In terms of geography that New Jerseyans would readilyunderstand in this state of "which exit are you from?" new W/Dconstruction has found yet another exit of the NJ Turnpike as amajor destination. Exit 7A has been the most recent hot spot, andnow 8A is catching up in the game. Matrix Development Group, basedhere, has started construction of a new 528,000-sf speculativewarehouse and distribution facility at its appropriately namedCenterPoint industrial park (8A is about halfway down the 120-mile'pike). Indeed, Matrix has recently run off a string of major dealsaiming to meet market demand. The company currently has some threemillion feet of industrial space under construction, with perhapsmore to come.

"Based on the strength of the market right now, we know thisproperty has marketability," says Jim Murray, Matrix's developmentproject manager. "This region continues to be a magnet forcompanies that need to access consumer markets in theNortheast."

The company's other current projects, mostly in south centralNJ, include a one million-sf build-to-suit W/D facility forSeaman's Furniture at Northeast Business Park, Washington Twp.; a550,000-sf distribution center for Lifetime Hoan Corp., also atNortheast Business Park; and a 150,000-sf warehouse andmanufacturing facility for Denby Associates. According to Murray,two pending deals at Northeast Business Park, and yet another atCenterPoint, could further raise those construction totals.