Initial Challenges
- Northwestern Mutual was approaching the end of their lease and faced a critical decision: relocate to a new office space or explore options within their current building.
- The firm’s existing office had become outdated and no longer aligned with their growth strategy.
- Northwestern Mutual’s structure, with over 40 financial advisors operating independent practices, introduced the challenge of balancing a wide variety of individual preferences with the need for a cohesive, unified office environment.
- Several relocation options were explored, but none provided the accessibility, convenience, and strategic advantages of their current location, which had been a long-standing hub for client interactions and team collaboration.
- The challenge was not simply finding more space but preserving operational efficiencies while delivering a refreshed, state-of-the-art workspace to support future growth.
BA Solutions
- BA conducted a comprehensive market search to explore relocation opportunities, ensuring Northwestern Mutual was fully informed about all available options.
- Personalized tours were provided for key decision-makers, allowing the firm’s leadership to understand their options while considering the diverse needs of their financial advisors.
- After evaluating several alternatives, the team determined that the best solution was to expand and redesign their existing office space.
- BA negotiated with building ownership to secure additional space, ensuring Northwestern Mutual could grow within their current building without disrupting operations.
- Leveraging their market expertise, BA secured favorable lease terms that supported Northwestern Mutual’s long-term business objectives.
- The team facilitated the entire process from the initial market search through lease negotiation, providing ongoing strategic guidance and ensuring a seamless transition.
“The office space has created an environment that enhances our clients’ perspective of what we do.”
– Jeff Sons
Wealth Management Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
Proven Results
- The newly expanded and redesigned office provides a modern, collaborative environment that fosters stronger team engagement and creates a more dynamic workspace.
- The upgraded space serves as a key client-facing asset, creating a professional and welcoming setting that elevates client interactions and supports business development efforts.
- The decision to remain in their current building proved to be strategically sound, balancing the firm’s immediate space needs with long-term operational continuity.
- Northwestern Mutual expressed high satisfaction with Bradford Allen’s guidance, highlighting the importance of working with a trusted, experienced partner who can navigate complex real estate decisions with ease.
Transform your own office space
As expert tenant representatives, we focus our strategy on the business objectives of our clients. Each service we provide is measured by how well it achieves or enhances client goals. Bradford Allen clients gain the knowledge necessary to quantify their real estate requirements, determine the positives and negatives of available options, and analyze the financial implications involved. To achieve similarly impactful results for your business, consider contacting our experienced brokers today.
PRINCIPAL & PRESIDENT, CHICAGO REGION
BEN AZULAY
Since joining Bradford Allen as an associate in 2004, Ben has made significant contributions to the firm. In 2015, Ben became a Principal due to his hard work, dedication, and vested interest in the direction of the company. While he specializes in representing office tenants in Chicagoland and nationwide, Ben has also had great success representing landlords in a variety of real estate transactions. His expertise in assisting commercial office clients with operational, qualitative, and financial structuring allows Ben to easily identify problem areas and craft smart, client-specific real estate solutions.
Ben handles various projects across the real estate spectrum, enabling him to cultivate a multi-faceted knowledge of the industry. A few of his successful transactions include assisting GrubHub in completing a substantial expansion, in which they nearly doubled the size of their office space; securing over forty office spaces across the country for MedSpeed; and representing Foley and Mansfield, a national law firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while he assisted in the expansion and renewal of their existing office space in Chicago. Ben works with clients across industries including, but not limited to, marketing and advertising, law, healthcare, and technology.
As a member of the leadership team, Ben also plays an integral role in the strategic direction of Bradford Allen. He is a regular contributor to the firm’s research and recruiting efforts, and he assumes an influential role in mentoring new brokers along with overseeing his own team.
Ben lives in Lincoln Park with his wife and four children where he enjoys staying active by biking and running. He’s an active supporter of Ramah Wisconsin and American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) and is an avid fan of the Chicago Bears.
Visit our Tenant Representation services page for more information or to arrange a meeting today.