JLL Income Property Trust buys two life sciences properties in Durham, North Carolina

JLL Income Property Trust buys two life sciences properties in Durham, North Carolina
5 & 47 National Way, two life sciences properties located in Durham, North Carolina. Image: Courtesy of JLL Income Property Trust

JLL Income Property Trust has acquired 5 & 47 National Way, two life sciences properties located in Durham, North Carolina, for $67 million.

The properties total approximately 375,000 square feet and are each 100 percent leased to life science tenants.

“Healthcare-focused properties, including life sciences, continue to be an area of focus for us as we look to capture the property type’s nearly unparalleled leasing demand and long-term value,” said Allan Swaringen, President and CEO of JLL Income Property Trust.

“Limited new supply, exceptionally strong occupancy along with significant barriers to entry due to higher construction and tenant improvement costs made 5 & 47 National Way attractive investments. The tenants have also shown their commitment by investing, approximately, a combined $180 million in property upgrades to create world-class laboratory facilities. We’re pleased to add these properties to our growing healthcare-oriented portfolio,” he added.

Both properties were newly constructed in 2020 and include above-standard improvements by both tenants including lab, clean and cold rooms, specialized sanitation stations, and specialized water and power upgrades.

The properties are located adjacent to Research Triangle Park, the largest dedicated scientific research park in the U.S. and one of the primary economic drivers in the Raleigh-Durham area.

LaSalle Research & Strategy ranks Raleigh as an “overweight” market for life science properties given projected annual rent growth of 4.7 percent through 2024, said the company in a statement. ”Vacancy in the nearby Interstate-40/Research Triangle Park submarket is just 2.3 percent and limited new supply has contributed to accelerated rent growth. The weighted average lease term on the two properties is more than 14 years.”

This acquisition increases JLL Income Property Trust’s healthcare allocation to eight properties totaling more than 910,000 square feet, valued at nearly $350 million and representing approximately 7 percent of its overall portfolio.

JLL Income Property Trust earlier this year purchased 170 Park Avenue, a premier life sciences property in Florham Park, New Jersey and recently acquired 9101 Stony Point Drive, one of Virginia’s top medical office properties.