Posted by Heidi Schwartz
State and local officials joined executives from Panasonic Corporation of North America, SJP Properties and Matrix Development Group to celebrate the grand opening of Panasonic’s new headquarters at Two Riverfront Plaza, a state-of-the-art, 340,000-square-foot Class A office tower that is the first new office building for Newark’s downtown area in more than 20 years.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie officiated at the ceremony, which included remarks by Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.; Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America; Steven J. Pozycki, CEO of SJP Properties; and Joseph S. Taylor, CEO of Matrix Development Group.
“I thank Panasonic for their decision to expand and create jobs in the Garden State and congratulate them at the grand opening of their new, state-of-the-art U.S. headquarters right here in Newark,” said Gov. Christie
The ceremony capped a transformative deal that brought a leading-edge global electronics firm to New Jersey’s largest city. Panasonic, which signed a landmark 15-year lease to move from Secaucus to Two Riverfront Plaza, recently completed its relocation to its new headquarters, occupying 10 floors of the 12-story building, developed by a joint venture partnership of SJP Properties and Matrix Development Group.
The building was designed by leading architecture firm Gensler to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for new construction, as well as LEED Platinum Certification for Interiors, in order to meet Panasonic’s sustainability goal to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 percent.
“As we move into this new building that offers increased accessibility to mass transit options and other hubs of business and innovation, we are beginning an exciting chapter at Panasonic,” said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and CEO, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “The development team has delivered a world-class headquarters for our employees that is a true model for environmental responsibility, and is strongly aligned with our company’s long-standing history of leadership in green business practices, both with regard to our corporate operations and the technology solutions we offer our customers. In addition to the sustainability features throughout the new building, we were able to incorporate our brand heritage, creating a unique and dynamic work environment for our employees.”
Numerous high-performance features that promote energy efficiency and a modern work environment were incorporated into Two Riverfront Plaza, including advanced building systems to improve indoor air quality, and floor-to-ceiling windows that maximize natural light and embrace the building’s river views to the east. Additionally, the building’s location just one block from Newark Penn Station will foster increased use of mass transit commuting options among Panasonic’s employees.
Two Riverfront Plaza features a two-story glass lobby; Panasonic’s new Innovation Center, showcasing various technology solutions; a full-service cafeteria; access to a parking garage below the building, as well as a new waterfront parking lot adjacent to the building; and 24/7 manned security. The third and fourth floors of the building are available for lease in their entirety and consist of approximately 29,000 square feet each.
“Two Riverfront Plaza is a great example of our organization’s track record in the development of high-performance urban office properties that further the economic development initiatives of the cities in which they are located, and improve the ability of our tenants to retain and attract top talent,” said Steven J. Pozycki, CEO of SJP Properties. “More and more forward-thinking companies like Panasonic are choosing to position themselves for long-term success by occupying modern, green buildings in transit hubs that elevate the quality of work life for their employees, reduce their energy consumption and facilitate more efficient use of space. We are very proud to be able to provide Panasonic with a headquarters that reflects the company’s commitment to innovation in all aspects of its business.”
Added Joseph S. Taylor, CEO of Matrix Development: “As an investor in Newark for 12 years, Matrix has long believed in the potential of this city to be a destination for top-tier global businesses. From the unparalleled access Newark affords to one of the nation’s largest transportation networks, to the highly skilled workforce produced by the city’s higher-education institutions, the Brick City offers numerous advantages that will provide Panasonic and its employees with a first-rate work environment now and into the future.”
