$7.3-million Burbank center for Agfa signals first major project at former Lockheed property.

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 1995--What is reportedly the first major new development on more than 300 acres of land previously occupied by Lockheed Aircraft Co. in Burbank was signaled June 1 (Thursday) when Agfa Division of Bayer Corp. officially occupied a new $7.3-million regional distribution, sales and marketing center in Burbank, announced SMC Properties, owner developer.

John E. Moseley, a principal of Calabasas, Calif.-based SMC Properties, reported that the 116,000-square-foot facility is located on a five-acre site at 3800 Vanowen St., directly south of the new Hollywood-Burbank-Glendale Airport Metrolink Station. The property formerly served as a Lockheed employee parking lot.

The facility more than doubles Agfa's capacity in this area where it has been for more than 20 years. Agfa relocates from 914 N. Victory Blvd., Burbank.

``This project is significant for the city of Burbank and Los Angeles in general because it not only accommodates the growth of an important corporate citizen, but symbolizes positive redevelopment of an historic site that served this country's World War II effort, the 50th anniversary of which we recently commemorated,'' said Moseley.

Part of The Bayer Group, a world-renowned 130-year-old German corporate giant, Agfa is one of the top three firms of its kind in the world. Its new Burbank center will be a distribution point for all of Agfa's products including motion picture film, graphic, medical and technical, and photographic imaging systems, according to Sharon Williams, regional distribution manager.

The facility also features a mini-lab developing and demonstration area, Williams said. The site has the capacity for a doubling of its 10,500-square-foot office area.

SMC Properties, a partnership of Moseley, Michael J. Crino and John B. Simon, is a 15-year-old company specializing in build-to- suit projects. SMC launched its site search for Agfa four years ago focusing on Burbank as the preferred area. The site was purchased from Lockheed in October 1994.

``We had a signed lease last June, and 11 months later are ready for occupancy. We have the city of Burbank and its outstanding staff to thank for approving plans and permits in a timely manner,'' Moseley said.

Built by Oltmans Construction Co.'s Thousand Oaks, Calif., office, the new Agfa distribution center is a state-of-the-art facility that is fully air conditioned at 72 degrees for film storage, and features a 21,000-square-foot cold room at 42 degrees for special storage needs.

Additionally, the building features levelers and locks on all docks, energy-efficient dock seals and 25-30 percent more reinforcing in walls and in the roof structure for earthquake resistance. The structure also includes a state-of-the-art fire safety sprinkler system.

Reirson-Duff Inc. of Tustin, Calif., is the project architect. Joseph R. Kraus of The Seeley Co.'s San Fernando Valley office negotiated the sale of the property to SMC.

An outstanding aesthetic amenity of the new Agfa center, and the first developer project completed under Burbank's Art in Public Places program, is a 60-foot by 15-foot granite mural designed by Marie Lund Moseley of Calabasas.

Titled ``Something Big -- Unity,'' the mural is attached to the building's concrete panels and comprises five different colored panels forming a flowing ribbon effect.

Moseley said the design reflects the different races that make up our community through varying tones which flow in harmony.

Agfa has signed a 10-year lease for the property with a five-year option to renew, according to John Moseley. SMC, which built Agfa's former location in Burbank, also owns and leases another distribution center to Agfa at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport in Irving, Texas.

CONTACT: Ansoorian and Associates, Van Nuys, Calif.

Art Ansoorian, 818/881-1183