Redevelopment of former Harrisburg Mall underway with expected delivery of Phase I in early 2027

HARRISBURG, PA – St. John Properties, Inc. has named Bryan Cyphers as Regional Partner for its new Pennsylvania Regional Office, coinciding with the vertical construction on Phase I of Swatara Exchange, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Nearly two years ago, St. John Properties revealed plans to demolish portions of Harrisburg Mall and reposition it with a project featuring a mix of multi-use flex/R&D product, single-story commercial office space, and complementary inline and retail pad sites. Swatara Exchange is configured to support 12 new buildings, up to 1,000 jobs, and contribute approximately $1 million in additional tax revenue annually. Upon completion, Swatara Exchange will feature more than 550,000 square feet of commercial space.  

Phase I of Swatara Exchange will begin this spring with the construction of two single-story multi-use, flex/R&D buildings featuring over 100,000 square feet at 55 and 57 Enterprise Drive. The redevelopment also includes an 18,000 square foot inline retail building at 53 Enterprise Drive which has been 100 percent leased by 2^nd & Charles; a 9,465 square foot retail building with drive-thru at 51 Enterprise Drive; a 10,725 retail building with drive-thru at 3411 Paxton Street; and two pad sites for a convenience store and restaurant. In total, Phase I accounts for approximately 150,000 square feet of space. Several components from the former Harrisburg Mall will remain including Bass Pro Shops, Applebee’s Grill + Bar, 2^nd & Charles, and the 56,349 square foot former Toys R Us building at 460 Mall Road, which is currently being marketed for sale or lease.

“The reimagined Swatara Exchange responds to growing demand for flexible space serving a wide range of users including professional services companies, light manufacturing groups, and warehouse/logistics,” explained Cyphers. “Our signature flex/R&D product will introduce a new standard to the South Central Pennsylvania commercial market. St. John Properties’ Class ‘A’ buildings with elevated landscaping, abundant natural light, and meticulous maintenance through our in-house, full-service property management team, will create an environment unlike anything currently available in the region.”

Cyphers adds that Swatara Exchange combines nearly every asset class in the St. John Properties portfolio to create a mixed-use and self-reliant ecosystem. “As the former site of a major regional mall, Swatara Exchange benefits from a strategic location near major population centers and highway systems, which will become even more attractive with the completion of Interstate 83 improvements and the addition of multiple direct access points,” added Cyphers. “This is among the reasons why we are targeting delivery and logistics sector for portions of our flex product.” 

First wave of flex/R&D buildings expected to deliver in early 2027

St. John Properties’ flex/R&D buildings feature 18-foot clear heights and rear drive-in and raised loading docks to support a diverse set of end-users. Both buildings have been designed to achieve LEED Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The company is developing Phase I on a speculative basis, a move in keeping with St. John Properties’ mission to provide space “ahead of the demand curve” and provide prospective tenants with immediate move-in options.  

Marketing and leasing activities are underway for the flex/R&D, inline retail, and pad sites. St. John Properties is targeting a broad tenant mix for the retail spaces, including sit-down, fast-casual, and quick-service restaurants, as well as banking, convenience stores/gas stations, medical and healthcare, and daycare users. The two retail buildings are also expected to be completed early next year.

New Pennsylvania Regional Office poised to pursue emerging opportunities

Over the past three years, St. John Properties has opened new regional offices in Charlotte, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; and Tampa, Florida. The 55-year-old Baltimore-based company, with a national portfolio valued at more than $5.5 billion, has developed more than 25 million square feet of commercial space across various asset classes and has a corporate goal of expanding to 40 million square feet of space in the coming years. In addition to growing organically in the company’s existing markets, St. John Properties is venturing into new regions around the country that align with its growth objectives.

“Since acquiring Harrisburg Mall in 2012, we have built a strong foundation and meaningful relationships in Swatara Township that have been instrumental to the success of this redevelopment,” said Sean Doordan, Senior Executive Vice President of Acquisitions & Growth for St. John Properties. “With Bryan’s leadership and market knowledge, we are well positioned to build on that momentum and expand our development portfolio throughout Pennsylvania.”

Cyphers recently advanced through St. John Properties’ immersive Partner in Training Program, which prepares participants to open and manage all operations of a new regional office. The program provides education and experience in six commercial real estate disciplines: legal and acquisitions, development, construction, leasing, tenant improvements, and property management.

In addition to overseeing all development, marketing, and leasing activities associated with Swatara Exchange, Cyphers will lead day-to-day operations of the Pennsylvania Regional Office, with a focus on acquiring new opportunities to expand the company’s portfolio.

“We intend to explore acquisition and development opportunities located on both sides of the Susquehanna River with a specific emphasis on South Central Pennsylvania,” Cyphers said. “We are highly optimistic about the long-term success of commercial real estate in the region and look forward to establishing meaningful business relationships to help advance our mission. St. John Properties maintains a long-term ownership philosophy and is committed to the communities and clients we serve.”

Cyphers earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Management from the Loyola University Maryland Sellinger School of Business and Management. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business.

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’ 55-year history, the company has developed more than 25 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 2,700 clients in Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Utah, and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit www.sjpi.com.