The Rockefeller Group Receives Two Development Awards for BASF Project

NEW YORK, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockefeller Group Development Corporation (RGDC), a subsidiary of Rockefeller Group International, Inc., was honored by both the New Jersey chapter of NAIOP and the United Way of Northern New Jersey for the company's BASF Build-to-Suit Development Project at The Green at Florham Park. Les Smith, Executive Vice President of RGDC, was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the New Jersey chapter of NAIOP.

"It has been a very special few weeks for our development team in New Jersey and for The Rockefeller Group as a whole," said Kevin R. Hackett, President and CEO of Rockefeller Group International, Inc. "To be recognized by NAIOP and the United Way for our BASF project is a great honor and we look forward to continuing our development success in New Jersey. I'd also like to congratulate Les Smith for his Lifetime Achievement Award. His contributions to New Jersey real estate and his 32 years of service to The Rockefeller Group are something to be proud of."

Creative Office Deal of the Year

The Rockefeller Group's leasing and construction of BASF's new LEED Platinum North American Headquarters, which will anchor the world-class 268-acre master-planned sustainable mixed-use development The Green at Florham Park, was named NAIOP New Jersey's 'Creative Office Deal of the Year.'

Clark Machemer, Vice President of RGDC, accepted the award on RGDC's behalf. "We are seeing momentum in the commercial real estate market and I would like to think that this deal was one of the first signs of that. We are proud that this building will be the largest LEED Platinum building in New Jersey and with BASF now joining the Jets at The Green at Florham Park, our vision for this sustainable project is coming together."

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Deal of the Year was given out by the New Jersey chapter of NAIOP at their 24th Annual Commercial Real Estate Awards. Also at the Gala, Les Smith, Executive Vice President of RGDC, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Smith thanked NAIOP New Jersey and also The Rockefeller Group, "The successes I have achieved in my career are a direct result of being part of an organization that not only shares my vision for New Jersey but also my personal convictions of fair business practices." In New Jersey, Mr. Smith's responsibilities include overseeing RGDC's construction of the International Trade Center in Mt. Olive, New Jersey's preeminent foreign trade zone; the 268-acre master planned development The Green at Florham Park where the Jets and BASF reside, and the 3.5-million-square-foot industrial complex at Exit 8A in Cranbury.

Real Estate Impact Award

The 325,000 square foot North American headquarters of BASF was also named the 2011 Real Estate Impact Award winner by the United Way of Northern New Jersey at its real estate legacy luncheon. The Real Estate Legacy Luncheon has raised $1.55 million in 11 years to assist nonprofit agencies in Morris County in completing 105 capital projects that helped thousands of county residents.

RGDC is a national owner, developer, and manager of prestigious commercial real estate properties. Its development capabilities include corporate headquarters, landmark properties, multi-use urban complexes, distribution facilities, suburban business parks, and foreign trade zones. RGDC, with regional offices in Arizona, California, Florida and New Jersey, is an operating company of The Rockefeller Group, developer of Rockefeller Center in New York City.

SOURCE Rockefeller Group Development Corporation