Law Firm Poised for Future Growth at Mountain Development Corp. and Square Mile Capital’s Suburban Office Campus
ROSELAND, N.J., Sept. 26, 2017 – Connell Foley LLP, one of New Jersey’s most prestigious law firms, has opened new corporate headquarters of 75,000 square feet at 56 at Roseland. The 400,000-square-foot repositioned suburban office building is owned by joint venture partners Mountain Development Corp. (MDC) and Square Mile Capital. Connell Foley’s space was designed by global architecture, design and planning firm Gensler. Connell Foley also has offices in Jersey City, Newark, Cherry Hill, New York and Philadelphia.
“56 at Roseland’s dramatic façade, infrastructure, park-like setting and full-service amenities are top notch, and we look forward to serving current and future clients from our new state-of-the-art office space,” said Philip F. McGovern Jr., Connell Foley managing partner. “The experience working with the Mountain Development team was exceptional, and we are confident this is the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”
According to Dana Nalbantian, Gensler’s Principal and Studio Director, Connell Foley sought a transformative design to reflect the future of the firm while honoring its past. “History remains important to the partners who have extensive tenure with Connell Foley as many started their careers at the firm,” she said. Gensler created an enhanced environment for Connell Foley that encourages a collaborative work culture. The contemporary space includes a conference center, attorney offices and support operations on the first floor, and a work café/event area, additional offices and administrative workspace on the second level. A striking glass and tile staircase connects the two floors.
The headquarters features approximately 150-square-foot uniform single-size partner offices with full glass office fronts for light and transparency. The workspace color palette is subdued with bright accents of green and orange throughout the café and support areas. The space has two entrances – a first-floor visitors’ lobby entrance incorporating a centralized conference center and hospitality area with refreshments; and a second-floor vibrant entrance for employees leading to a work café with glass designed center stairs connecting to the workplace.
Tom Reilly, Tom Stanton and Dan Loughlin, of Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), represented Connell Foley in the transaction. “We had a great experience working with the JLL team, as we always do,” said Michael Seeve, president of MDC.
“Mountain Development’s vision to reposition 56 at Roseland into a modern legal center has rendered an outstanding result,” said Stanton. “Connell Foley’s offices here provide the firm with a new and improved corporate image and reflect its goals for the future. On-site ownership and management is another significant benefit.”
Premier Suburban Office Setting
Connell Foley joins a high-profile co-tenancy at 56 at Roseland. National law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP recently relocated its Garden State headquarters to 170,000 square feet at the Essex County property, and Brown & Brown Insurance occupies 29,500 square feet. MDC and Square Mile worked with both law firms to personalize their workspaces, a hands-on approach that reflects the venture partners’ expertise in building operational space for the legal industry.
“We are pleased to welcome another prestigious law firm to 56 at Roseland,” said Seeve. “Connell Foley’s decision to move its headquarters here after 30 years at its previous location in Roseland is further testament to the remarkable results of this corporate environment.”
Charles Ochman, managing director for Square Mile, added: “Connell Foley is one of the region’s most respected laws firms, and we are delighted to welcome them to 56 at Roseland. The firm’s tenancy reinforces the judgment we made when we invested in the property and repositioned it as Northern New Jersey’s premier suburban office setting.”
Newmark Knight Frank (NKF), exclusive leasing agent for 56 at Roseland, is marketing approximately 51,000 square feet of divisible space still available. MDC partnered with Gensler to reposition the property that now boasts hiking trails, a volleyball court, walking paths, an outdoor fire pit, lounge area, on-site café, upscale fitness center and a green roof with lush trees and landscaping. Technical features include an optimized Level 2 Data Center possessing a network operations hub with technical support space.
Located in Essex County at the Morris County border, 56 at Roseland is accessible from I-280, I-287, I-80, the GSP, I-95, and routes 10 and 46. It is within two miles of downtown Livingston, home to numerous retailers, restaurants and service providers.