along the I-81 corridor with access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It will be the retailer's first Northeast distribution center.

Wilkes-Barre-based Mericle Development Co. was constructing the building as a spec facility while representatives from CB Richard Ellis were in search of a Northeast site for Men's Wearhouse. Michael Hess, VP in CBRE's Harrisburg office, and Bill Wolf, SVP in the company's Allentown office, brokered the deal on behalf of the tenant. Hess tells GlobeSt.com the aggregate value of the lease is nearly $14 million, but declines to quantify the term.

"The building is currently under construction," he says, "and is expected to reach completion late this year. It was begun as a spec building, and Mericle is now fitting it out as a build-to-suit to meet Men's Wearhouse's requirements." Men's Wearhouse Inc. operates 529 stores in 44 states.

Representatives of Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, the developer's brokerage affiliate, represented the owner. A call to Mericle was not returned by deadline. Among the developer's properties are more than 900 acres in Pittston and Jenkins townships, including Centerpoint Commerce and Trade Park East along Centerpoint Boulevard. It also provides logistics services.