Colorado Real Estate Journal - December 2, 2015
A company that distributes products to natural food retailers and grocery stores will occupy a 270,000-square-foot distribution facility in Aurora. Scannell Properties is developing the building for KeHE Distributors at 2200 N. Himalaya Road. The building will be KeHE’s first facility in Colorado. Scannell also is developing 450,000 sf for KeHE in Douglasville, Georgia. “We are excited about our new facilities. This growth strategically aligns with our long-term strategy and demonstrates our commitment to our growing customer base,” said Mike Leone, KeHE chief commercial officer. “The optimized proximity to our customers helps reduce time in our supply chain and our carbon footprint. In addition, we believe this expansion enables our vendor community with more efficient shipping. The new facilities are larger and carry a wider assortment of products,” Leone said. KeHE will use the Aurora facility to distribute products to stores in Colorado and surrounding states, according to Jill Marcotte, Scannell Properties senior director. Scannell Properties will own the LEED-certified building, which will include approximately 60,000 sf of freezer/cooler space. The property also includes land for possible future expansion. Scannell purchased the 31.73- acre site from Colline Inc., for $2.63 million, according to John Winslow of Winslow Property Consultants. Winslow was not involved in the transaction. Frederick Regnery, a principal in Colliers International’s Logistics and Transportation Solutions group, represented KeHE Distributors in the transactions. Regnery said KeHE conducted a multistate selection process to identify sites for the new facilities, which will accommodate both new and existing customers. “The fact that KeHE chose Aurora for its new distribution facility speaks to the quality development our city has become known for,” said Wendy Mitchell, president and CEO of the Aurora Economic Development Council. “Creating more than 180 jobs in our community keeps Aurora at the forefront of attracting industrial projects and continues to grow our economy.” The building is slated for completion in July. Scannell Properties, in partnership with Brookwood Capital, also is developing a 290,000-sf speculative warehouse/distribution facility at Smith Road and Scranton Street in Aurora. The Indianapolis-based company, which has a regional office in Denver, has developed several Colorado projects, including the LEED Gold-certified Citizenship and Immigration Services Denver District Office in Centennial, FedEx warehouse/distribution facility in Pueblo and others.