Monthly Archives: October 2023

Ten with Ben 021: Wrapping Up Q3 2023

Published October 27, 2023

In this week’s episode, Ben reflects on his two-decade-long journey as a tenant rep broker, shares current market conditions, and identifies recent challenges the industry is facing. From the bustling Fulton Market district to new activity throughout the Loop, get an expert view on what’s shaping Chicago’s office landscape. Post-pandemic, the deals may be smaller, but leases are being signed. Ben also touches on the perseverance of brokers, the importance of location to tenants, and just what makes Chicago such a dynamic and resilient city.

In the wake of the unprecedented terrorist attack that ignited war in Israel, we recognize this is a time of immeasurable grief and hardship for many around the world. Ben begins this week’s podcast expressing his feelings with an open discussion about his connection to Israel.

Prefer the audio? Listen to the MP3 or stream from your favorite podcast provider.

 

Q3/23 Downtown Market Report

Published October 10, 2023

Bradford Allen is pleased to share with you our latest office market report.

This quarter in the downtown office market:

  • Absorption turned negative with -431,000 s.f. of net absorption through Q3/23, resulting in year-to-date levels of -933,000 s.f.
  • The direct vacancy rate remained steady, sitting at 19.8% for the CBD.
  • Available sublease space ticked down to 7.6 million s.f.
  • The gross asking rate for the market remained at $44 p.s.f.

 

Bradford Allen Names Jennifer Murphy as President of Management Services

Published October 9, 2023

20-year veteran of property and construction management will oversee firm’s national office portfolio

CHICAGO, IL — Bradford Allen, a national full-service real estate firm, today announced Jennifer Murphy has joined the firm as president of management services. In this role, Murphy will be responsible for managing Bradford Allen’s growing portfolio of office properties in Chicago and nationally. She will report to Brian Dovalovsky, senior managing director of Bradford Allen, and be based in the firm’s downtown Chicago headquarters.

“Jennifer’s appointment is strategically timed with the growth of our national office platform as we continue to acquire, improve and lease up high-quality assets in desirable markets across the country,” said Dovalovsky. “In today’s ever-evolving workplace landscape, she will be instrumental in helping us meet demand for modern, experiential office environments that are highly functional for occupiers and profitable for ownership.”

A 20-year veteran of property and construction management, Murphy has helped launch and reposition large-scale office properties, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies, lifestyle-oriented amenities and best-in-class services to enhance marketability and drive operational performance. She previously spent 16 years at Hines Interests Limited Partnership, most recently serving as senior construction manager for Salesforce Tower Chicago, the 1.2 million-square-foot high-rise at 333 W. Wolf Point Drive in downtown Chicago. In that role, Murphy oversaw the base building construction and managed the construction, FF&E and transition to operations for the tower’s 20,000-square-foot amenity suite, which includes conference facilities, a full-service fitness center, tenant lounges and more.

Prior to her work on Salesforce Tower, she was general manager for 333 W. Wacker Drive (890,000 square feet), which followed successful management roles at 1 S. Dearborn St. (870,000 square feet), 101 N. Wacker Drive (600,000 square feet) and other properties owned by Hines. She also was property operations manager for Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Murphy holds an MBA with distinction from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, with a focus on real estate finance and investment. She earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in civil engineering, with a specialty in structural engineering and a minor in urban and regional planning, from the University of California, Irvine. She is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois and holds an EIT license in California.

About Bradford Allen:
Bradford Allen (BA) is a commercial real estate firm based in the heart of downtown Chicago. Founded in 2003 by principals Jeffrey Bernstein and Laurence Elbaum as an office brokerage, the firm has grown into a vertically integrated commercial real estate company, offering a full array of services and expertise across multiple U.S. markets to entrepreneurial, corporate and not-for-profit clients, including strategy, marketing and transaction execution for occupiers, investors and owners. For more information, visit bradfordallen.com.

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Editors:
For more information, contact Jeremy Barewin, jbarewin@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4533.

 

Bradford Allen Submits Plan for 300-Unit Mixed-Use Development in Arlington Heights, Ill.

Published October 5, 2023

Along with new medical office building, project to help revitalize neighborhood with apartments and retail

CHICAGO, IL — The development arm of Bradford Allen, a Chicago-based national real estate investment advisory, has formally submitted plans for a mixed-use development in Arlington Heights, Ill., to village officials. Located just north of Interstate 90, at the southeast corner of Arlington Heights and Algonquin roads, the project comprises 300 apartments and approximately 25,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.

A joint venture between Bradford Allen and Chicago-based Moceri+Roszak, which is also serving as architect, presented the plans to neighbors during a recent community meeting. As proposed, the eight-story development would include a mix of 68 studios, 143 one-bedrooms, 79 two-bedrooms and 10 three-bedrooms, with 55% of units having balconies. Approximately 30 of the units will be designated as affordable housing.

“There is a great opportunity to revitalize this end of Arlington Heights, where there’s high population density and a strong demand for modern rental housing with easy access to nearby retail and entertainment offerings, as well as I-90 and O’Hare International Airport,” said Brian Carley, senior managing director at Bradford Allen. “We have had productive conversations and received positive feedback from village officials to this point and look forward to hearing back on final approval.”

The building is expected to include 17,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities including an outdoor pool and spa with sun deck, fitness area for yoga and other classes, social and media rooms, business center, library, work-from-home conference rooms, golf simulator, dog walk and spa, grill stations and pickleball court. The development will include indoor parking for 484 vehicles as well as 86 outdoor spaces for the retail component. In addition, the project is seeking ENERGY STAR certification for its environmental sustainability.

The proposed mixed-use development is adjacent to the former Daily Herald building, which Bradford Allen is converting into a 150,000-square-foot medical office complex known as ArlingtonMed. Together, the buildings are part of a potential 16-acre master-planned community that includes additional apartment buildings and retail.

Bradford Allen officially kicked off pre-leasing efforts for ArlingtonMed in September. The existing structure is available for tours by appointment and will be fully renovated to Class A medical office standards upon securing an anchor tenant.

“ArlingtonMed represents a unique opportunity for healthcare tenants seeking high accessibility and visibility along the expressway,” said Joel Berger, senior managing director at Bradford Allen and lead leasing agent for the property. “ArlingtonMed also offers large floor plates that give tenants complete control over how their space is designed, maximizing efficiency while improving the patient experience.”

About Bradford Allen:
Bradford Allen (BA) is a commercial real estate firm based in the heart of downtown Chicago. Founded in 2003 by principals Jeffrey Bernstein and Laurence Elbaum as an office brokerage, the firm has grown into a vertically integrated commercial real estate company, offering a full array of services and expertise across multiple U.S. markets to entrepreneurial, corporate and not-for-profit clients, including strategy, marketing and transaction execution for occupiers, investors and owners. For more information, visit bradfordallen.com.

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Editors:
For more information, contact Jeremy Barewin, jbarewin@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4533.