Liberty Exchange Business Community Signs First Tenant

An empty office building where Freedom Golf Center used to stand completes the first phase of a ten building mix-use business community called Liberty Exchange.

St. John’s Properties announced this week that the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland will become the first tenant in the complex that includes a 16,000 square foot retail project, a 25,000 square foot office building and a 61,000 square foot research and development/flex space project on 40 acres of land near the intersection of routes 32 and 26.

Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland has signed a lease for 12,240 square feet of space in the Liberty Exchange office building. The eleven-physician practice-- featuring orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors and physical therapists-- has offices in Baltimore and Columbia and plans to open their first Carroll County location this summer.

“With more than 100,000 square feet of speculative office and retail space now under roof, we are making significant progress in our pre-leasing activities, as highlighted by the physician group lease signing,” said Jerry Wit, Senior Vice President, Marketing for St. John Properties, Inc.

The office and research and development/flex space components of Liberty Exchange have been designed to satisfy requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.

The features include high-efficiency heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, high performance windows, sustainable lavatory fixtures, a white thermoplastic polyolefin roofing system, significant open space and wetland/forest preserves, drought-tolerant landscaping, and the use of low volatile organic compounds paints, carpets and adhesives.

“Our strategy entailed the development and delivery of three distinct product types that address the needs of a wide range of end-users in various industries and sectors. We have generated activity for and interest in each building, and will be making announcements on additional leasing successes in the near future. Plans are underway for the development of the second phase of Liberty Exchange, as well,” said Wit.

The park’s retail components feature frontage and roadside visibility from Liberty Road. The research and development component of Liberty Exchange features 16 foot ceiling heights, dock or drive-in rear loading capabilities and free surface parking.