BURLINGTON, N.C. — Funds managed by Blackstone Credit & Insurance will invest $475 million to construct a highly automated grocery distribution center in Burlington, a city in North Carolina’s Triad region near Greensboro. The Blackstone affiliate purchased the 196-acre site for $46 million, according to Triad Business Journal.
The company leased the site to Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. arm of global grocer Ahold Delhaize that operates the Food Lion, Giant Food and Stop & Shop grocery chains. Under the triple-net lease agreement, Blackstone Credit & Insurance will own the facility and fund 100 percent of the construction costs, while Ahold Delhaize USA will occupy the facility for the long-term with an option to purchase the site in the future.
Construction of the new facility is expected to begin in the first quarter , with plans for the distribution center to be fully operational by 2029 and employ over 500 Ahold Delhaize associates.