By Tom Bergeron
In a move that has been expected since last November, Mars Wrigley Confectionery has signed a lease to become a major tenant at Ironside Newark, ROI-NJ has learned.
Michael Sommer, executive vice president for development for Edison Properties, which owns the building, confirmed the agreement.
“I can confirm that we have signed Mars Wrigley Confectionery at Ironside Newark,” Sommer said. “Edison Properties is obviously thrilled and we look forward to welcoming them in 2020.”
Officials for Mars Wrigley Confectionery were not immediately available for comment, but the company did announce the move to the staff at its Hackettstown location last winter.
The planned move was first reported by ROI-NJ on Nov. 10 last year.
Mars Wrigley Confectionery received a 10-year, $31 million Grow New Jersey grant a few days later.
Ironside Newark will anchor the Mulberry Commons project — a $10 million, 22-acre park that will connect the Prudential Center to Penn Station. The building will sit right off McCarter Highway.
The project will transform the long-vacant warehouse formerly known as the Newark Warehouse Co. Building. It will have more than 450,000 square feet of office and retail space available.
JLL is handling the office leasing while Pierson Commercial will handle the retail leasing. Jeff Babikian of CBRE represented Mars Wrigley on the transaction.
No other tenants have been announced, though it has been widely reported that Edison Properties will move its corporate offices there.
Newark officials were thrilled with Mars Wrigley Confectionery announced its plans to move to the staff last winter.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, a former mayor of the city, told ROI-NJ that it is another step forward for the town to regain its prominence.
“Newark has experienced record growth over the last decade, and I am thrilled to see Mars take this step that will help further accelerate the continued resurgence of our great city,” Booker said. “Newark’s highly-educated workforce, robust transportation network, and central location will no doubt help the Mars U.S. Market Headquarters thrive.
“This decision means hundreds of local jobs returning to Newark, a boost to our regional economy and small businesses, and the opportunity to continue the biggest economic boom in Newark since the 1960s.”
