MADISON—The Hampshire Companies held a groundbreaking event for its LEED-certified office building located at 175 Park Avenue in Madison. Realogy Corporation, which is the parent company of real estate franchise brands including Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA, and Sotheby's International Realty, will relocate from Parsippany to occupy the entire soon-to-be 270,000-sq.-ft. building as its new headquarters in late 2012. Governor Chris Christie, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, Mayor Robert Conley, Madison officials, and Hampshire and Realogy executives were in attendance.
Upon completion, the property will be LEED Silver-certified and designed to be sensitive to the surrounding natural environment. The 270,000-sq.-ft., class-A office building will feature a full range of amenities, including a fitness center, full-service cafe, and conference/team room facilities. 175 Park Avenue will have green roof technology and state-of-the-art energy efficient mechanical systems.
Richard A. Smith, president and CEO of Realogy Corporation, applauded both Gov. Christie and Lt. Gov. Guadagno for their efforts in keeping 1,300 jobs in New Jersey. “As a global company with locations in over 100 countries, we were in a position to locate our headquarters anywhere,” said Smith. “We were strongly considering relocating to North Carolina, but the state administration’s dedication to business development allowed us the great opportunity to stay and grow our business right here in New Jersey in a new, state-of-the art headquarters.”