Larken Associates has negotiated 5,675 square feet of flex/industrial leases at the Hillsborough Business Center.
The leases will enable two dance studios to move into spaces with overhead doors and larger footprints that will allow for proper social distancing and adequate air circulation during classes, according to information provided by the real estate company. In addition to these leases, Larken has also worked with another dance studio to provide temporary outdoor space to ensure they can resume their business operations.
Both located in Hillsborough, the two dance studios include Complexity Dance Center, which was formerly operating out of Larken Associates’ Amwell Mall at 450 Amwell Road in Hillsborough; and Dance Connection, which was operating out of Larken Associates’ Hillsborough Business Center.
Each studio was previously occupying a space that lacked the ventilation and flexibility needed to align with social distancing recommendations put forth to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the statement. Recognizing that they had spaces available with overhead doors and open floor plans within the Hillsborough Business Center, Larken Associates worked collaboratively with each tenant to make these spaces available so each tenant could safely resume the operation of their businesses and avoid losing any additional revenue.
“We know that these are difficult times for all of our tenants but the challenges presented to our recreational tenants are truly unique,” Rob Marek, executive vice president of Raider Realty, the in-house brokerage division of Larken Associates, said in the statement. “Fortunately, our diverse portfolio of assets and commitment to working closely with our tenants has allowed us to quickly find space solutions for these two dance studios that will allow them to reopen in a safe manner.”
David Kieffer, CEO of Dance Connection, said in the statement, “We’re really grateful to Larken Associates who has worked with us and helped to make this space available. They know that the kids have been cooped up and need to get out and they’ve been very supportive of our efforts to get the kids out and about in a safe and healthy way.”
In addition to securing temporary leases on behalf of Complexity Dance Center and Dance Connection, Larken Associates also worked with Gotta Dance, a tenant in their Branchburg Commons complex, to provide them with the use of the property’s outdoor spaces for private lessons, evening classes and dance camp, according to the statement.
“Even in the best of times, we understand the importance of supporting our tenants whenever possible,” Victor Kelly, executive vice president of Raider Realty, said in the statement. “As our nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that we are in a position to support the small businesses throughout our portfolio that need flexible space arrangements to successfully resume operating their businesses. Whether it is moving them into a new space or finding creative outdoor space solutions, we are committed to assisting our tenants in any way we can during these challenging times.”