Industry News

Simeon Properties is planning to redevelop the 86-acre former Zenica site in Richmond, Calif., to build the $100 million Western Research Center, a multi-phase biotech incubator. The first $50-million, 330,000-sf phase will involve demolishing six buildings, moving two existing buildings and building two additional facilities. The second phase will encompass 180,000 sf in two more buildings. A possible third phase, dependent on an entitlement from the City of Richmond and environmental remediation, would open up the remaining 55 acres.

Suntory Water Group of Atlanta is consolidating regional call centers with a move to the planned Tanners Creek project in Flowery Branch, Ga. Suntory will be occupying 20,000 sf of the 2,000,000-sf, 150-acre mixed-use development which features fiber-optic cable technology and includes office, hotel, retail, and restaurant facilities.  

Fortress Development has selected RTKL of Baltimore to provide design, master-planning, architecture, engineering, and telecommunications services for its 425-acre Loudoun County data center and office complex. Slated to begin construction in late 2002, the $500-million project, known as CYBERPLEX@DULLES, will feature a 110,000-sf multiple-tenant data center or office building.  

Defense contractor BAE Systems is consolidating and expanding its corporate operations in Northern Virginia with a move to 134,000 sf of leased office space currently under construction at the Reston Commons. BAE Systems, based in Rockville, Md., will begin moving employees in phases beginning in June 2002.

Network Associates is building a new 170,000-sf office building on a 15-acre parcel at Legacy Corporate Park in Plano. Carr Development, an affiliate of Carr America Realty based in Washington, D.C., will develop the three-story building for the network security company. Architect for the project is Good Fulton Farrell, with interior design by Gensler & Associates. Completion of construction is expected at the end of 2002.