Multimillion-dollar renovation continues at Gannett Office Park, enhancing services for tenants
-March 21, 2011
AN ADVERTORIAL RESOURCE GUIDE
Gannett Office Park, one of the premier office parks in Westchester County, is continuing its makeover. Gannett Office Park's owner, Dryland Gannett LLC, and its affiliate, building manager Heritage Realty Services, are continuing their multi-million dollar renovation to improve building systems and add amenities to create the most cost-effective and highest- quality office environment for their tenants.
Located minutes from 1-287, 1-684, 1-95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway along White Plains' Platinum
Mile, the 340,000-square-foot Gannett Office Park consists of 2, 3 and 4 Gannett Drive.
'We are a locally based real estate investment and management firm and. are fully invested in Westchester for the long term," said AI Lawrence, managing director of property operations and leasing at Heritage Realty Services with deep roots in the Westchester/ Fairfield commercial real estate market. "We believe strongly in the local businesses that make up this market and understand their need for high-quality office space that is close to major transportation and located in one of the top business districts in the New York Metropolitan area."
Currently, there is a limited availability of office suites at Gannett Office Park. Available office spaces range in size from 2,000 square feet to 24,000 square feet. One of the largest is built to exceptionally high standards, with hard-wood floors, Herman Miller furnishings and its own completely redundant HVAC systems. A larger user will be granted the opportunity to also have the ability to place their name ~ on the new marquee fronting the building.
BRAND-NEW BUILDING SYSTEMS
Since taking over the office park in 2005, Dryland Gannett LLC and Heritage Realty Services have continuously invested in the property, adding both behind-the-scene and conspicuous upgrades to all three buildings, all of which meet or exceed Energy Star ratings. The upgrades are being overseen by an in-house design staff in conjunction with outside professionals, including international engineering company Thornton Thomasetti.
Upgrades to Gannett Office Park's buildings have included:
• Switching to a 100 percent digital climate control system;
• New rear entrance lobbies with new canopies, pavers, lighting and landscaping;
• A new and complete Energy Star roof replacement with a new reflective waterproofing membrane and penthouse reconstruction for 3 Gannett Drive;
• New, fully renovated touch-less common bathrooms;
• Major modifications to the duct systems;
• Brand-new, high-tech Carrier/Trane building management system (BMS);
• Enhanced state-of the art CCTV security/access system;
• New fire- and life-safety systems including software and fireproofing materials, as well as automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
In addition to the already completed enhancements, Heritage Realty Services' plans for Gannett Office
Park includes:
• Extensive new landscaping and parking area lighting.
• All-new common area and elevator, including full elevator cab replacements;
• Completely new, modernized elevator cabs and banks.
Amenities at Gannett Office Park include: an onsite, full-service cafe; child care; the brand-new state-of-the-art Strata Health Club featuring Westchester's most respected personal trainers (membership fee required); ample parking; and building-wide high-speed broadband Internet connection.
BRAND-NEW ENVIRONMENTALLY Responsible AMENITIES
Heritage Realty Services is most proud of its newest amenity offered to tenants: a glass-enclosed bicycle shelter and bicycle commuting program at Gannett Office Park. A creation of the Heritage Realty Services' LEED AP certified design team, the bicycle center is the first of its kind in Westchester, offering the growing owners of bicycle commuters in the Westchester area convenient, sheltered parking for their bicycles. Included with the bicycle shelter is free use of showers and lockers at the on-site Strata Health Club---another convenient amenity for Gannett Office Park tenants.
Heritage Realty Services is also a supporter of East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile trail system for non-motorized transportation linking Maine to Florida. East Coast Greenway is working closely with Westchester County officials to build bicycle trails along J-287 and major roadways throughout Westchester to encourage bicycle commuting.
"As a Westchester resident, and av.id biker and supporter of the East Coast Greenway, the bicycle shelter program we offer at Gannett Office Park is truly dose to my heart:' said George T. Constantin, president and chief executive officer of Heritage Realty Services.
"It's important to encourage bicycle commuting and other alternative modes of transportation, not only to help cut down on gas emissions, but also to promote a healthy lifestyle. We believe in the importance of sustainable living and have designed our properties to incorporate eco-conscious elements for our tenants' benefit as well as for the surrounding community:'
CARING MANAGEMENT
The in-house management team at Gannett Office Park takes a hands-on approach to property management: every request and issue, major or minor, is addressed by the Heritage Realty Services' team in a quick and efficient manner. Therefore, decisions are made sooner rather than later.
Lawrence joined the ownership and management company in late 2010 after serving several years as an owner's representative for many high-end landlords in Westchester and Fairfield such as: JMB Realty, Kennedy- Wilson Properties, Heitman Properties, Antares Real Estate Services, and Hines Interests.
"My many years in Westchester and Fairfield counties have given me the ability to know and understand the needs of local businesses," said Lawrence.
Now a regular fixture at Gannett Office Park, Lawrence visits tenants on a frequent basis, asking for feedback and getting to know tenants. By visiting with tenants, Heritage Realty Services is able to listen to and learn about tenants' needs. In fact, a vast majority of the capital improvement program elements originated directly from tenants suggestions and feedback.
"1 enjoy walking through our buildings, having lunch in our cafeteria and seeing people say hello and smile-it provides more satisfaction than anything else," said Lawrence.
Gannett Office Park is managed by Heritage Realty Services and is located in suite 155 of 4 Gannett Drive.
REBOUNDING WESTCHESTER ECONOMY
'While the ·•Great Recession" may have affected Westchester-area businesses in 2009 and 2010, the local economy is rebounding.
"We are seeing increasing interest from local businesses in Gannett Office Park- a sign that the economy is improving;' said Lawrence. "We're currently negotiating five leases for Gannett Office Park and recently signed on PNC Bank to take ground-floor space, a sign that business people are feeling better about the state of the economy and are now moving toward fulfilling previous expansion plans. Those who have been waiting on the fence are now realizing that there's a shift in the wind and now's the time to take advantage of the real estate market before it swings back to a landlord's market."
ABOUT HERITAGE REALTY SERVICES
Heritage Realty Services is a New York-based boutique commercial real estate ownership and development firm specializing in long:-term strategic asset management services, including: property management, leasing, development, finance, construction, as well as the acquisition of well-priced and well-located properties. With more than 25 years of commercial real estate experience, including 20 years at Helmsley-Spear, Constantin has grown the privately held Heritage to include more than $400 millien in assets, with properties in New York City and Westchester, and affiliated properties in Washington, D.C.