Aston Properties Inks Lease in Charleston

By Timea Papp

Rendering of T-Mobile Customer Care Center

Aston Properties arranged a 127,000-square-foot lease with T-Mobile at a former retail building in North Charleston, S.C. The tenant will use the space as a customer care center, once Aston Properties completes the property’s conversion into an office building. The adaptive reuse project is scheduled for delivery in early 2018.

Total reconfiguration plans

Located at 8571 Rivers Ave., the 168,000-square-foot property was previously occupied by a Kmart store that closed in March. Aston Properties acquired the building in May and plans to invest in an extensive improvement program featuring a new exterior façade, renovated parking and landscaping. Further planned tenant amenities include a basketball court, an outdoor grilling area and an on-site café.

T-Mobile is relocating 800 employees during the first quarter of 2018 from an existing facility at 185 Fairchild St. in Daniel Island, S.C. The new call center is expected to ultimately hold approximately 1,200 T-Mobile employees. An additional 41,000 square feet of leasable space remains available at the property. 

Managing Director Lee Allen of JLL’s Charleston office represented Aston Properties in the lease negotiations. The new landlord selected Charleston-based Frampton Construction to spearhead the reconfiguration project. Aston Properties previously purchased and converted two former Kmart buildings in Harrisonburg, Va., and Monroe, N.C, into new retail and climate-controlled self-storage space, respectively.

“With a fresh new look, abundant surface parking and proximity to nearby retail and restaurants, this facility will enable T-Mobile to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining employees in the greater Charleston market,” said Jamie Kneisel, director of acquisitions and dispositions at Aston Properties, in prepared remarks.

Rendering courtesy of Aston Properties