The redevelopment of Camden’s Walter Rand Transportation Center is set to transform South Jersey’s skyline with the addition of the region’s tallest office tower. Gilbane and NJ Transit announced plans on Monday to construct the Beacon Building, a 25-story, 500,000-square-foot office building that will be a centerpiece of the ambitious transit hub revamp.
Beacon Building will be located between Federal Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. When New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s administration helped secure more than $250 million from the state three years ago, the project aimed to modernize the city’s transportation infrastructure to spur growth.
Features and Design of Beacon Building
The new office tower, Beacon Building will have five floors of 27,000 square feet each and 20 floors of 18,000 square feet each, providing a mix of high-quality office spaces that can attract tenants. It is designed to stand independently on its own foundation, separate from the transit center structure.
Cooper University Health Care will be among the first to call South Jersey’s new landmark home, though they’ll only occupy a portion of the soaring tower. The project team isn’t wasting any time filling the remaining space, with their sights set on potential tenants like the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts. As Dan Keashen from the Camden County Improvement Authority puts it in more straightforward terms, it’s all about getting the timing just right – making sure new tenants can move in as soon as construction wraps up, rather than having an empty building waiting for occupants.
The upcoming Beacon Building is a great landmark in Walter Rand Transportation Center Redevelopment. The planned $3 billion expansion of Cooper University Health Care’s nearby campus, which is set to break ground on January 28, is its synergy with the new building.
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A Regional Standout
The Beacon Building is also likely to become a standout project not only in Camden but in the Philadelphia region as well. It will overtop Parkway Corp.’s 18 story, 438,000 square foot office tower in Center City, which is fully leased to insurance giant Chubb. Despite rising office vacancy rates, modern, trophy class buildings like the Beacon Building do command demand.
In addition to the office tower, the redevelopment of the Walter Rand Transportation Center includes a state-of-the-art parking facility and a landscaped public square to enhance the area still further. The project is a camel for Camden’s strong desire to promote economic development and improve connectivity.
As South Jersey’s tallest office tower, the upcoming Beacon Building is a symbol of a new era for Camden; an innovative take on architectural and urban planning to define the future of the city.
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South Jersey’s Tallest Office Tower: Project Factsheet
Location: Camden, New Jersey (between Federal Street and MLK Jr. Boulevard)
Project Overview:
25-story, 500,000 sq ft office tower (tallest in South Jersey)
Modernized transit hub integration
Total state investment: $250+ million
Developer/Partner: Gilbane & NJ Transit
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Walter Rand Transportation Center Redevelopment Beacon Building: Key Features:
Office Tower Specifications
5 floors @ 27,000 sq ft each
20 floors @ 18,000 sq ft each
Independent foundation from transit center
Transportation Hub Integration
24 bus lines
PATCO Speedline subway connection
River Line light rail access
Intercity bus services
Enhanced parking facilities
Amenities:
Retail spaces
Administrative offices
Landscaped public square
Expanded parking facility
Confirmed Anchor Tenant:
Cooper University Health Care (partial occupancy)
Timeline Status:
Announced: January 2025
Construction start: TBD
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