Expanded Office Leases, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

PHILADELPHIA—In this deal-tracker roundup, a law firm and two nonprofits expanded their office space, and an upscale Italian restaurant cooked up a plan to move into a new King of Prussia location, while a bank and another law firm added to their professional teams. Meanwhile, a South Jersey commercial broker made a big donation to Habitat for Humanity.

Leasing

PHILADELPHIA—PernaFrederick Commercial Real Estate has brokered three lease agreements for approximately 9,432 square feet of Center City office space with a combined aggregate rental of $1.23 million. In the largest of the agreements, Joe Viturello of PernaFrederick represented the law firm of O'Brien Rulis Bochicchio in the lease of about 5,182 square feet on the 15th floor of 1515 Market Street for the expansion of its offices in the 20-story, 500,000 square foot building.  The building owner, BRI1866 1515 Market, was represented by Alex Breitmayer, a broker with Jones Lang LaSalle. At 1211 Chestnut Street, Viturello and Michael Anderson represented the Philadelphia Center on Alcoholism in a lease for 2,250 square feet that relocates the PCA from 1501 Cherry Street. The building owner, 1211 Chestnut Realty Corporation, was represented in the lease negotiations by Eric Muller, a broker with SSH Realty. Anderson represented The Peggy Browning Fund, which is moving to 2,000 square feet on the 12^th floor of the Land Title Building, 100 South Broad Street, from approximately 1,000 square feet the Fund currently occupies at 1528 Walnut Street. Karl Schwemlein, a broker with M.S. Fox Realty, cooperated with PernaFrederick and represented the building owner, LTD Limited Partnership, in finalizing the space contract.

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA—Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse is leasing a new 9,000 square foot restaurant at The King of Prussia Town Center, a new 400,000 square foot retail and dining destination in King of Prussia, PA. With locations in Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, and Atlanta, Davio's will join other signature restaurants at the center, including Fogo De Chao, Paladar Latin Kitchen, Old Town Pour House and Honeygrow. All of these restaurants are slated to open in the third quarter of 2016.

Executive Moves

PHILADELPHIA—The national law firm of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott named Samuel M. Franklin an associate in the real estate practice group in its Philadelphia office. Before joining private practice, he served as a legal intern with the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania. Franklin earned a JD degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Pittsburgh Journal of Technology Law & Policy. He holds a BA in political science from the University of Pennsylvania.

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ—Sun National Bank named Jessica Veliz a vice president and relationship manager for the bank's Commercial Real Estate team. A graduate of Monmouth University, Veliz has a background in managing commercial real estate relationships and related portfolios throughout the region. Veliz will be responsible for business development and relationship management for clients throughout New Jersey, the New York metro region, and Pennsylvania.  "Jessica is a dedicated, knowledgeable, and experienced professional and we are proud to see her contributions recognized with this well-earned promotion," says Paul H. Ciancimino, senior vice president and director of Commercial Real Estate.

Community Activities

MT. LAUREL, NJ—NAI Mertz, which is focused on southern New Jersey and greater Philadelphia, recently presented Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County, New Jersey, with a $10,000 charitable donation. "Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding organization that truly helps make a positive impact in our community," says Barry Mertz, CEO of NAI Mertz.  "Our donation is a testament to our long-time friendship with Habitat for Humanity and NAI Mertz's commitment to giving back to our community." In 2013, NAI Mertz assisted Habitat for Humanity in relocating its offices and ReStore showroom to a highly visible 25,000-square-foot facility on Route 38 in Mount Laurel.  The new location has helped grow both the organization and its ReStore retail operation. On hand for the check presentation at NAI Mertz's headquarters were (from left): Lori Leonard, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County; Barry Mertz, CEO, NAI Mertz; and Scott Mertz, president, NAI Mertz.