News Article | 8/1/2008

Jacksonville Makes Way for Dr Pepper Snapple

By first quarter 2009, Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. will have consolidated its operations in the southeastern region. The refreshment beverage giant signed a 601,500-square-foot lease with developer Hillwood to occupy the forthcoming West Point Trade Center in Jacksonville, FL, due for delivery by the end of the year. The 601,500-square-foot distribution center at 2300 Pickettville Road began construction in March. The facility will feature 135 loading docks and 32-foot clearance height. Dr Pepper Snapple recognized the distribution center’s Westside location as a key factor in the decision. In addition to being near Dr. Pepper Snapple’s Jacksonville manufacturing plant, West Point is also in close proximity to the CSX Intermodal rail facility, the I-295/10 interchange, the Norfolk Intermodal Facility and JAXPORT. The company expects to employ about 40 people at the new facility. T. Preston Herold represented Hillwood in-house, along with Terry Quarterman and Jeff Nelson of CB Richard Ellis. Jim Brice and David S. Parker of Holt Lunsford Commercial and Seth Kelly of CBRE represented Dr Pepper Snapple. “The timing was fortunate for both parties,” said Herold. “For Dr Pepper Snapple, catching us in the early stages of the building design, allowed us to design in specific improvements to maximize the logistical efficiency of the facility for them.” Herold also noted that with a tenant secured for West Point, Hillwood can begin preparations for its next Jacksonville project, to be announced soon.