PHILADELPHIA—The Davis Cos. and Advance Realty have completed extensive capital improvements at 2750 Morris Rd., a 675,000-square-foot property in Lansdale, PA. Located just nine miles northwest of Philadelphia, the property, a former Ford Motor Co. electronics assembly plant, offers 375,756 square feet of climate-controlled technology, warehouse, assembly and production space, and 70,442 square feet of office space, all with a heavily redundant power and climate infrastructure that one of the partners describes as “hardened.”

Over an 18-month period after purchasing the property in August 2014, TDC and Advance Realty installed new building systems, a new roof and upgrades to common areas, new lighting, landscaping, parking, circulation and exterior wayfinding signage throughout the entire complex.

“It was a build-to-suit for Ford Motor Co.,” Davis SVP of asset management Mark Bush tells GlobeSt.com exclusively. “So we brought some of those HVAC systems up to date which were circa 1989, and a new roof. We've really brought the common areas up to a more office environment, vs. a straight manufacturing facility.”

2750 Morris Rd. has what Bush describes as a “hardened” infrastructure because of its manufacturing legacy. The facility includes dual substation power feeds, chilled water and compressed air delivery systems and five diesel generators. Some of the chilled water cooling systems are being replaced with more efficient modern roof-based “cooling packages,” Bush says.

Aerial view of 2750 Morris Road, Lansdale, PA

The diesel generators can supply the facility 10 megawatts of electric generating capacity, Bush says. “Because of that, we do offer temperature- and humidity-controlled environment, even off-grid, and that's very important for pharmaceutical packaging, medical packaging, lab space, or even a data center infrastructure.”

Cafeteria space and locker rooms dating to the Ford manufacturing facility are likely to be demolished when a new tenant moves in, Bush says.

“With an ideal infrastructure already in place for world-class manufacturing and assembly, the capital improvement plan focused on ensuring an optimal work environment for tenants' employees,” says Barry Quiner, Advance director of asset management. “We have high-quality tenants whose satisfaction requires not only a facility that is highly functional, but also an overall environment of comfort and safety, which we are committed to delivering.”

2750 Morris occupies 84 acres with prime access and signage opportunities off the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Exit 31, and Routes 202, 309 and 63. Conveniently located between King of Prussia, Plymouth Meeting, Center City, Philadelphia International Airport and the Lehigh Valley, the property is close to a variety of shops, services, and dining options.

The property is currently home to: Valmet, Vygon USA, and Fox Group Inc.

Cafeteria space and locker rooms dating to the Ford manufacturing facility are likely to be demolished when a new tenant moves in, Bush says.

The property is currently home to: Valmet, Vygon USA, and Fox Group Inc.

Instant Insights /

Davis and Advance Complete Capital Improvements at 'Hardened' Lansdale Industrial

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