Environmental Engineering Firm to Relocate to 30 Independence Blvd.

WARREN, NJ—Whitestone Associates has signed a long-term lease for 11,871 square feet of space at Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT II Inc.’s 30 Independence Blvd. office building.

The environmental and geotechnical engineering and consulting firm is expected to take occupancy at the 207,252-square-foot Class A office building by March 2020.

The firm will occupy the second floor at 30 Independence Blvd. The engineering firm is relocating to the building from 35 Technology Drive in Warren.

Whitestone Associates was represented by Scott Lesh, managing director; Scott Stange, senior vice president; and Daniel Loughlin, vice chairman. Griffin Capital was represented by Timothy Greiner, executive managing director and head of agency leasing for JLL in New Jersey Daniel Spero, managing director and Dennis McConnell, executive vice president.

“Whitestone is creating a workplace environment that will help promote collaboration and employee engagement,” says Whitestone Associates’ Lesh. “The environmental and geotechnical engineering and consulting firm found 30 Independence Boulevard to be a great fit because it can accommodate all of Whitestone’s specialized staff and operations under one roof.”

“We’re thrilled to be able to maintain our corporate headquarters in Warren,” adds Thomas Uzzo, president of Whitestone. “The newly remodeled offices at 30 Independence Boulevard will allow us to better serve our expanding client base while offering employees a much-improved work environment with exceptional amenities.”

Whitestone Associates provides a full range of integrated environmental and geotechnical engineering and consulting services to a diverse client base. The firm has five offices across the Northeastern U.S. The firm’s multi-disciplined staff includes professional engineers licensed in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

The office building was acquired by El Segundo, CA-based Griffin Capital in October 2013 and is located near the intersection of Martinsville Road and Independence Boulevard. It offers immediate access to Interstate 78 and is close to I-287 and I-95.

Ownership has launched a multimillion capital improvement program designed by Studio1200 that includes a new prominent, branded entrance, exterior landscaping, expanded parking, a new lobby and a grand staircase leading to a redeveloped amenity level.

On Sept. 23, Griffin Capital Essential Asset REIT announced the sale of a 191,368 square foot, seven-level office building located at 7601 Technology Way in Denver for $48.8 million. The property was originally purchased by the REIT in June 2015 as part of a portfolio acquisition.