Baltimore-based, vertically-integrated commercial real estate firm commences speculative development activities on two buildings comprising more than 70,000 square feet of flex/R&D space

BALTIMORE, MD – St. John Properties, Inc., a Baltimore-based full-service commercial real estate development and management company that has developed over 24 million square feet across 11 states, has acquired its first property in Wicomico County, Maryland: Westwood Commerce Park, a 16-acre site in Salisbury. The vertically-integrated group with a portfolio valued at more $5 billion recently initiated speculative development activities on two buildings, comprising more than 70,000 square feet of flex/R&D space at the business community positioned at the signalized intersection of Ocean Gateway (US Route 50) and Naylor Mill Road in Salisbury. Upon final completion, Westwood Commerce Park is configured to support three buildings totaling approximately 107,000 square feet of flex/R&D space, as well as a three-acre pad site suitable for a gas station or convenience store. More than 400 people are expected to be employed at the business community.

“Our team has been surveying the Wicomico County market for some time and believe this site represents the perfect opportunity to introduce our signature flex/R&D product to the Wicomico County business community,” stated Andrew Roud, St. John Properties’ Regional Partner of Southern Maryland. “Strong fundamentals in the region highlighted by a population exceeding 400,000 residents, a 200,000-person labor market, a diverse and robust economy, and a flex/R&D vacancy rate near four percent, provides us with tremendous confidence in this area. Our buildings are designed to support the real estate needs of a broad array of users, from professional service and high-tech companies with majority office needs, to light manufacturing and distribution centers requiring an open space layout.”

Roud adds that St. John Properties considers Westwood Commerce Park as “the launching point for future development activities in Wicomico County,” and that the company “is aggressively searching for additional opportunities throughout the region.”  He further stated, “St. John Properties is interested in quickly scaling operations to improve efficiencies in the greater Wicomico area.”

Westwood Commerce Park is situated three miles from downtown Salisbury, four miles from Salisbury University, 10 miles from Salisbury Regional Airport, and approximately 25 miles from Berlin, Maryland and Millsboro, Delaware. More than 74,000 people reside within a five-mile radius of the site, including nearly 30,000 households with an average household income approaching $85,000. Nearly 22,000 vehicles pass the site each day via US Route 50 at the Salisbury Bypass.

St. John Properties intends to develop all three flex/R&D buildings on a speculative basis, with the first two expected to be delivered by Q4 2025. Flex/R&D buildings consist of a “part office/part industrial” single-story building separated into bays which can be fully customized to meet end-users’ needs and are equipped with 18-foot clear ceiling heights, drive-in and dock loading capabilities and a free surface parking lot. Suite sizes range from 2,500 to approximately 35,000 square feet of space. Timing for the construction of the third flex/R&D building will be based on leasing pace. St. John Properties is also marketing the pad site to end-users. 

According to Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development (SWED), the region “serves as a hub for agriculture, commerce, industry, healthcare, education and transportation,” with “the new and diverse businesses fostering a well-balanced economic base.” TidalHealth is one of the region’s largest employers and has grown into a medical system ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation. Educational institutions Salisbury University, Wor-Wic Community College and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore provide “a steady stream of talent for area employers.” SWED indicates that, “Wicomico County is home to nearly one hundred manufacturers, and the local distribution industry is served by two major highways with a regional airport and port.”  

“Wicomico County is considered an attractive place for businesses based on a lower overall cost structure, the availability of qualified labor, and the high quality of life with proximity to resort areas,” stated Roud. “Many industries thrive on the Eastern Shore including healthcare, agriculture, and farming. Westwood Commerce Parkwill provide the flexible spaces companies need to enter or expand within the market. We are eager to establish new relationships in the area, expand our brand and make a positive impact on the regional business community.”

St. John Properties is differentiated among its peers for its philosophy of developing real estate space almost exclusively on a speculative basis. This enables the company to respond instantly to the emerging requirements of new and existing clients. The company has speculatively broken ground on nearly one million square feet of space nationwide during each of the last five consecutive years.

The company is also a leader in sustainable building innovation, with a mission to further refine processes that improve indoor air quality while boosting employee wellness and productivity. St. John Properties considers the conservation of energy and natural resources, along with the ongoing need to develop and innovate environmentally friendly buildings, to be an advantage in attracting new tenants. The U.S. Green Building Council has ranked St. John Properties among the top five developers of LEED certified buildings nationwide. 

“This groundbreaking represents more than just a new commercial space – it symbolizes the beginning of a bright future for our local economy,” Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano stated at the event. “Westwood Commerce Park will be a major economic driver, creating new jobs, fostering innovation, and attracting businesses to our county. We are thrilled to welcome St. John Properties to Wicomico County, and look forward to the incredible opportunities this development will bring to our region.” 

“To inspire businesses – who are also employers – to make Salisbury their home, we need to encourage developments that help showcase what Salisbury and Wicomico have to offer,” Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor told attendees at the groundbreaking. “Whether these two new structures become the home of growing companies, successful startups with the next great idea, cutting-edge research and development facilities, warehouse space or distribution hubs, what they will do is help Salisbury grow and continue to thrive as the unofficial capital of the Eastern Shore.” 

Founded in 1971, St. John Properties, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms. The company is distinguished by its commitment to customer service, achievements in green building, and top-rated workplace culture. Throughout St. John Properties’ 53-year history, the company has developed more than 24 million square feet of flex/R&D, office, retail and warehouse space and has investments in over 3,000 residential units. The company proudly serves more than 2,600 clients in Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Utah and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit www.sjpi.com.