Renovation at Florham Park Office Campus Creates Amenity-Rich Space
Kimmerle Newman Architects Completes Lobby Renovation at KBS’ 100 Campus Drive in Florham Park, N.J. – Updated Design Creates Modern, Amenity-Rich Space at Class A Office Building
Kimmerle Newman Architects (KNA) – a component of Kimmerle Group, a multifaceted architectural and interior design company – has completed a significant renovation to the atrium lobby at 100 Campus Drive in Florham Park. The 400,000-square-foot office building is part of Park Avenue at Morris County, a six-building, 1.12-million-square-foot Class A office campus encompassing more than 136 acres.
Built in 1989,100 Campus Drive is one of northern New Jersey’s preeminent office buildings. However, the time had come to modernize and re-imagine the atrium lobby. The building’s ownership, KBS, commissioned KNA to redesign the four-story atrium lobby into a modern, dynamic social environment that will maintain the asset’s competitive edge in the marketplace for years to come. The year-long renovation incorporates new amenities and increased functionality, and makes a dramatic first impression for tenants and visitors.
The project represents the latest in a series of upgrades that KBS assigned to KNA at Park Avenue at Morris County. KNA previously completed a conference center, fitness center, and cafeteria refurbishments at this preeminent office complex, according to Paul Newman, AIA, CID, KNA’s vice-president and partner. “100 Campus Drive has always been a well-occupied and very successful office building, but as with many properties built in the 1980s, its appearance became dated. The building’s atrium lobby was beautiful and high quality but with features such as pink granite, large plantings and a recessed fountain, it had slowly but surely timed itself out,” he said.
“Our goal with this lobby renovation was to create a grand space that will become the hub of social interaction at the Park,” said Shannon Hill, senior vice-president/director of acquisitions at KBS. “Previously, the lobby was disjointed and located on multi-levels. We have removed the clutter and put everything on one level. Additionally, the white noise of the water feature has been replaced with a fully integrated sound system that plays background music similar to what one might find at a modern hotel. We want tenants to use the space during the work day and after hours.”
Amenities Designed to Increase Social Interaction
The newly renovated space is modern, inviting and light-filled, and designed for increased social interaction. Features include a newly opened “Campus Café and Bar” that serves boutique coffees, snacks and juice mixes during the day and in the evening, provides bar service for after-hours events. Other lobby features include upgraded lighting, the addition of multiple seating areas and meeting spaces, comfortable furniture groupings, and a new café seating area. In conjunction with these renovations, concierge service was added to the campus’ array of on-site amenities, said Newman.
“Among other tasks, the concierge helps tenants with event planning and catering, so there are always lots of things happening in the building on a daily basis. Part of what has been accomplished with these renovations is to create a wonderful facility for tenants to hold meetings, parties and social events. We are confident the lobby will continue to serve as one of the building’s most distinctive features and amenities for many years to come.”
Newman said renovations were completed in phases with minimal disruption to tenants and guests. “The team maintained a clean work site and performed the improvements in stages to keep the building fully operational at all times. It was very important that people not feel as if they were walking through a construction site,” he said. “There was a very clear plan for how this would be accomplished, using giant rendering walls and plenty of visuals so people could see what the finished product would look like. Because this is a four-story atrium, tenants were able to overlook the lobby and watch work progress. They felt as if they were part of the process and frequently commented on how exciting it was to watch the progress. It’s very unusual to have tenants engaged at that level.”
LEED, WiredScore and ENERGY STAR® certified and home to a wide range of corporate tenants, Park Avenue at Morris County offers exceptional access to Routes 24 and 10, I-287, I-80 and I-78. Campus amenities include full-service cafeterias; an app-oriented food delivery service known as The Lunch Box; The Park Avenue Club for private dining/banquets; covered parking; private transportation to NJ Transit train service in Madison; a high-end fitness center, complete with a massage therapist, fitness trainers and physical therapist; modern conference facilities; on-site management; car wash and dry cleaning services; and a new basketball/volleyball court.
Comprised of six components – Kimmerle Newman Architects, Urban Studio, Real Estate Services, Workspace, Project Management and Branding – each with complementary specialties – Kimmerle Group has established a reputation for its design and development work in the areas of corporate architecture and interiors, education, healthcare, urban design and planning, industrial and retail, private and multifamily housing and historic preservation. Kimmerle Group is active throughout New Jersey, New York, and nationally across the United States. The firm is headquartered in Harding Township, N.J. with offices in New York City.
About KBS
KBS Capital Advisors is KBS REIT II’s external advisor and an affiliate of KBS Realty Advisors, a private equity real estate company and SEC-registered investment adviser founded by Peter Bren and Charles J. Schreiber in 1992. Since its inception, KBS- affiliated companies have completed transactional activity in excess of $30 billion via 14 separate accounts, six commingled funds, five sovereign wealth funds and six non-traded REITs. For information, visit www.kbs.com.
About Kimmerle Group
Kimmerle Group is a multifaceted architectural and interior design company offering a wide range of real estate planning and development services. Comprised of six affiliated groups – each with complementary specialties – Kimmerle Group has established a reputation for its design and development work in the areas of corporate, commercial, office/retail, healthcare, planning and urban design, education, residential and historic preservation. The award-winning firm is active throughout New Jersey, New York, and nationally across the United States, providing solutions tailored to the strategic goals of each client.
The firm is headquartered in Harding Township, N.J. with offices in New York City.
Click here to see video of 100 Campus Lobby before renovation
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