For the last two years, Keystone Redevelopment Group has been redeveloping 35 acres formerly owned and occupied by Rohm and Haas in Bristol. The Doylestown-based firm saw potential in its Bridge Business Center, a $25 million project that will make over 200,000 square feet of existing laboratory, office and manufacturing buildings, and is now being rewarded for its belief in the site and the region.
The center received $1 million in stimulus funds recently to install a highly efficient energy system, including micro-turbines, chillers and a cooling tower in a retrofitted chemical laboratory.
“It’s clean, green energy and above all that we’re able to provide economic savings for tenants in that building,” says Rob Loughery, Keystone managing member.
The $2.6 million project has created more than 50 temporary jobs and is expected to save 1.8 million KWh/year, generate 4 million KW/year and reduce local carbon dioxide emissions by 2,522 tons annually. Tenants like Bucks County Community College, AE Polysilicon, AC Pharmtech and Chemistry Research Solutions will reap the savings. Keystone has leased 30 percent of the existing 50,000 square-foot building since the beginning of the year. Plans to market the second building, a 100,000 square-foot space for labs, offices and flex space, are underway
Keystone is working on other projects geared toward life sciences in Greater Philadelphia, including opportunities similar to Bridge, to provide space for research and technology companies.
“Pennsylvania has done a very good job of positioning itself to attract and entice those types of companies involved in those industries,” says Loughery.
Source: Rob Loughery, Keystone Development Group
Writer: Joe Petrucci