Northland facilitates expansion of data firm to Maine

Improvement of region’s Internet capabilities results

(Portland, ME) Northland Enterprises, a commercial real estate development company based in Portland, Maine, has sold a unique building at 340 Cumberland Avenue to Deep Edge, a growing data center firm operating facilities in Nevada and North Carolina.

A truly unique building in Portland, Maine, originally constructed in 1924 at 340 Cumberland Avenue.

Built in 1924, 340 Cumberland is an eight-story, 52,272 square foot data center building located on the primary fiber optic lines serving Portland and Northern New England. Featuring fireproof concrete construction, it was originally designed for secure and fireproof record storage. It has since been converted to telecommunications use, a purpose ideally suited to the structure’ high ceilings and floor loading, a large freight elevator, and available generator space. Several carriers already on-site contribute to its status as the primary interconnection hub of Portland. Northland has owned and managed the building since (2007), and current data tenants include Verizon, GWI, First Light and Spectrum, all of whom are expected to continue operations in the building.

Northland’s CEO Josh Benthien said his company has always envisioned a future for 340 Cumberland that Deep Edge can now achieve.

“This is a perfect synthesis of opportunity and capability,” Benthien said. “We had always planned this sort of outcome, but Northland is a commercial real estate development company. These folks are much more suited to the task; they have the cutting edge technical expertise and the relationships with major telecom and internet providers that we don’t have. The building at 340 Cumberland Avenue will give Deep Edge the space, power and access to global networks that they need to build a co-location facility that will provide interconnectivity among the tenants in the building, and to broader worldwide networks.”

Deep Edge plans to improve the region’s Internet performance. To date, Internet users in Maine and northern New England have relied on content to be provided from Boston, New York, or Virginia, often resulting in poor performance and high costs of delivery. Optimizing the capabilities at 340 Cumberland will allow Deep Edge to bring more content, data, and cloud services closer to users and provide options to decrease network costs, and to improve latency and resilience.

“We see significant opportunity to build on the area’s existing Internet ecosystem by attracting new and existing market participants to bolster the Internet capabilities of the building and the region. We’re very excited to be coming to Maine,” said Martin Hannigan, Deep Edge founder and CEO.

About Northland Enterprises

Northland Enterprises, based in Portland, Maine, has been developing and managing commercial real estate since 2001, in Maine communities and others throughout the northeast Unites States. The company has hands-on industry experience, exceptional analytical tools, and solid access to capital, with a track record of completing projects that require creativity, determination, and inventiveness. For more information: www.NorthlandUS.com.

ABOUT DEEP EDGE

Deep Edge builds powerful interconnection facilities that enable companies to enjoy dynamic technology capabilities. It is located in Charlotte, NC, Reno, NV and Portland, ME. With a focused and strategic approach, Deep Edge designs neutral facilities that optimize digital capabilities, overcome the challenges of outdated technologies and support rapidly evolving demands. For more information: www.deepedgetech.com

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Boston internet company expands northward with deal for Portland data center

By Mainebiz Staff, February 16, 2022

A Boston internet company has made its first foray into Maine with the acquisition of a data center building at 340 Cumberland Ave. in Portland. (direct link to original Mainebiz article)

Deep Edge Realty bought the property from Northland Enterprises, a commercial real estate developer and manager in Portland. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Deep Edge is a growing internet infrastructure company with operations in Nevada and North Carolina, according to a news release.

A Boston internet infrastructure company made its first foray into Maine with the acquisition of a data center building at 340 Cumberland Ave. in Portland.

The company expects the Portland presence to help bring more content, data and cloud services closer to users, while providing options to decrease network costs and improve resiliency.

“We see an opportunity to build on the area’s existing infrastructure by attracting new and current market participants to bolster the region’s capabilities,” Martin Hannigan, Deep Edge founder and CEO, said in the release.

Northland had owned and managed the building since 2017 and will partner with Deep Edge to provide property management services.

“This is a perfect synthesis of opportunity and capability,” Northland’s CEO, Josh Benthien, said of the sale. “340 Cumberland already has several carriers on-site that contribute to its status as the premier interconnection hub of Maine.” 

The eight-story, 52,272-square-foot Class B building dates back to 1924, according to Northland.

Located in downtown Portland, its space is today used as a high-security data center — sometimes called a “carrier hotel.” Associated systems include high bandwidth redundant fiber feeds, redundant conduit runs, carrier interconnect capabilities, an on-site diesel generator for common areas, and space for tenants to install their own generator serving their space. 

Consisting of fireproof concrete construction, the building was originally designed for secure record storage but has since been converted to telecommunications use. 

The building offers a secure loading area with a garage bay and an access control system allowing for 24/7 access for tenants. 

Tenants include Verizon, GWI, First Light and Spectrum.

Medical office building with stable tenants a winning combination for buyer

By Laurie Schreiber, Senior Writer at MaineBiz

The buyer of a medical office building in the Stroudwater area of Portland was attracted to the prospect of Maine Medical Partners Dermatology as a long-term tenant and also views medical space as a stable asset. (Direct link to Mainebiz article)

COURTESY/NAI THE DUNHAM GROUP
A medical office building in the Stroudwater area of Portland sold for $4.23 million.

Northland Enterprises of Portland bought 1601 Congress St. from OGH Realty LLP for $4.23 million. Sam LeGeyt and TC Haffenreffer from NAI The Dunham Group brokered the sale, which closed March 3. The property, on outer Congress Street, comprises a 29,000-square-foot office building on 12.1 acres.

Maine Medical Partners Dermatology will start renovations to the first floor and plans to occupy the 10,000-square-foot space by early summer, according to a news release. The new tenant-landlord partnership is what made the purchase of the building viable for Northland, which wanted a long-term tenant for the first-floor.

The remainder of the building is occupied by Saco Bay Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, Southern Maine Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. David R. Kerr DDS, and Adult & Pediatric Orthodontics. A 1,133-square foot medical office suite will be available for lease later in 2021.

Immediate inquiries

The seller, OGH Realty Associates, is a local group of doctors who were all partners of Maine Orthopedic Center, LeGeyt told Mainebiz via email. “This group of doctors built this building in 1992 for their own use,” LeGeyt continued. “They added onto the building in the early 2000s for more space for themselves and other tenants.” The 10,000-square-foot space was occupied by Maine Orthopedic Center until recently.

Maine Ortho, as it’s known, merged with Spectrum Healthcare Partners in the last few years and, in late 2020, moved to Spectrum’s existing offices on Sewall Street in Portland, LeGeyt explained. The property went on the market in 2020, both for sale and for the lease of the 10,000-square-foot space. The property received immediate interest. The lease space received mostly local interest and sale inquiries came from investors across the country. “It’s a very well located property for medical tenants with great proximity to the highway and local hospitals,” LeGeyt continued. “It also abuts and includes a portion of the Portland Trail network to the Fore River Sanctuary.”

Hidden gem

The purchase represents continued growth for Northland, a commercial real estate developer and property owner headed by CEO and partner Josh Benthien and founder Rex Bell. Its commercial portfolio of build-to-suit projects, renovations and historic restorations includes medical facilities, manufacturing facilities and warehouses, retail locations, restaurants, universities and professional offices. Benthien said 1601 Congress was appealing due to the high quality of the tenants and the stability that the medical office asset class offers. In-person medical services are at least partially insulated from the more drastic office closures that other industries have experienced, he added.

“That section of the outer Congress Street corridor is ideally suited for medical services, because it is very convenient to many neighborhoods in Portland, South Portland, Scarborough and Westbrook,” Benthien said in the release. “We are still dealing with COVID, but it is important for people to have the option of being able to see their doctor or dentist in person: I am grateful that my two children have continued to be able to see Dr. Wignall at Southern Maine Pediatric Dentistry throughout the pandemic.”

Benthien told Mainebiz he was familiar with the building through his children’s appointments.  “It’s kind of a hidden gem behind the trees,” he said. “Even though I’d been in it, I didn’t have a clear understanding of the value of the building.” Haffenreffer brought it to him as a potential opportunity. “The strength of the tenants was really attractive,” Benthien said. Maine Medical Partners’ interest in the 10,000-square-foot suite increased his interest, he added. The deal was financed through Bangor Savings Bank.

Benthien said he viewed medical space as being a relatively stable asset with a customer base of high-quality tenants.  “Despite telemedicine, we all need to go to the dentist and to the doctor,” he said. The building is in excellent condition, he said. Incremental improvements to the building are likely on the horizon. That could include adding signage to improve visibility from the road. “It’s about beautifying, making it a little easier to find,” he said. The grounds in the back of the building are overgrown and could use some attention, he added.

Haffenreffer, who represented Northland, said Northland’s previous experience in the Stroudwater neighborhood was a plus. “A couple of years ago, Northland did a beautiful job developing a build-to-suit solution for Clark Insurance and Diversified Partners on the site of the Elks Club, just across the street from the airport entrance,” he said. “I am confident that they will bring the same energy and vision to continue to improve the experience of tenants and visitors at 1601 Congress St.”

Northland emerges as leader in “build-to-suit” solutions

Gorham manufacturing facility built in less than 11 months

(Gorham, Maine) Last summer, the Town of Gorham issued a Certificate of Occupancy to Harvey Performance Company for its new 79,000 square foot manufacturing facility at 49 Raceway Drive. A manufacturer of tools and machines that help support machinists, engineers, and CNC programmers, Harvey’s new building is now home to almost 90 well-paying jobs for highly-skilled workers. The location serves as the company’s innovation hub.

SMMA Architects of Cambridge, MA designed the new building. Northland Enterprises of Portland was the developer on the project, which is a build-to-suit partnership with Harvey. Northland actually bought the land from Moody’s Co-Worker Owned, Inc., and owns the building that Harvey now occupies. But as a leading build-to-suit developer in northern New England, Northland designed the building to Harvey’s exact specifications.

One of Maine’s leading commercial contractors, Landry/French Construction, which also specializes in build-to-suit facilities, began construction in the Summer of 2019 and finished the building in less than eleven months.

“Landry/French did a phenomenal job, given the extra challenges presented by the pandemic,” said Josh Benthien, CEO and partner at Northland. “The build-to-suit model is an innovation that more and more companies are finding to be an attractive option, and I’m pleased that we’re making a name for ourselves in this highly specialized niche. I think you’ll see many more companies begin to explore this alternative. It’s a cost-effective way to grow and modernize that allows companies to conserve their economic resources for business expansion, rather than investing in the bricks and mortar of their facilities.”

Notably, Northland incorporated into the design and permit process a 39,000 square foot expansion that has been pre-approved for future development. Northland has completed build-to-suit developments for Clark Insurance, Goodwill Industries, The Maine College of Art, The Via Agency, Diversified Investments and several medical facilities.

Featured in this week's episode of The Boulos Beat is Northland's CEO & Partner, Josh Benthien

In this week’s episode of The Boulos Beat, Jessica Estes, Parter & Designated Broker at The Boulos Co. , interviewed Northland’s CEO & Partner, Josh Benthien. Their discussion included some of Northland’s signature projects, Josh’s business philosophy and his views on how the pandemic will impact real estate going forward.

BAYSIDE UPDATE: Century Plaza welcomes local tenant

(Portland, Maine) Earlier this year Northland Enterprises, LLC, a commercial real estate development company based in Portland, helped Coastal Pharmacy & Wellness complete its move to Century Plaza at 29 Marginal Way, at the opposite end of a building that also hosts a Chipotle restaurant.

The pharmacy has detailed its reason for the move, which was also an expansion, on its web site.

“We are very happy to have a locally-owned business in that space, and the three partners were great to collaborate with,” said Josh Benthien, a partner at Northland Enterprises. “This is more local flavor added to this revitalized neighborhood, which is what the neighbors have been telling us they want.”

Coastal Pharmacy and Wellness is joined at Century Plaza by Chipotle, Orange Theory Fitness and a T-Mobile retail store. Northland has been redeveloping the former Century Tire property for several years, after the local landmark closed in February 2014 after almost 90 years in business on Marginal Way.

Benthien said two more spaces are available for lease at Century Plaza.

Northland Enterprises has been managing and re-developing commercial real estate since 2001, in Maine communities and several others in the northeast Unites States. It is based in Portland, Maine.

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Northland Enterprises continues effort to bolster neighborhood

Leavitt & Sons Deli is helping to build a neighborhood feel in the Bayside section of Portland.

(Portland, Maine) Leavitt & Sons Deli (www.LeavittAndSons.com) recently opened in Portland’s burgeoning Bayside neighborhood, at 200 Kennebec Street, across the street from Century Plaza.

Kennebec Street is the second location for Leavitt & Sons. In 2017 Northland Enterprises, LLC, a commercial real estate development company based in Portland, redeveloped the building and reached a lease agreement with owner Peter Leavitt, whose first location is just off U.S. Route 1 in Falmouth, at 37 Depot Road. Josh Benthien, a partner at Northland, said the addition of Leavitt & Sons advances Northland’s effort to help the neighborhood and the city revitalize Bayside.

“The deli is really doing well, and I’m glad to see it,” Benthien said. “The entire Bayside neighborhood is really coming along, and this is one more locally-owned enterprise. As we looked for the right tenant, we felt that was an important factor for the character of the area. Leavitt’s definitely adds some local charm.”

The deli joins other businesses that Northland has attracted to the neighborhood, including Chipotle, Orange Theory Fitness, and a T-Mobile retail store. Benthien said he has also recruited Coastal Pharmacy to the neighborhood, another locally-owned business that he expects to be open in late January or early February.

Northland Enterprises has been managing and re-developing commercial real estate since 2001, in Maine communities and several others in the northeast Unites States. It is based in Portland, Maine.

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Northland Enterprises Bayside development continues to grow

PORTLAND — Coastal Pharmacy and Wellness is the latest business to locate in Northland Enterprises' Bayside property that was once Century Tire. (Direct link to Mainebiz article.)

The compounding pharmacy, owned and operated by Joe Lorello, Cassi Brooks and Stephen Drapeau, has moved from 84 Marginal Way down the street to Century Plaza, at 29 Marginal Way. The group bought Apothecary By Design's retail pharmacy in 2016, establishing an independent pharmacy and wellness center.

Other businesses that have located at Century Plaza since Northland acquired and redeveloped the property in 2015, are Chipotle Mexican Grill, T-Mobile and Orangetheory Fitness.

Coastal Pharmacy has leased a 2,900-square-foot space on the site, which also is accessed from Kennebec Street.

There are two remaining leasable spaces in the complex — 1,375 square feet between Coastal and T-Mobile, and 1,900 square feet in the second building, off Kennebec Street next to Orange Theory Fitness, according to Josh Benthien, a partner with Northland.

Along with the Century Tire site, Northland acquired 1 Marginal Way, 200 Kennebec St. and 202 Kennebec St. for redevelopment.

The first of those to be developed is the 1,700 square feet at 200 Kennebec St. Leavitt & Sons Deli, of Falmouth, opened its second location there at the end of last year.

The brick building, across Kennebec Street from Century Plaza, had most recently been used as a Century Tire warehouse. A lease agreement with deli owner Peter Leavitt, whose first location is at 37 Depot Road in Falmouth, on the corner of U.S. Route 1, in early 2017.

"The deli is really doing well, and I'm glad to see it," Benthien said. He said the addition of Leavitt & Sons advances Northland's effort to help the neighborhood and the city revitalize Bayside.

"The entire Bayside neighborhood is really coming along, and this is one more locally owned enterprise" he said. "As we looked for the right tenant, we felt that was an important factor for the character of the area. Leavitt's definitely adds some local charm."

He said that 2,000 square feet above Enterprise Rent-A-Car at adjacent 1 Marginal Way is also available.

He said that of the 12 leasable spaces Northland has, the two at Century Plaza and the second-floor space at 1 Marginal Way are the only ones unoccupied.

The Northland developments are part of a larger investment effort into the West Bayside neighborhood in the past few years.

Please thank firefighters in your town, TODAY

As many of you know, there was a fire in Sanford on Friday that caught the attention of the entire New England region. In fact, “fire” is probably the wrong word. “Conflagration” is far more apt.

As is being reported today, the blaze was the work of three arsonists. If you watch this drone footage of the blaze, you can see for yourself how mammoth the challenge of fighting this fire was. Just a few years ago, Northland re-developed the Sanford Mill. The project won a Phoenix Award for mill rehab, and today it is a beehive of activity in that City’s downtown. It is on Washington Street, just a stone’s throw from the mill fire that took place on River Street.

This fire very easily could have spread. But the professional career firefighters of the Sanford Fire Department made sure that it did not. They kept it in check, and thankfully nobody was injured. We would like to recognize the courage of every member of the Department, and express our heartfelt appreciation for all that you do on behalf of Sanford residents. Many properties and lives were at risk. This could have been much, much worse but it was not — and Northland would like to express its gratitude. We are quite sure that we are not alone in sharing these sentiments.

Commercial real estate pushing Portland’s West Bayside forward

Mainebiz magazine reporter Laurie Schreiber recently wrote a very thorough article about commercial real estate development that is helping to transorm Portland’s West Bayside neighborhood. “A growing number of retail and residential offerings are attracting visitors and prospective residents to the area between Congress Street and Marginal Way,” according to Schreiber.

The article reviews some of many new economic development projects that have been transforming that part of town, including Century Plaza, which Northland has been developing for several years now.

The solid forward momentum is likely continue, as the City of Portland moves forward with its plans to sell seven public works parcel. This property includes land and buildings and totals four acres. The city is in the process of putting these assets on the market, which could lead to further revitalization in the next several years, between Portland, Parris, Alder and Kennebec streets. The city says its goal is to stimulate private sector investment for 24/7 mixed-use development such as small retail or residential.

For the full Mainebiz article, CLICK HERE.

More commercial real estate development has also led to more residential units, like these 55 new apartments on Treble Street. The City has experienced a housing crunch for many years.

BAYSIDE UPDATE: Popular deli opening second location

Northland Enterprises continues effort to bolster neighborhood

(Portland, Maine) A busy, locally-owned eatery in Falmouth will be opening a second location in Portland’s burgeoning Bayside neighborhood, at 200 Kennebec Street, across the street from Century Plaza.

Peter Leavitt loves making great food.

Northland Enterprises, LLC, a commercial real estate development company based in Portland, announced that it has reached a lease agreement with Leavitt & Sons, a popular deli just off U.S. Route 1 in Falmouth, at 37 Depot Road. Josh Benthien, a partner at Northland, said the addition of Leavitt & Sons advances Northland’s effort to help community efforts to revitalize Bayside.

“This is a distinctive eatery, locally-owned by somebody with a great reputation, and who consistently puts out a quality product,” Benthien said. “We know our neighbors are encouraging a community feel in this area, and this will help.”

(Take a look at Levitt's menu HERE.)

Peter Leavitt owns and operates the Falmouth deli, and said he will personally direct the company’s expansion. “Leavitt’s and Bayside are a perfect match. I like the visibility there, and the positive energy that is very obvious in that area. Bayside is clearly on the upswing,” Leavitt said. Leavitt expects to open for business later in 2017. The deli will join other businesses that Northland has attracted to the neighborhood, including Chipotle and a T-Mobile retail store. Century Plaza is the former Century Tire property on Marginal Way. Century Tire closed in February 2014 after almost 90 years in business.

Northland Enterprises has been managing and re-developing commercial real estate since 2001, in Maine communities and several others in the northeast Unites States. It is based in Portland, Maine.

Leavitt & Sons Deli is opening a Portland location in 2017.

Commercial real estate update, West Bayside

A commercial real estate report to taxpayers in Portland, ME.

The West Bayside neighborhood in Portland, Maine continues to rebound. We always try to leave things better than we find them, and we also try to keep taxpayers informed in all the communities in which we do business. If you'd like a quick update, here's a video report from Josh Benthien, a partner at Northland Enterprises.

Portland firm wins national award for enviro clean-up & redevelopment

Northland Enterprises won a Phoenix Award, along with the City of Sanford, for excellence in brownfield redevelopment.

(Portland, Maine) The redevelopment of an abandoned mill building in Sanford, Maine won national recognition in September, with a Phoenix Award going to Northland Enterprises of Portland for outstanding execution in cleaning up a former brownfield site and transforming it into a significant community asset.

Standing in for Northland Enterprises in Chicago were Sanford city manager Steve Buck, city planner Jim Gulnac and Jim Nimon, executive director of the Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council. The awards ceremony was part of the National Brownfields Training Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and attracting government and business leaders throughout the nation. Northland’s work on the Sanford Mill was completed in August of 2013, and redevelopment from the beginning of the project was in close cooperation with city officials. Gulnac paid tribute to the public/private partnership with Northland.

“In the business of brownfield redevelopment, this is like winning the Oscar,” Gulnac said. “Northland’s participation far exceeded their huge financial contribution. They were patient and persistent, considering all the bureaucratic red tape, and they were ‘all in’ from the start of the project. This was a great partnership.”

The redevelopment of Sanford Mill took seven years from start to finish, according to Josh Benthien, a partner at Northland Enterprises. Located at 61 Washington Street, Sanford Mill is a mixed-use development that includes both residential units, as well as office and retail space. It’s part of the Sanford Mill Historic District, and is the nearest mill building to the center of the city’s downtown. Benthien said that of the $12 million invested in the project, nearly $11 million went to Maine-based contractors and companies. Benthien and business partner Rex Bell commented on the Sanford Mill project in a YouTube video published earlier this summer.

Northland Enterprises also contributed $10,000 earlier this year to help with infrastructure and landscaping needs at Gateway Park. The park is an approximately 1-acre parcel that allows citizens to enjoy an overlook and waterfall near Number One Pond and the Mousam River, at the corner of Riverside Avenue and Washington Street.

Public using Gateway Park, symbol of collaboration between developer & city

(Sanford, Maine) Developers Josh Benthien and Rex Bell issued a video news release yesterday, marking official completion of the Sanford Mill redevelopment project.

They also revealed that the downtown redevelopment project enabling the construction of newly-opened Gateway Park is contending for a national award, recognizing the significant environmental clean-up completed at a former industrial mill. (CLICK HERE for link to video press release from Josh Benthien and Rex Bell, partners at Northland Enterprises.)

CLICK IMAGE to view the video press release by Josh Benthien and Rex Bell.

The redevelopment of Sanford Mill took seven years from start to finish, according Benthien. Located at 61 Washington Street, Sanford Mill is a mixed use development that includes both residential units, as well as office and retail space. It’s part of the Sanford Mill Historic District, and is the nearest mill building to the center of the city’s downtown. Benthien said that of the $12 million invested in the project, nearly $11 million went to Maine-based contractors and companies.

As part of the redevelopment, Northland Enterprises also contributed $10,000 earlier this year to help with infrastructure and landscaping needs at Gateway Park, which the Sanford News recently described as “evidence of a revitalizing downtown Sanford.” The park is an approximately 1-acre parcel that allows citizens to enjoy an overlook and waterfall near Number One Pond and the Mousam River, at the corner of Riverside Avenue and Washington Street.

Bell gave high marks to Sanford’s economic development officials, calling them “innovative” and willing to explore “creative ways to make this project work.”

Northland Enterprises was founded in 2001. It is a commercial real estate development company that believes highest and best use of properties is good for communities, tenants and investors.

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