25 Kent Achieves Wired Certified Platinum Designation, First Ever for a Ground-Up Development in Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s First New Office and Production Development in over 40 years, Developed by Rubenstein Partners and Heritage Equity Partners, Achieves WiredScore’s Highest Certification

WiredScore, the company behind the world’s leading rating system for technological capacity in commercial buildings, together with developers Rubenstein Partners and Heritage Equity Partners, announced today that 25 Kent, an eight-story Class A office development, has achieved Wired Certified Platinum designation in recognition of its outstanding connectivity, technological infrastructure and readiness to adopt emerging technologies.  25 Kent will be the first ground-up development in Brooklyn to be Wired Certified Platinum, and the first property in Williamsburg to be Wired Certified at any level.

WiredScore is the pioneer behind the Wired Certification standard that evaluates and distinguishes best-in-class Internet connectivity in commercial buildings.  The Wired Certification is a standard trusted by tenants internationally to verify that buildings have been independently evaluated and certified to provide the Internet infrastructure that businesses require to thrive.

25 Kent is currently pre-leasing and expected to open in summer 2018. The property’s Wired Certified Platinum designation signifies an abundance of factors contributing to best-in-class internet infrastructure.  The property scored particularly high on its maximum physical redundancy for wire-line internet service providers (ISP) at street-level Points of Entries on N 13th Street (north side) and N 12th Street (south side), diverse risers allowing for primary and back-up tenant internet service, and a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) ensuring ample cellular coverage within the building. Additionally, Xchange Telecom –a fiber, wireless and copper broadband facilities-based, full-service telecommunications and data provider—has confirmed serviceability of the location via fixed wireless internet connectivity.  Structural and mechanical engineering were overseen by DeSimone Consulting Engineers and Cosentini Associates, respectively.

“Look at DUMBO and other Brooklyn neighborhoods attempting to redevelop for commercial office space today, and you’ll find an abundance of aging building stock currently unfit to provide top-tier internet connectivity for their tenants,” said Arie Barendrecht, founder and CEO of WiredScore.  “By building 25 Kent with superior technological infrastructure at top-of-mind, Rubenstein Partners and Heritage Equity Partners have exhibited an understanding of the present and future needs of a modern, tech-dependent tenant pool.”

In pursuing the designation, the Gensler-designed 25 Kent, with a concept design by Hollwich Kushner, underwent a scrupulous certification process, which included a building audit by a team of leading technicians, evaluating the number of available internet service providers, infrastructure redundancy, connection access points, and readiness to improve connectivity.  Upon completion of the on-site assessment, a Wired Certification level is assigned to the building based on the official standards developed by WiredScore and its advisory board.

“Today’s tenants rely on high-speed, consistent internet connectivity to conduct their daily operations,” said Jeff Fronek, Director of Acquisitions of Rubenstein Partners.  “We prioritized the tech requirements of tenants in our approach to the development process for 25 Kent.  Achieving Wired Certified Platinum certification shows that we can satisfy their connectivity demands both now and down the line as needs evolve with the shifting tech landscape.”
25 Kent will feature ground-level retail, underground parking, and a rooftop green terrace in addition to outdoor terraces on each of its eight floors.  Interiors will include multiple elevators, a 24/7 attended security desk, card access control system, and lifestyle amenities such as tenant bike storage, lockers, and on-site shower facilities.  In addition to the Wired Certified Platinum designation, the property boasts LEED Gold certification.

The approximately 500,000 square-foot property is situated adjacent to a planned waterfront park in one of Brooklyn’s hottest neighborhoods, and conveniently located between the East River Ferry and New York City Subway services.  The building offers ease of access to popular local attractions including two of Williamsburg’s most frequented parks, multiple music and nightlife venues, and Brooklyn’s finest restaurants and shops.

For leasing inquiries please contact Newmark Grubb Knight Frank’s David Falk, Jason Greenstein, or Lee Brodsky.