Press

Over 38,000 SF Leased at Edens Corporate Center 6 Months After Purchase

Published April 5, 2022

CHICAGO, IL — Jeffrey A. Bernstein and Laurence B. Elbaum, Principals and Co-Founders of Bradford Allen, are pleased to announce that Senior Managing Director Joel Berger and Associate Jake Blesi have leased over 38,000 SF at Edens Corporate Center, 630 & 650 Dundee Road in Northbrook, IL, just six months after being named the exclusive leasing agent.

In addition to the prime location and best-in-class amenities, Berger attributes the robust leasing momentum to a dedicated focus on tenant needs, creative thinking, and deep knowledge of the North Suburban market.

“We have only represented Edens Corporate Center since the fall of 2021, and our goal was to be known as the nicest, most responsive, and most creative building in the market. Most of the I-94 North Suburban market is institutional landlords who are slow to respond to changing tenant needs and tend to think linearly. We listen, are highly responsive to tenants, and like to think creatively to find solutions. Our immediate success shows our approach works. There is certainly a tenant need in the area for responsive and dynamic landlords and landlords’ agents.”

Bradford Allen’s successful leasing program has meant growing economic opportunities and job creation for the North Suburban market. In addition to an 18,000-SF renewal for marketing firm Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide, and a 3,700-SF renewal for law firm Mason, Wenk & Berman, L.L.C., there were three new leases at the property: RHM Staffing Solutions, 7,800 SF; Velos Wealth Management, 2,600 SF; and Phase3 Capital Management, 3,500 SF. Additionally, existing tenant TriGran Investments, Inc., 2,800 SF, extended and expanded its lease.

About Bradford Allen
Bradford Allen is a national commercial real estate firm based in the heart of downtown Chicago. The company offers a full array of brokerage services and expertise to entrepreneurial, corporate, and not-for-profit clients. Services include strategy, marketing, and transaction execution for occupiers, investors, and owners of commercial real estate. Bradford Allen is the brand name of Bradford Allen Realty Services.

Bradford Allen’s Ben Azulay Re-Elected to TCN Board of Directors

Published November 9, 2021

Chicago, IL — Jeffrey A. Bernstein and Laurence B. Elbaum, Principals and Co-Founders of Bradford Allen, are pleased to announce the re-election of Ben Azulay, Principal at Bradford Allen, to the TCN Worldwide Board of Directors. Bradford Allen has been the Chicago office affiliate of TCN Worldwide since 2004, enabling comprehensive service to its clients locally, nationally, and internationally. In 2021, Bradford Allen became the New York affiliate with the opening of their downtown office at 745 5th Avenue, New York, NY. Ben’s involvement continues BA’s strong tradition of leadership within TCN as Laurence Elbaum served nine years on the Board of Directors, including four years as Chairman.

“We are thrilled that Ben was re-elected to the TCN Worldwide Board of Directors,” said Elbaum. “Ben has been an integral part of Bradford Allen for more than 17 years. In addition to his successful tenure as Regional Vice President for TCN’s Central Region, he has demonstrated his innate ability to lead with multiple TCN Team Player awards. I am proud to see him continue our firm’s tradition of leadership within TCN.”

Joining Bradford Allen in 2004, Ben has built a national client base by focusing on representing tenants whose operations are based in Chicagoland. Throughout his tenure with the firm, he has represented large users of office space in a wide variety of transactions that include GrubHub, Northwestern Mutual, and MedSpeed.

Bradford Allen Expands Brokerage Services to New York City, Appoints Glenn Isaacson as Regional President

Published October 19, 2021

New York, NY — Bradford Allen, a full-service, national commercial real estate services firm headquartered in Chicago, announced its expansion with the opening of a New York office and the strategic hiring of industry veteran Glenn Isaacson as President of the New York office. The announcement was made by the firm’s principals and founders, Jeffrey A. Bernstein and Laurence B. Elbaum.

Bradford Allen was co-founded in 2003 to fill the void between large commercial real estate providers and small boutique firms. Headquartered in the heart of downtown Chicago, the entrepreneurial firm has grown into a best-in-class brokerage offering a full array of services, including tenant representation, landlord representation, consulting and advisory services, property and asset management and construction and project management. With three offices in Chicago, the company is now comprised of over 100 professionals providing strategy, marketing, and transaction execution for occupiers and owners of commercial real estate.

Bradford Allen New York represents a return to Manhattan for the firm’s founders who began their real estate careers as a team at Walter & Samuels in 1992 and then at the Edward S. Gordon Company and Insignia/ESG. Bernstein and Elbaum completed more than seven million square feet of transactions while teamed in New York, and together helped shape the office landscape of Midtown South.

“Our return to the New York City market gives us the opportunity to introduce the differentiated Bradford Allen platform to the world’s most dynamic, vital business hub,” said Mr. Bernstein. “In this era of consolidation and mega-firms, we fill a void for principal-driven service and attention, and a commitment to excellence in all we do.”

Mr. Elbaum said the opportunity dovetails with Bradford Allen’s ability to secure Glenn Isaacson as principal and president of the New York operation. “We have confidence in Glenn to build and lead this office, to create a professional and collegial environment where experienced, talented and inspired real estate service experts can work together to craft and execute transactions that serve their clients’ business goals.”

One of the most accomplished professionals in New York commercial real estate, Mr. Isaacson brings 40 years of leadership and experience to his new role. Mr. Isaacson has held some of the most senior and prestigious posts at New York’s top real estate services firms, culminating as Vice Chairman at Cushman & Wakefield prior to his appointment as President of Bradford Allen New York. Recognized as both a strong manager and seasoned brokerage professional, Mr. Isaacson has completed more than 20 million square feet of leasing transactions. His customers include a large number of prominent owners and agencies, as well as esteemed tenants such as
Boston Consulting Group, Northwell Health, Avenues Schools, China Merchants Bank and Seyfarth Shaw. In addition, he is recognized for his work on behalf of respected nonprofit organizations such as Carnegie Hall Corporation, UJA Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, American Kennel Club and the American Foundation for AIDS Research (on whose board he now sits).

As President of Bradford Allen New York, he will be responsible for managing all brokerage services and company operations in addition to leading transactions with landlords and tenants, directing new business development, and assembling a group of top professionals to strengthen the firm’s position in the regional marketplace.

The process of forming the Bradford Allen New York team is under way with the hiring of Tony Builder as an Associate Broker and Kim Woodruff-Walker as office manager. Mr. Isaacson said he and his partners are meeting with several seasoned professionals to build out a strong core team.

“I’m excited by the opportunity to build Bradford Allen New York and lead the office forward through exceptional client servicing and top-talent recruiting,” adds Mr. Isaacson. “Over the course of my career, I’ve learned first-hand what works and what doesn’t work in the brokerage industry. Bradford Allen’s platform and efficient process is compatible with my own approach to transacting business, with a value proposition that combines the expertise of a large brokerage alongside the nimble mobility of a privately held firm. It’s the ideal time for Bradford Allen to plant its flag in the dynamic New York City market and the commercial real estate environment in this region is ripe for our future growth.”

Bradford Allen Investment Advisors acquires Edens Corporate Center in Northbrook, IL

Published September 8, 2021

CHICAGO, IL — John Butler, Executive Managing Director of BAIA, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Edens Corporate Center at 630 & 650 Dundee Road in Northbrook, IL. Bradford Allen Realty Services will be the leasing agent, and Bradford Allen Management Services will be the property manager.

Built in 1988, the recently renovated property is a Class A, 187,509-square-foot suburban office building located immediately right off of the Edens Expressway/Interstate 94, the main highway north from the city of Chicago. Joel Berger, Senior Managing Director, and Jake Blesi, Associate, will lease the four-floor property, which currently offers 56,000 square feet of vacancies and an underway spec suite, as well as move-in ready options for tenants. The complex features a 122-car, below-ground, heated, executive parking garage; a one-of-a-kind outdoor meeting facility; recently modernized lobbies, lavatories, and common areas, along with a fitness center and yoga studio.

“The property is unique within the Skokie Boulevard submarket. It is easily the best option for the smaller and mid-sized tenants, with each floor having two wings that offer flexible space designs with a great window line. The proximity to walkable amenities coupled with the underground garage, the renovated common areas, indoor and outdoor conference facilities, fitness center, and Once Upon a Bagel as the on-site food service, make Edens Corporate Center the best value in the submarket,” said Berger.

“We just signed our first new lease with Phase 3 Capital Management for 3,500 RSF last week and have another lease out for signature. The North suburbs have continued to perform well this year, and we were so excited to have had the opportunity to acquire one of the best buildings in the North Market. Our planned upgrades to the tenant amenities—along with the engaged, flexible, and local ownership—will help the property attract dynamic new tenants in the area,” added Butler.

Bradford Allen completes 35,500 SF of leasing at 570 Lake Cook Road

Published August 3, 2021

CHICAGO, IL — Jeffrey A. Bernstein and Laurence B. Elbaum, Principals and Co-Founders of Bradford Allen, are pleased to announce that Senior Managing Director Joel Berger has completed five transactions totaling 35,539 SF at 570 Lake Cook Road in Deerfield, IL.

Banner Real Estate Group (represented by Randy Bowles and Steve Levitas of Newmark) signed a new lease for 2,750 SF. Align Business Finance (represented by Sam Grossman of The Fairchild Group) signed a lease expansion and renewal for 4,986 SF. Completed lease renewals included DD&A for 2,003 SF, Sedgwick Claims Management Services (represented by Paul Diederich of CBRE) for 9,323 SF, and Vail Systems, Inc. (represented by Dan McCarthy and Phil Geiger of JLL) for 16,477 SF.

“The recent volume of leasing activity is a testament to the new ownership’s commitment to positioning 570 Lake Cook Road as a best-in-class property. The onsite Lake Cook Metra Station coupled with the underground parking garage are significant differentiators from the property’s competition and make 570 a better value,” said Berger.