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December 20, 2022
JTEC Energy Inc. to Establish Headquarters at Lee + White
Owners Ackerman & Co. and MDH Partners complete lease with innovative energy company at mixed-use development in Atlanta’s West End.
ATLANTA, December 20, 2022 – JTEC Energy Inc., a producer of renewable energy, has selected Lee + White as the location for its new headquarters, signing an 18,755-square-foot lease with owners Ackerman & Co. and MDH Partners at the mixed-use destination in Atlanta’s West End.
“We look forward to joining the vibrant West End community,” said JTEC Energy CEO Mike McQuary. “We will create a world-class lab and an open, collaborative office space that will support JTEC’s growth. Our employees are enthusiastic about moving to the BeltLine and enjoying all the amenities of the Lee + White development.”
Customized office, lab and light production space will be created in Building 1050 for JTEC. The company, launched in 2020 by founder Lonnie Johnson, specializes in the production of the JTEC cleantech energy device that creates thermo-electrochemical energy by transforming heat directly into electricity. A late second-quarter 2023 move-in date is anticipated for JTEC, which will have approximately 30 employees when it moves in.
“Atlanta’s West End is an incubator for innovation filled with large-scale tech users and bright young talent from neighboring universities like Georgia Tech, Morehouse, Spelman and Clark Atlanta,” said Jeff Small, CEO of MDH Partners. “A natural fit for JTEC, Lee + White is sustainably built, conveniently located and offers amenities unmatched by competitors. We look forward to JTEC joining the development as they bring even more job opportunities and cutting-edge technology to the West End.”
“As we continue the transformation of Lee + White, we’re adding creative office and flex space designed to attract a range of business operations, and we’re thrilled that JTEC has chosen Lee + White for its new headquarters,” said Evan Ziegler, Senior Vice President of Investments for Ackerman & Co. “This lease is part of our vision to establish Lee + White as a hub for the West End community, offering a strategic location for high-tech and other creative businesses in addition to providing visitors an extensive mix of service providers, restaurants, breweries, retailers and unmatched access to the Atlanta Westside BeltLine.”
In bringing its headquarters to Lee + White, JTEC joins nanotechnology company Carbice, which celebrated the grand opening of its 23,367-square-foot headquarters and production facility earlier this year. Cushman & Wakefield’s Porter Henritze and Melanie Garlock completed the lease for JTEC on behalf of ownership. Cori Nuttall and Willie Candler of Lee & Associates represented JTEC.
“Having such a creative and up-and-coming business select Lee + White speaks volumes for the energy and attractiveness of this development. The accessibility of this location was important for JTEC, and Lee + White gives the company frontage on White Street and along the Atlanta BeltLine, as well as the advantage of 18-foot ceilings and a roll-up dock door,” said Porter Henritze, Senior Director for Cushman & Wakefield.
Acquired by MDH Partners and Ackerman & Co. in September 2019, the 442,562-square-foot adaptive reuse Lee + White development, a transformation of the West End’s Warehouse Row, is a popular destination for breweries, restaurants and retailers. In the current phase of the redevelopment, the investment partners are adding a 19-vendor food hall, more than 200,000 square feet of creative offices, new retail and the “Great Lawn” central gathering and event space.
At the food hall, Ackerman Retail’s Kelly Wilson recently completed leases with Costa Coffee and three new eateries – Cielito Lindo taqueria, Crème de la Crepe and Sweet Red Peach bakery. The food hall is slated to open in early 2023.
A container village has also been integrated into the project, featuring five retailers ranging from an electric bike shop to retailers offering eco-friendly products, specialty goods and gift items that will sell their products from brightly painted shipping containers.
Providing BeltLine access via four direct entrances, Lee + White is located just 0.4 miles from the West End MARTA station and is convenient to all of metro Atlanta’s major interstates, I-20, I-75, I-85 and I-285.
About JTEC Energy
Former NASA scientist and National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Lonnie Johnson invented the Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter (JTEC), a cleantech energy device that transforms heat into energy more efficiently than any device in history. Led by CEO Mike McQuary, JTEC Energy was spun off in 2020 from Johnson Research & Development to fully develop and commercialize the JTEC device. With over 45 patents, JTEC is applicable for both power generation and refrigeration. For more information about JTEC Energy, visit the company website at JTECEnergy.com.
About Lee + White
Reimagining the West End’s former “Warehouse Row,” the 442,562-square-foot Lee + White is Atlanta’s next trendsetting adaptive reuse project. Already a go-to destination for foodies and beer lovers, Lee + White’s next phase of development is bringing creative offices, a food hall, retail, and expanded BeltLine access. This transformation continues in a spirit that recognizes the West End’s rich history. The growing tenant roster at Lee + White includes ASW Exchange, Best End Brewing, Boxcar, Carbice, Cultured South, Doux South Pickles, Honeysuckle Gelato (production), Hop City, Mac Stadium, Monday Night Garage, The Overlook Boulder + Fitness, Plywood People, Westside Dental and Wild Heaven Beer. The roster at the Lee + White food hall, opening in early 2023, showcases a mix of local favorites and regional and national concepts. Eateries to date include Cielito Lindo, Costa Coffee, Crème de la Crepe, Honeysuckle Gelato, Gekko Hibachi & Sushi, Lake & Oak BBQ, Mochinut, The Original Hot Dog Factory, Pastaholics and Sweet Red Peach. For more information, visit www.leeandwhiteatl.com
About MDH Partners
MDH Partners is an Atlanta-based real estate investment company managing its discretionary funds targeting industrial real estate across the United States on behalf of its institutional investors. Founded in 2005 as the successor to a fifty-year-old local real estate development company, MDH Partners has led and/or participated in over $6 billion (90 million square feet) of acquisitions, developments, and asset management as an advisor and investor. For more information, visit www.mdhpartners.com.
About Ackerman & Co.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Ackerman & Co. is a privately held, full-service commercial real estate firm focused on providing quality investment, brokerage, management and development services in the Southeast. The company, founded in 1967, retains an expert team of 100 real estate professionals. To date, Ackerman & Co. has developed and acquired more than 37 million square feet of office, medical, industrial, retail and mixed-use space, has 4 million square feet under management and maintains an investment portfolio valued at $1 billion. For more information, visit www.ackermanco.com
About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest real estate services firms with approximately 50,000 employees in over 400 offices and approximately 60 countries. In 2021, the firm had revenue of $9.4 billion across core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, and valuation and other services. To learn more, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com or follow @CushWake on Twitter.
About Lee & Associates
Lee & Associates offers an array of real estate services tailored to meet the needs of the company’s clients, including commercial real estate brokerage, integrated services, and construction services. Established in 1979, Lee & Associates is now an international firm with offices throughout the United States and Canada. Our professionals regularly collaborate to make sure they are providing their clients with the most advanced, up-to-date market technology and information. For the latest news from Lee & Associates, visit lee-associates.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Link, our company blog.