The Eleventh New Jersey · Congressional District 11 Morris · Essex · Passaic
The Eleventh

Madison

Madison office hits full occupancy as students head to college and Elks host Oktoberfest

A Madison office building reached 100 percent occupancy while local students enrolled in universities and a community Oktoberfest is scheduled for October.


Bergman Real Estate Group announced on September 8 that the 7 Giralda Farms office building in Madison has achieved 100 percent occupancy. The property is a Class A office building with a total size of 238,000 square feet located in the borough.

The company has been repositioning the asset since acquiring the property in 2021. This milestone follows two recent pharmaceutical transactions that helped fill the space.

One of these transactions involved a long-term renewal by LEO Pharma for approximately 33,000 square feet of office space. The full occupancy status signals a strong demand for commercial real estate in this specific Madison location.

Local Students Head To College

Eleven students from Morris County have enrolled at James Madison University as members of the incoming freshman class. While the list includes residents from Boonton, Dover, and Morris Plains, it highlights the academic achievements of families in the district.

In a separate development regarding higher education, eight Morris County students graduated from the University of Rhode Island during commencement ceremonies held May 15 through 17. Anthony Forbes of Madison was among the graduates who received their degrees at the event.

Melanie Furman of Morris Plains also graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science. These students represent the local families investing in education beyond the high school level.

Community Events And Leadership

The Elks Army of Hope is sponsoring an Oktoberfest celebration at the Madison Elks Lodge on Saturday, October 10. The event is expected to run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature live music by the Widow Brown Band.

Attendees can expect Oktoberfest-themed food and a beer truck during the six-hour window of the celebration. Madison Elks Lodge 1465 is located at 192 Main Street in the borough.

In the nonprofit sector, Elaine Rocha has taken on the role of CEO for the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club. She brings a background as an attorney and senior executive in the financial services industry to her new leadership position.

Rocha was not necessarily looking for a career in the nonprofit sector after her successful time in law and finance. She recognized the opportunity to lead the club when it emerged, fulfilling a long-held aspiration to become a CEO.

Housing And Commuting Considerations

Residents considering moves to North Jersey are evaluating towns like Madison for their walkable downtowns and strong sense of community. One couple in their late 50s is looking for a town that is not primarily a young family environment.

The couple works in lower Manhattan and Caldwell, New Jersey, and requires access to New Jersey Transit for commuting to New York City. They have set a budget of up to one million dollars for either town houses or single-family homes.

Madison remains on the shortlist alongside Morristown, Ramsey, Westwood, and Hillsdale for this specific demographic seeking to downsize after living in Rockland County, New York, for 35 years. The search highlights the ongoing interest in Madison's infrastructure and location.

Regional News Context

While Madison sees positive developments in real estate and community events, nearby areas face serious legal challenges involving law enforcement. A Morris County patrol officer was charged with assault and stalking according to court documents.

The officer reportedly attacked a woman he was romantically interested in, raising concerns about conduct within local police forces. This incident occurred in the broader region covering East Hanover and Florham Park.

Other serious crimes were reported in neighboring counties, including a sexual assault of a six-year-old girl after an abduction in Warren County. Additionally, a Barnegat man killed his wife before stabbing himself in an incident that left authorities with a tragic scene.

These regional events provide a backdrop to the local news cycle for residents of the 11th Congressional District. The contrast between community celebrations and criminal charges underscores the varied nature of local reporting.

Questions residents are asking

What is the current occupancy status of the office building at 7 Giralda Farms?

The building reached 100 percent occupancy as announced on September 8 by Bergman Real Estate Group. This follows a long-term renewal by LEO Pharma for about 33,000 square feet and other transactions since the firm acquired the property in 2021.

When is the Oktoberfest event at the Madison Elks Lodge?

The celebration is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, running from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature the Widow Brown Band, themed food, and a beer truck at the lodge located at 192 Main Street.

Which Madison resident graduated from the University of Rhode Island?

Anthony Forbes of Madison was among the eight Morris County students who graduated during the ceremonies held May 15 through 17. Other graduates from the district included Melanie Furman of Morris Plains.

More Madison coverage