In a significant transaction for the Palm Beach County commercial office market, national hospice leader VITAS Healthcare Corporation of Florida has committed its long-term future to the Woolbright Corporate Center in Boynton Beach. The healthcare provider has executed a major lease transaction totaling 27,879 square feet at the suburban office property, combining a six-year renewal of its existing footprint with a strategic corporate expansion.
The transaction was successfully brokered by the commercial real estate firm Berger Commercial Realty, which represented the landlord, Congress Properties & Investments, LLC. Senior Vice President Joe Byrnes and Vice President Brian Batchelder led the negotiations on behalf of ownership. Meanwhile, the tenant was represented in the lease discussions by broker Michael Leiser of Summit CRE Advisors.
Under the terms of the newly finalized agreement, VITAS Healthcare has renewed its existing 25,334-square-foot office lease for an additional six years while simultaneously expanding into an additional 2,545 square feet of administrative space within the building. The property, operating as a premier campus-style office destination, is located at 1901 South Congress Avenue, positioned strategically on approximately 5.75 acres along the west side of South Congress Avenue, just south of Woolbright Road.
The large-scale commitment by VITAS Healthcare serves to reinforce tenant retention at Woolbright Corporate Center, where Berger Commercial Realty acts as the exclusive provider for both leasing and property management services. The continued presence of a major corporate anchor validates the strength of the property’s asset management and highlights the enduring appeal of Boynton Beach’s suburban office corridor.
"It was a win-win situation — the kind of outcome we always strive for," commented Brian Batchelder regarding the successful lease negotiation. "We were able to accommodate VITAS’ growth needs while also providing the Landlord with the long-term benefit of extending its anchor tenant’s lease for an additional term."
Established in 1978, VITAS Healthcare stands as a vital and pioneering provider of hospice care services throughout the United States. Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Chemed Corporation, the firm has grown into a leading national healthcare provider, delivering specialized care to patients across approximately 15 states as well as Washington, D.C. The company operates an extensive network consisting of 60 designated hospice service areas, delivering compassionate, end-of-life care to terminally ill patients in a variety of settings, including their private residences, local nursing homes, hospitals, and within its own portfolio of 30 company-owned inpatient facilities.
The comprehensive care model provided by VITAS is delivered through interdisciplinary teams composed of skilled nurses, attending physicians, home health aides, clergy members, and social workers. Their collective mission focuses heavily on specialized pain and symptom management, providing essential personal care, assisting families with complicated financial arrangements, handling medical equipment and pharmaceutical prescriptions, and offering vital emotional and spiritual support to both patients and their loved ones. Furthermore, the company extends its supportive reach through dedicated bereavement services and ongoing grief counseling programs designed to assist patients’ families following a loss.
The location housing VITAS Healthcare’s regional operations, Woolbright Corporate Center, is a highly desirable 115,000-square-foot campus-style office project. Featuring a low-rise layout set within professionally landscaped grounds, the property currently maintains a robust 85 percent occupancy level, reflecting strong demand within the local submarket. The office complex offers numerous tenant-friendly amenities, including plentiful and accessible free surface parking, which remains a highly sought-after feature for medical and administrative office users alike. In addition to its parking capacity, the property boasts exceptional regional accessibility, providing quick and easy connectivity to Interstate 95 and Florida’s Turnpike, making it convenient for employees, visitors, and healthcare personnel traveling from across Palm Beach County and surrounding regions.
With the successful completion of the VITAS Healthcare expansion and renewal, leasing momentum at the property remains strong. Following this transaction, the available inventory at Woolbright Corporate Center has been reduced to a single remaining vacancy. This sole available space consists of a full floor comprising 16,323 square feet of contiguous office space, which offers prospective tenants the flexibility of being divided to accommodate various space requirements.
Historically, the property has demonstrated a strong track record of stability, maintaining solid occupancy levels and impressive lease renewal rates over the years. By securing its anchor tenant for another six-year term while absorbing additional square footage, Woolbright Corporate Center further solidifies its financial position and reputation as a prime corporate and healthcare office destination in Boynton Beach.
