Merritt Properties, a full-service commercial real estate developer with over 16 million square feet of space throughout Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, has acquired a 74-acre site for the speculative development of a 452,500-square-foot light industrial business park in Wake Forest.
Located along Ligon Mill Road, the facility will feature up to seven buildings ranging from 30,000 to 85,000 square feet. Each will offer 18 to 24-foot clear heights, traditional rear-loaded docks and drive-in capabilities, and free surface parking. Site plans are still being finalized.
This marks Merritt Properties’ second project in the market. The developer settled on Merritt TW Crossing, a future four-building light industrial park in Durham last month. That site will feature more than 282,400 square feet of light industrial space and is expected to be completed this year.
“We’re excited to expand our developable footprint to more than 734,000 square feet of land within a two-week period,” said Robb Merritt, president of Merritt Properties. “This growth underscores Merritt’s commitment to the region and desire to find strong development opportunities in the greater Research Triangle market.”
According to Keith Wallace of Merritt Properties’ North Carolina leasing team, Merritt Capital Business Park will meet the needs of small to mid-sized businesses seeking flex space for office and manufacturing or warehouse requirements.
Pre-leasing is underway and delivery is expected in the second quarter of 2021. Construction will be managed by Merritt Construction Services, the construction division of Merritt Companies.
“We’re thrilled for the new investment and job creation this development will produce for our rapidly growing community,” said Jason Cannon, president of the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership.
Merritt Properties has selected Cushman & Wakefield as the leasing partner for Merritt Capital Business Park. The team will be led by Larry Lakins, Hunter Willard and Andrew Young.
“We are honored to have been selected by Merritt Properties to help oversee the leasing for this significant project,” Lakins said. “The Triangle continues to remain a strong industrial market and attractive destination for businesses looking for corporate expansions and relocations.”
With a project portfolio of more than 16 million square feet, Merritt has been providing site development, general construction, redevelopment and interior build-outs for over 50 years. Whether serving as a general contractor, construction manager or design-builder, Merritt Construction Services offers full-service construction capabilities through all phases of development, from feasibility to commissioning.