DMR Architects Refits Long-Vacant Space for Frontage Labs

SECAUCUS, NJ—DMR Architects recently completed Frontage Laboratories' new 36,000 square foot fit-out at 200 Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus, NJ. The clinical research facility is the first tenant in this space in three years.

“We are getting a lot of business from companies looking to take older commercial and warehouse space and refit them for new purposes,” says Lloyd A. Rosenberg, AIA, president and CEO of DMR Architects. “The research and development sector is particularly active in needing more space, and we welcome the challenge of bringing new life to older buildings.”

Working for Rialto Capital Advisors, DMR is serving as building architect for 150-200 Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus. The overall scope of work at the buildings includes lobby and canopy redesign and tenant fit-outs.

In 200 Meadowlands Parkway, DMR redesigned the second story space that was vacant for three years to accommodate for the clinical lab's 160-bed clinical research center's administration offices, exam rooms, nurse's station, pharmacy, sleeping/observation rooms, labs, recreation center, bathrooms with showers, a kitchen and a cafeteria.

This is Frontage Labs' second building in North Jersey and will allow it to nearly triple its capacity in the United States.

“DMR Architects' plans created a space that complements our existing facility in nearby Hackensack, while allowing us to conduct a wider range of clinical studies,” says Eileen McAuley, senior vice president, Clinical Operations, for Frontage Labs. “Our needs are somewhat unique in that we need an environment where scientists can do life-saving work without it feeling too clinical for the patients who are visiting for a day or overnight.”

DMR has designed or redesigned spaces for numerous healthcare organizations and medical/research and development facilities including Hunterdon Healthcare Maternity and Newborn Care Center, and numerous projects for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and Children's Specialized Hospital lobby.

According to Marcus & Millichap's Medical Office Real Estate Report for the second half of 2014, nationwide, developers completed an estimated eight million square feet of research and development space in 2014, up from approximately six million square feet in 2013.

Correction, 7/7/2015: The correct address of the building housing Frontage Laboratories is 200 Meadowlands Parkway. Based on information supplied by DMR, an earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the property as 150 Meadowlands Parkway and also used an image of that property.