Direct Line Global’s Post

Iconic Signs: Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania Find it at: Downtown Scranton Year put up: 1923 You probably associate Scranton with "The Office" more than with innovation, but this quiet Pennsylvania city was once a pioneer of embracing a groundbreaking new technology called electricity. When Scranton called itself "the Electric City," it wasn't exaggerating. In the 1880s, it was one of the first cities to have electricity and to use electric-powered streetcars. The sign was put up in 1923 to boast these accomplishments, and it used 1,200 lightbulbs just to show the rest of the world how far into the future they really were. As you've probably guessed, the city didn't continue leading the way in innovation during the 20th century, and its iconic sign was actually turned off for several decades. However, it was revitalized in 2004 and then taken down and replaced with an LED sign in 2014. #sign #signs #signcompany #signmaker #signservice

Episode 40 of The R5 Connection with Gary Lozoff and Dan Ritterman is now live! On this episode: 1. More Retail Woes Family Dollar has announced they plan to close 6 Philadelphia area stores and lay off as many as 62 employees per a WARN act filed with the state and an article by Ryan Mulligan in Philadelphia Business Journal. This news closely follows our recent reporting on the closure of several RITE AID locations. Family Dollar plans to close nearly 1,000 locations nationwide before the end of April. 2. Deals of the Year Philadelphia Business Journal recently announced its Best Real Estate Deals of 2023. Among the honorees are the new headquarters of Scrub Daddy, Inc., Goodwin's new University City Lease, and our work with Fox Rothschild for their new Philadelphia headquarters. Congratulations to all the winners! 3. Old Town Road Surprise . . . not! The rush of Lower Merion Township to accommodate demand for local courts on which to play the fastest growing sport in the United States – #pickleball – has stirred organized neighborhood opposition to the proposed construction of four dedicated pickleball courts in Ashbridge Park, which is nestled in a leafy area between Rosemont College and Bryn Mawr College, per reporting of Jesse Bunch in The Philadelphia Inquirer.    #BuildingWatch: We’re helping longstanding client Biomeme, Inc. on a new project. Yes – that Biomeme – whose new global headquarters project at 401 North Broad Street was awarded Office Deal of 2022 by Philadelphia Business Journal. Biomeme is looking to sublease a mix of furnished executive offices, workstations, conference rooms, and a fully-equipped biolab – up to approximately 15% of the total area of its suite. Tech, med device, biotech, material science solopreneurs and entrepreneurs -- this is an unmatched opportunity to grow your business alongside the business, lab, and manufacturing Biomeme Team, at a remarkably convenient, secure Center City location. Tactix Real Estate Advisors Exis Global #philadelphia #commercialrealestate #tenantrepresentation

🚉 From the Tracks 🎙️ Join Dan Ritterman and me (of Tactix Real Estate Advisors) live for Episode 4️⃣6️⃣ of The R5 Connection #podcast, during which we discuss the following #news stories affecting #Philly #commercialrealestate: 1) Ballin’ at The Battery WOW! Talk about Electric. Jake Blumgart recently informed readers of The Philadelphia Inquirer about Ballers, the brilliant new #experiential #retail add to The Battery — Greater Center City’s ultimate lifestyle campus along the banks of the Delaware River. Ballers is the 45k+ sf, $10MM+ indoor sporting facility now under construction at the former power plant, which will include a massive turf field, dedicated squash, padel, and pickleball courts, golf simulators, and other hospitality and entertainment improvements. David Gutstadt — yes, that David Gutstadt, the creator of Fitler Club — is leading Ballers’ executive and operations team. 2) Shifting #CRE Plates on Avenue of the Arts Philadelphia Business Journal, and Jake Blumgart and Ryan Riggs (among others) in The Inquirer have written on the impacts of the sudden closure of University of the Arts, which follows on recent shuttering of Cabrini College, Delaware College of Art and Design, and the degree programs at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The UArts #CenterCity real estate portfolio is substantial — and prominent. And absolutely certain to attract massive interest among a wide band of opportunistic investors. 3) US Office Fit-Out Cost Increases are Moderating Andy Peters recently shared in CoStar News the results of a recent multi-market survey of year-over-year changes in #design and #construction costs for US #office fit-out projects. Mercifully, the composite for metro #Philadelphia reflect costs that are just slightly higher than 2023. What a relief! BUILDING WATCH: #Publicservice award of the week is pinned on Ximena Conde, for publishing (in The Inquirer) news that Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is in process of repealing its four-year+ waiver on parking fees at #SEPTA regional #rail lots and several garages. Can we spell institutional “tin ear?” SEPTA regional rail ridership has not returned to anywhere near pre-pandemic levels — despite this concession. Why, then, take public steps now to increase the barrier to adding ridership? 📣All aboard! Exis Global #tenantrepresentation

Hirsh Precision is a staple of Colorado Manufacturing. I’ve had the pleasure of working with their great team on multiple projects & experienced first hand how dedicated they are to making high quality, precision products for their many customers. It’s been cool to see the company grow as much as it has, while maintaining a culture that truly feels like a big family. Great company. Great people. #surfaceprep #metalfinishing #machinistlife #carbide #metalwork #solidworks #technology #cuttingtools #cad #industrial #engineer #cnctools #machinetools #jobshop #engineering #mechanicalengineering #STEM #TechTrends #innovation #manufacturing #AerospaceEngineering

We're moving! Check out our new address at The Hub, 2352 S. Park Street, Suite 438 Madison, WI 53713. We are excited for how this further integrates and connects us to Community and our DEIB Values. See you in Madison on Monday at our new offices! Check out more information on The Hub in the comments. #Moves #CompanyMoves #PeopleandProcess #BusinessContinuity

Flxpoint knows how to have a kickoff. Custom throwback t's—upbeat presentations—and plenty of time for the team to unwind. Here is a quick highlight reel we put together for their team.

Exciting growth

Today at Park•O•Lot our hearts are full as we welcome a new member to our family: a vendor whose vision aligns so beautifully with our own. It’s more than a partnership; it’s a shared dream of reimagining what parking can be in our community. Imagine a place where every parking space tells a story of efficiency, respect, and harmony. This is the future we envision, and with our new vendor by our side, it’s a future we’re ready to build. Our journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Every line painted, every sign posted, has been a step toward understanding what our community truly needs. And today, as we stand on the brink of this new alliance, we’re reminded of why we started: to make a real difference, one parking space at a time. This celebration is more than just a welcome party for our new vendor. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when hearts and minds come together, united by a common goal. While the details of this partnership will unfold in due time, today, let’s bask in the warmth of this new beginning. To our community, our team, and our new vendor partner: here’s to the roads we’ll pave together, the stories we’ll write in every parking lot, and the countless journeys we’ll make better, together. #ParkOLotPartnership #ParkingInnovation #CommunityCompliance #NewBeginningsParkOLot #EcoSystemEnhancement #StrategicAlliance #EfficientParkingSolutions #WelcomeToTheFamily #ShapingTheFutureTogether #ParkOLotFamily

Building your balanced practice means finding the right model, products, and support to go further, faster. That's what advisors have come to expect at MassMutual Brooklyn.