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Porter and Chester Institute, a provider of technical and professional education, is moving to expanded quarters at 220 Brooks Street in Worcester, Mass., combining the school’s two current Westborough, Mass., locations. Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) represented the institute in its search and lease transaction.
The school is leasing half of the 100,000-square-foot Worcester center, which offers easy access to Interstate 190, Route 20 and Interstate 290 and is serviced by public transportation. Currently, it occupies 29,200 square feet at 129 Flanders Road and 14,000 square feet at 80 Turnpike Road in Westborough. Porter and Chester Institute plans to move administrative offices and training programs to the new center this month.
“This is an ideal move for a school that continues to grow its program and already attracts a large number of students from Worcester, which is the second-largest city in the state,” said George Nugent, executive managing director at NGKF’s Boston office, who represented the tenant with Phil Giunta, executive managing director. The pair tapped James Umphrey and David Cohen of local firm Kelleher & Sadowsky Associates to help source local space opportunities in Worcester.
“Further, the property offers Porter and Chester Institute an opportunity to customize the design details and provides the required space for a diesel truck repair classroom that would not fit in its Westborough locations,” Mr. Nugent added. “This allows the school to expand its curriculum.”
A major capital investment is being made by owner, Grove Street Properties LLC, to outfit the facility for classrooms. Grove Street Properties, which represented itself in this transaction, acquired the building in May 2014 in a deal arranged by NGKF Capital Markets.
Porter and Chester Institute has eight other campuses in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Its newest locations opened in 2009 in Canton, Mass., and in 2010 in Woburn, Mass. The institute offers career training programs in the automotive, computer, trades and healthcare fields.
About Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with London-based partner Knight Frank and independently-owned offices, NGKF’s 12,000 professionals operate from more than 330 offices in established and emerging property markets on six continents.
With roots dating back to 1929, NGKF’s strong foundation makes it one of the most trusted names in commercial real estate. NGKF’s full-service platform comprises BGC’s real estate services segment, offering commercial real estate tenants, landlords, investors and developers a wide range of services including leasing; capital markets services, including investment sales, debt placement, appraisal, and valuation services; commercial mortgage brokerage services; as well as corporate advisory services, consulting, project and development management, and property and corporate facilities management services. For further information, visit www.ngkf.com.
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