Past Press

Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers Designs North American Headquarters for Japan Tobacco International

LIVINGSTON, N.J. (JANUARY 13, 2009) -- Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers has designed a new U. S. headquarters for Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in Teaneck, N. J. The company is part of Tokyo-based Japan Tobacco Inc.

JT International U.S.A. relocated to a 12,000-square-foot facility at Glenpointe Center West. The company was previously located at 910 Sylvan Ave. in Englewood Cliffs, N. J.

Japan Tobacco is the world's third largest tobacco firm and markets Camel, Salem and Winston brands outside the United States. The company has a global market share of 11 percent. JT International U.S.A. markets the Mild Seven, Export ‘A’ and Wave brands in the United States. Japan Tobacco also operates in the food, pharmaceutical, agribusiness, engineering and real estate industries.

Jarmel Kizel, based in Livingston, N. J., specializes in one-stop shopping for architecture, engineering and design services. Jarmel Kizel provided the design, furniture procurement and construction management services for the approximately $1 million corporate fit-out, working with the landlord and construction company, Alfred Sanzari Enterprises, to complete the project on a five-week schedule.

Two days after moving into the new location, the company held a grand opening, at which visiting corporate executives commented that it looked as if the company had been occupying the space for months, said Tom Hofmann, associate principal at Jarmel Kizel and director of interiors, who oversaw the project. JT International U.S.A.’s approximately 50 employees moved into their new headquarters last month.

“We are very pleased to have the capability to assist JT International U.S.A. with all of their needs, from working with the real estate team to assisting with the move, and will be there for them as they continue to grow,” Hofmann said. “We have the experience to manage the process and helped JT International U. S. A. navigate through the selection of Tel/data vendors; AV equipment suppliers; and installation, security, and other minor vendors that make a project successful and complete.”

JT International U.S.A.’s previous offices, which they had occupied for 10 years, consisted of a rabbit warren of cubicles from ad-hoc growth that did not function well and did not meet the needs of the growing company, Hofmann said. The new facility features five executive offices, 15 offices and 32 work stations. Also included are a conference room and a café-style pantry with a 55-inch flat-screen television.

The open area, which features high ceilings with pendant up-lighting and lower-than-usual height work stations, creates a sense of openness that fosters interaction and cooperation, Hofmann said. The finishes are sophisticated and elegant, reflecting the company’s dynamic role in the tobacco industry, with a palette consisting of subtle tobacco-inspired earth tones with “pops” of bright color, said Janet Carney, Jarmel Kizel’s interior designer.

Greg Barkan, a broker with CB Richard Ellis, represented JT International U.S.A. and handled the transaction.

Glenpointe is recognized as one of the premier office complexes in the region. The park features three interconnected office buildings totaling 650,000 square feet: Glenpointe Centre West, Glenpointe Centre East and the Atrium at Glenpointe; the Spa at Glenpointe; the 350-room Marriott at Glenpointe Hotel and Conference Center; and The Courts of Glenpointe, a 164-unit residential community.

About Jarmel Kizel Architects & Engineers, Inc.
Headquartered in Livingston, N.J., Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers, Inc. is a full-service integrated architecture, engineering, interior design and energy consulting firm serving a distinguished client base of commercial and residential real estate companies, and a myriad of corporations throughout the Northeast.  The company employs registered architects, interior designers, professional engineers, LEED-AP professionals and technical support personnel that provide clients with a single source for all of their facility needs from architectural design, interior design, structural, MEP and civil engineering, to energy solutions and product procurement management services.  For more information, contact the company’s Livingston headquarters at 973.994.9669 or visit www.jarmelkizel.com.