"Crate and Barrel's distribution center here has proven to beefficient and effective in supplying the company's retail storesalong the East Coast," says Jules Nissim, a senior director forC&W in East Rutherford, NJ, who co-brokered the deal with StanDanzig, executive director in the same office, and Gene Spiegelman,executive director of C&W Retail Services. "The company is alsorealizing the significant benefits of being in a foreign-tradezone, including considerable savings in supply chainlogistics."

As reported by GlobeSt.com,in early 2003 Crate and Barrel initially leased 675,000 sf for abuild-to-suit distribution center at the site, located in the NewJersey Turnpike Exit 8A submarket. That commitment, also brokeredby the C&W trio, actually yielded two facilities, a furniturebuilding of 300,000 sf and a housewares distribution building of375,000 sf. Rockefeller delivered both buildings in 2004.

In the latest deal, Crate and Barrel has exercised an option toincrease the size of the housewares building to a total of 650,000sf, with the new space designated to serve as a pick-and-packfulfillment operation for direct marketing orders. Rockefellerofficials say they expect to complete that expansion by the end ofthis year.