Coming soon to Route 9 in Cape May Court House is Cornerstone Plaza, developed, constructed, owned and leased by the Morelli Organization. Cornerstone Plaza will be a brand new complex housing 15 retail stores, eateries and professional spaces. The high-end plaza will have beautiful curb appeal, enhancing the corner greatly and giving many businesses the exposure and opportunity they need.
Bert Morelli of the Morelli Organization purchased the property at 709 Rt. 9 S., Cape May Court House 15 years ago, however at the time Bert was focused on developing mid-rise apartments and condominiums, and investing in commercial properties. The economy dropped shortly after the purchase of the land, so his plan for a striking retail plaza was put on hold. Now that the economy is much stronger, Bert feels that it is the right time to proceed with his vision. “I feel that there’s a need for it, especially in this area,” he says.
Bert’s journey in developing and investing in properties began in the ‘70s. Originally from upstate New York, Bert came to Cape May County to visit a friend and saw a ton of opportunity here. There was a lot of work to be done, but it was a booming time and he was confident in what he could do for the area. He decided to take advantage of the opportunities he saw and make the move to the Jersey Shore. Bert worked for several contractors in masonry before starting his own company here in 1978. Over the years, he owned and managed several companies, including Morelli Masonry Inc. and Morelli Construction. In 1988, Bert and two other contractors purchased 30+ acres of land off of Indian Trail Road in Cape May Court House, where the Morelli Organization is now located. He envisioned the creation of Middle Township Business Park, but instead surprised his partners in 1998 by negotiating a deal with Home Depot.
Today, the Morelli Organization is a diversified company comprised of multiple entities. The Morelli Organization develops, owns and leases commercial properties, with the contractors, developers and builders all under the same umbrella. Their most recent project, of course, is Cornerstone Plaza. Bert shares that he is on the site of every project seven days a week. “Every day’s a Monday for me, which means every day’s a work day.”
The building of Cornerstone Plaza began in late March, and the complex should be ready to occupy in fall 2018. Bert expects Cornerstone Plaza to attract a variety of businesses, and explains that many businesses have already expressed interest.
If you’re interested in renting a space in Cornerstone Plaza, contact Bert Morelli at (609) 463-0137 ext. 14. The complex is pre-approved for retail and professional use.
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