Dow may sell Rohm and Haas HQ

Dow Chemical Co., new owner of Philadelphia's Rohm and Haas, is shopping the smaller company's 350,000-square-foot, nine-story headquarters at Sixth and Market Sts. It's the second time since 2006 the property has been considered for sale. Last time Rohm decided to renovate the boxy 1960s-era, International-style landmark and stay put. This time, the company is weighing a sale and partial lease-back, given the likelihood of significant cuts to its 1,000-member workforce.

"When you integrate two companies with overlapping functions, there's going to be a reduction," said Rohm spokesman Brian McPeak. "I couldn't say if it's a third, a half, or anything. That's a couple months away." Real estate sources say CB Richard Ellis is shopping the property; McPeak wouldn't confirm that.