Author Archives: Matt Baker

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

Ben Azulay, President of Brokerage at Bradford Allen

Ben Azulay, president of brokerage services at Bradford Allen, has been elected to the TCN Worldwide Real Estate Services Board of Directors.

CHICAGO — Bradford Allen, a national full-service real estate firm, today announced Ben Azulay, president of brokerage services, has been elected to the Board of Directors of TCN Worldwide Real Estate Services, a consortium of independent commercial real estate firms. In this role, he will help to oversee TCN’s operations and provide strategic guidance, including about the organization’s expansion into new markets.

Azulay joined Bradford Allen in 2004 as an associate and, following promotions to managing director, senior managing director and principal, was named president of brokerage services earlier this year by the firm’s co-founders and principals, Jeffrey Bernstein and Laurence Elbaum. A member of the firm’s leadership team, Azulay is responsible for building Bradford Allen’s tenant and landlord representation business for office, retail and industrial assets across the country.

“Ben is a well-known force in our industry with a relationship-driven style that has built trust with clients and strengthened Bradford Allen’s reputation in every market we serve,” said Elbaum. “His leadership and insights into how businesses think about space have been invaluable to our growth, and his election to the TCN Worldwide Board is well-deserved recognition from his peers.”

Among his numerous accomplishments, Azulay represented Guggenheim in its recent expansion to 360,000 square feet in New York; completed over 100 transactions across the country for MedSpeed, a client with which he has worked for more than two decades; secured favorable leases for Northwestern Mutual; and assisted D4 Solutions with its relocation and expansion in the Chicago suburbs and outside of St. Louis. He has also counseled numerous nonprofits, including Team Rubicon, Children’s Research Triangle and Cure Violence Global.

Comprised of leading independent brokerage firms, TCN Worldwide provides complete integrated real estate solutions in more than 200 markets globally. Bradford Allen was named TCN’s Chicago affiliate in 2004 and New York City affiliate in 2021 and has been active in its board leadership for almost 20 years. Elbaum was elected to the board in 2006 and served one term as vice chair in 2008 and two terms as chair in 2010 and 2014, while Azulay, who joined the board as secretary in 2017, was also elected as a member in 2021.

Azulay has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He serves on the boards of the University of Wisconsin Hillel and Camp Ramah in Conover, Wis. His podcast, “Ten with Ben,” spotlights emerging commercial real estate trends.

Bradford Allen has offices in Chicago and Manhattan. In addition to its brokerage business, the firm also has investment and development arms with active projects in suburban Chicago, Indianapolis, Nashville and other markets nationwide.

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 Matt Baker, mbaker@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4512 or Patty Cronin, pcronin@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4513. 

 

Bradford Allen Named Exclusive Leasing Agent for Newly Renovated 1333 N. Kingsbury in Chicago

1333 N. Kingsbury in Lincoln Park

Bradford Allen has been named the exclusive leasing agent for 1333 N. Kingsbury, a newly renovated office building in Chicago’s Lincoln Park/Clybourn Corridor. (Credit: Guillermo Pizano Núñez)

CHICAGO  — Bradford Allen announced its appointment as exclusive leasing agent for 1333 N. Kingsbury, a newly renovated office building in Chicago’s Lincoln Park/Clybourn Corridor, led by Associate Directors Katrina Dougherty and Michael Flinchbaugh.

With skyline-facing outdoor terraces, full-height windows and free, gated tenant parking available, 1333 N. Kingsbury blends boutique appeal with modern building upgrades, including a new lobby, elevators, windows and adaptable space suitable for a range of users. Current availabilities range from 1,500 to 40,000 square feet.

“1333 N. Kingsbury combines light, amenities and access in a location with growing momentum,” said Dougherty. “The building has ample parking for tenants and visitors, and outdoor terraces on each floor — amenities in high demand today. Pair these advantages with great ownership that can deliver turnkey space aligned to office and retail tenant needs, and you have a clear, low-friction path to high-quality space just north of the traditional downtown core.”

1333 N. Kingsbury’s location offers convenient access, steps from the North Avenue retail spine, four blocks from the CTA Red Line at North/Clybourn, near multiple CTA bus routes, and minutes to the Kennedy Expressway to the west and Lake Shore Drive to the east. Its address combines the best proximity to Lincoln Park and Old Town with the convenience to downtown.

The property is owned by a partnership of Structured Development and ZSD, led by J. Michael Drew and Zev Salomon, respectively. The team has been instrumental in shaping the Clybourn Corridor’s live-work-play dynamic and continues to drive it forward with new development. At 1333 N. Kingsbury, ownership’s latest milestone is a new lease with Goose Island Golf Club for just over 5,000 square feet, further activating the street level and reinforcing leasing momentum at the asset.

For leasing information on 1333 N. Kingsbury, contact Bradford Allen’s Katrina Dougherty and Michael Flinchbaugh or visit www.1333nkingsbury.com.

About Bradford Allen:

Bradford Allen (BA) is a commercial real estate firm based in the heart of downtown Chicago. Founded in 2003 by Jeff Bernstein and Larry 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 or to schedule an interview, contact Matt Baker, mbaker@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4512 or Patty Cronin, pcronin@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4513.

 

Bradford Allen Acquires 179,000-Square-Foot Office Building in Rosemont, Ill.

6400 Shafer Court in Rosemont, Illinois.

Purchase marks company’s third commercial real estate acquisition in Rosemont in as many years.

CHICAGO — Bradford Allen today announced it has purchased 6400 Shafer Court, a seven-story, 179,000-square-foot office building in Rosemont, Ill., minutes from O’Hare International Airport. The firm plans to invest more than $7 million in upgrades and will manage and lease the property.

The purchase marks the company’s third acquisition in the Rosemont submarket in as many years. Bradford Allen previously bought Pointe O’Hare, a Class A office building at 9550 W. Higgins Road, in 2022, raising occupancy to over 85% from less than 60% in just two and a half years. In 2023, it acquired the Hyatt Rosemont at 6350 N. River Road, converting it to the recently opened Hyatt Centric Chicago/O’Hare after a $30 million renovation.

“Our purchase of 6400 Shafer reaffirms our commitment to this part of Rosemont, which has tremendous potential as a multi-experiential district,” said Laurence Elbaum, principal and co-founder of Bradford Allen. “It’s centrally located, has superior transit access and boasts retail, restaurant, entertainment and hospitality offerings that make it a draw for corporate users.

“6400 Shafer is a rare asset in its ability to offer mid-priced, highly amenitized office space in the O’Hare submarket,” he added.

Located between Higgins Road and Devon Avenue, with immediate access to the Tri-State Tollway and Kennedy Expressway, 6400 Shafer offers Class A amenities like a heated indoor parking garage, state-of-the-art fitness center, free shuttle service to O’Hare and the CTA Blue Line, and on-site café. It is steps from Cima, the new restaurant housed in the neighboring Hyatt Centric hotel, as well as other dining options, including those at the adjacent Rivers Casino Des Plaines.

In addition to addressing deferred maintenance, Bradford Allen will make upgrades including new spec office suites ranging in size from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet, updated locker rooms and a modernized conference facility. It acquired the property from the village of Rosemont, which purchased the asset from its prior lender following foreclosure.

Joel Berger and Norm Murdoch of Bradford Allen will handle leasing for the property, which was about 60% occupied at the time of purchase. Current tenants include Acrisure, Planet Fitness and TrueNorth Insurance.

In addition to Rosemont, Bradford Allen also owns properties in suburban Chicago in Downers Grove, Deerfield and Northbrook; Greenwich, Conn.; Denver; Jacksonville, Fla.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and other markets. The firm has made a number of other value-add investments in large office properties as well.

About Bradford Allen:

Bradford Allen (BA) is a commercial real estate firm based in the heart of downtown Chicago. Founded in 2003 by Jeff Bernstein and Larry 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.

Editors:

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Matt Baker, mbaker@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4512 or Patty Cronin, pcronin@taylorjohnson.com, (312) 267-4513.