Gotham Greens plans 100,000-square-foot greenhouse at Tradepoint Atlantic

Agtech startup Gotham Greens plans to open a 100,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse in the northern section of Tradepoint Atlantic, the 3,100-acre multi-modal global logistics hub in the Sparrows Point section of Baltimore County.

Gotham Green’s operation at the site is expected to create 60 jobs when it opens next year. The facility will provide fresh produce year-round to retail, restaurant and food service businesses in the area. This is the firm’s third such location, with the others located in New York and Chicago.

“Today marks a true milestone in the continuing revitalization of Sparrows Point. A community synonymous with the production of steel will now be home to a leading agriculture tech firm, producing locally grown premium produce while bringing green jobs to the community,” Eric Gilbert, chief development officer of Tradepoint Atlantic, said in a statement.

Major tenants at Tradepoint Atlantic already include Fed Ex, Under Armour and Amazon. Tradepoint Atlantic, the name of the project and developer, a joint venture of Redwood Capital Investments and Hilco Real Estate Co., purchased the Sparrows Point property in September 2014. It had been the site of steelmaking dating back to the 19th century.

The project has been hailed as a major investment in a site that, when home to Bethlehem Steel’s operations in the middle of last century, was at the heart of Baltimore’s economic identity. As steelmaking at the site slowed and eventually halted all together, redeveloping the site became a top priority for Baltimore County.

The Tradepoint Atlantic overhaul is one of the largest multi-modal projects in the world. At full build-out, which is projected to take about 20 years, the development is expected to produce a $2.9 billion impact on the regional economy and support 17,000 direct and indirect jobs.

“Gotham Greens represents a new generation of jobs at Sparrows Point,” Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said in a statement. “Gotham Greens’ decision to locate at Tradepoint Atlantic is another step toward bringing 17,000 quality jobs to eastern Baltimore County and the region.”

Newmark Knight Frank represented Gotham Greens in the deal and JLL represented the developer.