Arkema to KOP

[eldondre]

Philadelphia-based chemicals and materials maker Arkema Inc. is leaving its offices at 2000 Market Street and putting them up for rent. The 130,000 square foot space, with room for 400 employees, is being offered, at just $19 a square foot (plus electric), for sublease in 2011-15, by James Mullarkey and Les Haggett of the Newmark Knight Frank - Smith Mack agency. Mullarkey confirmed he's representing Arkema's space but wouldn't comment further.

What will happen to Arkema's people? I haven't heard back yet from the company. A real estate source not connected to the company tells me Arkema is moving at least some of its staff out to King of Prussia, where Arkema has a research and development lab.

Arkema follows Sunoco and the Dow Chemical Co. unit based on the former Rohm & Haas among the Philadelphia manufacturers that have been cutting back their headquarters offices here. Arkema Inc. is the U.S. arm of France's Arkema chemical group. With 24 North American plants and around 14,000 workers, Arkema Inc. is the successor to the old Pennsylvania Salt Co. and other businesses that were owned by France-based Elf Aquitaine and Atofina in recent years.

Read more: Arkema to leave its Center City headquarters | PhillyDeals | 06/24/2010
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[cubanChris]

Another reason for me to continue hating KoP.

Edit to note: I worked there for a time, hated the commute & the mall.

[Insoluble]

Ugh, that's depressing. It looks like another chemical company in town may be expanding to absorb some of the lost jobs at least:

FMC's new chief looks to expansion | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/07/2010

[Debbie1125]

Another reason for me to continue hating KoP.

Edit to note: I worked there for a time, hated the commute & the mall.

I worked out there for a few years too. The job was great but I HATED the commute.

Arkema was originally named Pennwalt and occupied the building of the same name near the Parkway. It was Atofina too.

[eldondre]

they need to put a second deck on 76

[OB2SP]

they need to put a second deck on 76

Wasn't that actually discussed about 8 or so years ago?

[Debbie1125]

I hope this doesn't affect Coventry Deli. It's right next to 2000 Market Street and is one of the best places to get a sandwich in the area.

I would imagine they get alot of business from those 400 employees who work at Arkema.

[phillyaggie]

FMC has those insecticides/herbicides, but I don't think that's their main profit center. They also have a big inorganic chemicals business (soda ash, lithium, etc.) that over the past few years has had a huge up cycle until last year's bust. No wonder the company has a good balance sheet.

Good to see at least they are staying put. Arkema might have many employees living out in the western 'burbs so for them the commute might actually be better? They would lose the young folks who like the city life...knew a gal who works there, did part-time law degree at Temple, and lives in town...don't think she would feel like moving with the job, she kinda hated the place as it is.