Construction Starts on Southeast's Largest LEED Distribution Center

By Tony Wilbert, Wilbert News Strategies LLC

ATLANTA (June 22, 2009) - Last week paled in comparison to the week before on the commercial real estate news front in metro Atlanta. As a result, we'll reach back to the previous week (June 8) to pick the first Commercial Real Estate Development of the Week.

It goes to Rockefeller Group Development Corp. and King Industrial Realty for the commencement of construction on the 1.5 million-square-foot distribution center in Social Circle for General Mills. The 130 acres needed for the mammoth industrial building closed June 5, and construction started the following Monday. The $42 million building easily is the largest industrial deal completed so far this year.

Rockefeller stormed onto the local industrial scene by beating hometown powerhouse Rooker the deal. Rockefeller gleefully announced its big win with an ad in the June 17 Wall Street Journal. "Rockefeller Group Development Corporation is proud to have been selected by General Mills to develop a 1,500,000 square foot Distrbution Center in The City of Social Circle Walton County, Georgia" the ad reads.

But what makes the General Mills distribution center more interesting is that the rail-served building will be constructed to meet LEED certification standards, according to Sim Doughtie, president of King Industrial. Doughtie, in partnership with William P. Nichols and Jim Schnur of Corporate Services Consortium, represented General Mills in the transaction.

"It is my understanding that this new built-to-suit facility will be one of the largest distribution centers ever built in the United States that meets LEED certification standards for a green building," said Doughtie, pictured at left. "It is certainly the largest LEED-certified distribution center ever built in the Atlanta market and Southeast."

King Industrial's involvement in the deal didn't end with General Mills. King brokers Jason McCart and Bill Randolph represented the sellers in the sale of the 130-acre parcel on East Hightower Trail that will house the DC. The new distribution center, when up and running, will employ 112.

Comments

[Lisa P.]

I've heard of Sim Doughtie of King Industrial Realty....he is one of the best in the industry, and we are lucky to have him in Atlanta!

[Rocky Fraleigh]

I am involved in a company that just got LEED accredited. We are the only nursery (plants) company in the country that can offer a LEED point go to www.gro-eco.com to find out what makes us different.

[Bygningsentreprise]

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