Teamwork Seals TJX HQ Deal

Deals this big shouldnt fly under the radar (especially so close to Pearson Airport). But TJXs design-build HQ arrangement, brokered by Lennards Tom McLeod (left) and DTZs Peter Schmidt, is generating Rex Awards buzz in the office lease-of-the-year category (finalists for the April 3 galashould be announced any day). At 434k SF, not including a specially designed basement, it was the GTAs biggest deal by area (rivaled only by Deloitte at Bay Adelaide East). Its also Peels biggest deal in a decade. Tom and I have complementary skills that fit perfectly in this case, says Peter, a design-build specialist. Tom took charge of the leasing details in the continuation of a partnership that began at DTZ, and endured even though Tom has been at Lennard for 10 years.

TJXs $100M-plus Canadian HQ is also huge for Orlando president Phil King. Its the second-biggest office development weve done, and itll be right next to our biggest [Ingram Micro], Phil says of the office node Orlando has created on Standish Court, near Hurontario and the 401. TJX, parent to Winners, Marshalls and HomeSense, will be consolidating office staff whove been scattered across three buildings. The new place will be LEED Silver minimum and its expandable. The company studied its needs and decided it wanted to stay in Mississauga, Phil says. The site includes lots of parking, but it will be on the Hurontario LRT. Orlando also has about 1M SF of industrial space under construction on spec.

There are two types of people in this world: People who can count. Email Mark.keast@bisnow.com