JLL Helps Firm Complete 25,000-SF HQ Relocation/Expansion In South Florida

JLL announced that the firm has completed a 25,000-square-foot lease expansion and relocation on behalf of DNA Labs International, the fastest growing private forensic DNA lab in the country.

The company’s new corporate headquarters will take up the entirety of Building 3 at Hillsboro Center located at 700 W Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach.

JLL Executive Vice President Ryan Nunes represented DNA Labs International in the office expansion. Joe Freitas and John Criddle of Cushman & Wakefield represented Grover Corlew, ownership entity of Hillsboro Center, in the lease negotiations. With this transaction, Building 3 of the office complex is now 100 percent occupied by DNA Labs International.

“Through a methodical process JLL partnered with DNA Labs International to identify a solution to support its unique facility requirements,” said Nunes. “Following this expansion, DNA Labs International will complete a brand-new headquarters build out to support the continued growth and innovation of the company for years to come.”

DNA Labs International was founded in 2004 in Deerfield Beach and is a family-run business, specializing in forensic DNA analysis for law enforcement agencies, government forensic labs and attorneys involved in the criminal law practice. The company is accredited by ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the country’s longest established provider of ISO accreditation to Forensic Sciences testing laboratories in the U.S.

“In our continued efforts to produce the best possible results in a time-sensitive industry, our adoption of the newest technologies available means we that we need to expand our footprint,” noted Kirsten Charlson, Founder and President of DNA Labs International. “JLL understood our needs perfectly and Grover-Corlew realized the value of helping us localize in their facility as we both continue to invest and grow in the Deerfield Beach business community.”

According to JLL’s latest Life Sciences Emerging Markets Index report, the South Florida region saw a 2.4% acceleration in employment growth in life sciences employment, calculated from the average growth between 2010-2015 and 2015-2020. The report outlines the correlation between employment acceleration and increased activity in the Life Sciences sector in South Florida.

“We are thrilled to welcome DNA Labs International to Hillsboro Center. They are an ideal tenant as we continue to renovate and reposition the property to meet increasing office market demand from corporations looking for quality office space in the South Florida region,” said Partner Mark Corlew. “Senior management at DNA Labs International and JLL have been incredibly professional to work with, which resulted in a seamless transaction.”  

Hillsboro Center spans more than 216,000 square feet and offers immediate access to and visibility from I-95. The building features an on-site cafe with an oasis seating area and numerous restaurant options, major banks, hotels, and other amenities in the surrounding area.