Larken Associates Finds Innovative Retail Space Solutions to Help Recreational Tenants Safely Reopen Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Larken Associates, a regional leader in commercial and residential real estate building, development and management, announces it has negotiated 5,675 square feet of flex/industrial leases at the Hillsborough Business Center in Hillsborough, N.J. The retail leases will enable two dance studios to move into spaces with overhead doors and larger footprints that will allow for proper social distancing and adequate air circulation during classes. In addition to these leases, Larken has also worked with another dance studio to provide temporary outdoor space to ensure they can resume their business operations.
We’re really grateful to Larken Associates who has worked with us and helped to make this space available. They know that the kids have been cooped up and need to get out and they’ve been very supportive of our efforts to get the kids out and about in a safe and healthy way.
Both located in Hillsborough, N.J., the two dance studios include Complexity Dance Center, which was formerly operating out of Larken Associates’ Amwell Mall at 450 Amwell Road in Hillsborough, N.J. and Dance Connection, which was operating out of Larken Associates’ Hillsborough Business Center. Each studio was previously occupying a space that lacked the ventilation and flexibility needed to align with social distancing recommendations put forth to counter the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing that they had flex/industrial spaces available with overhead doors and open floor plans within the Hillsborough Business Center, Larken Associates worked collaboratively with each tenant to make these spaces available so each tenant could safely resume the operation of their businesses and avoid losing any additional revenue.
“We know that these are difficult times for all of our tenants but the challenges presented to our recreational tenants are truly unique,” said Rob Marek, Executive Vice President of Raider Realty, the in-house brokerage division of Larken Associates. “Fortunately, our diverse portfolio of assets and commitment to working closely with our tenants has allowed us to quickly find space solutions for these two dance studios that will allow them to reopen in a safe manner.”
David Kieffer, CEO of Dance Connection added, “We’re really grateful to Larken Associates who has worked with us and helped to make this space available. They know that the kids have been cooped up and need to get out and they’ve been very supportive of our efforts to get the kids out and about in a safe and healthy way.”
In addition to securing temporary flex/industrial leases on behalf of Complexity Dance Center and Dance Connection, Larken Associates also worked with Gotta Dance, a tenant in their Branchburg Commons complex, to provide them with the use of the property’s outdoor spaces for private lessons, evening classes, and dance camp.
“Even in the best of times, we understand the importance of supporting our tenants whenever possible,” stated Victor Kelly, Executive Vice President of Raider Realty, the in-house brokerage division of Larken Associates. “As our nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that we are in a position to support the small businesses throughout our portfolio that need flexible space arrangements to successfully resume operating their businesses. Whether it is moving them into a new space or finding creative outdoor space solutions, we are committed to assisting our tenants in any way we can during these challenging times.”
About Larken Associates
Larken Associates is a regional leader in commercial and residential real estate building, development and management. Leveraging over 50 years of experience, they are dedicated to bringing great living and working spaces to life through a long-term ownership strategy and full suite of in-house capabilities. With a diverse commercial portfolio consisting of nearly three million square feet and 800 tenants across office, industrial, retail and mixed-use and approximately 2,000 owned and/or managed residential units across 22 unique communities, Larken Associates’ is deeply committed to the communities in which they work as well as the tenants and residents who call their buildings home. To learn more about Larken Associates, please visit us at https://www.larkenassociates.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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