Commonwealth Manor
A flex campus transformed into mission-critical laboratory space through Elmhurst’s specialized development expertise.
Commonwealth Manor is a two-building, 106,200 square foot flex development situated within the highly sought-after Thorn Hill Industrial Park in Warrendale. Acquired by Elmhurst in 2019, the property offers exceptional connectivity to I-79, the PA Turnpike, and Route 19, as well as convenient access to Cranberry’s robust restaurant, retail, and hotel amenities. Originally designed as traditional flex space, the campus now serves as the home of major institutional tenants including the Allegheny County Health Department and Microbac Laboratories—organizations whose technical and operational requirements demand precision-built environments.
Impact in Numbers
At-a-glance metrics for this property, including total square feet, year completed, and Elmhurst’s ownership period.
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A Regional Collaboration Supporting Public Health and Scientific Advancement
Commonwealth Manor has become a cornerstone location for institutions that serve the broader Pittsburgh community. The Allegheny County Health Department selected Elmhurst to deliver its new state-of-the-art public health laboratory—a highly specialized, $30+ million facility built to address infectious disease testing, environmental health monitoring, and emergency response needs for the region. Elmhurst’s ability to orchestrate complex construction, manage tight timelines, and convert a flex building into an advanced technical laboratory set it apart during the selection process.
This work represents a deep civic partnership, supporting a public agency that touches hundreds of thousands of residents annually. Alongside Microbac Laboratories—another nationally respected scientific organization—Commonwealth Manor now serves as a hub for research, testing, and community health infrastructure. The project reflects Elmhurst’s belief that long-term real estate value emerges when buildings strengthen the institutions that strengthen Pittsburgh.
Specialized Repositioning That Unlocked Durable, Institutional Demand
Commonwealth Manor illustrates how disciplined acquisition strategy combined with technical development capability can transform a standard flex asset into a long-term institutional anchor. Upon purchase, Elmhurst identified that the property’s structure, location, and site configuration could support a far more specialized use than its original industrial program. This insight opened the door to repositioning the campus for high-value tenants whose operational requirements create sticky, durable occupancy.
Executing a complete conversion from traditional flex space to an advanced public health laboratory required engineering precision, specialized systems integration, and continuous coordination with public-sector and scientific partners. These capabilities allowed Elmhurst to secure long-term tenancy while elevating the property’s performance and mission-aligned purpose. For investors, Commonwealth Manor represents a resilient, multi-tenant campus with institutional credit, technical buildouts that deepen tenant commitment, and sustained demand within one of Pittsburgh’s strongest suburban submarkets.
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