Sunglasses manufacturer Shady Rays' move to the Louisville suburb of Simpsonville is expected to serve as the anchor for a new business park.
The space was named the lease of the year for Louisville in CoStar's 2023 Impact Awards, which were judged by a panel of commercial real estate professionals with expertise in the market.
In April, Shady Rays pre-leased a 75,000 square-foot space at Simpsonville Commons at 1 Buck Creek Road, a 105,000-square-foot building that was completed in August. The company is slated to complete its relocation from its current facility at the Kingbrook Commerce Park this coming November.
About the project: Shady Rays, which makes "premium polarized sunglasses" will be the largest tenant at the new 105,000-square-foot facility.
What the judges said: Judges praised both the location and the space.
"This was a new lease in an expanding industrial market that does not have all of the activity that Jefferson County has," said Craig Collins, senior director for Cushman & Wakefield - Commercial Kentucky. "Good commitment to a growing market."
"The building looks great, and I love the local brand," said Jenny Johnston, executive vice president of PRG Commercial Property Advisors.
They made it happen: John Hollenbach, managing partner and Ben Taylor, project manager for Hollenbach Oakley, along with John Hollenbach, Jr. and Clayton Pitcock, both sales and leasing advisors for Horizon Commercial Realty.
