Congratulations to Larry Eastburn, BPG's March Associate of the Month

Buccini Pollin Group’s Associate of the Month award is designed to recognize and reward associates that demonstrate and operate by BPG’s Core Values. Please join us in congratulating BPG|360 Maintenance Engineer Larry Eastburn as our March Associate of the Month!

The 500,000 SF Union Power Plant campus, formally known as the Wharf or the Delaware County Electric Company, is HQ for the Philadelphia Union MLS organization, and comprised of a 400,000 SF multi-tenanted historic building, soccer stadium, newly installed 8 turf fields, player training center, and soon-to-be 150,000 SF state of the art Sportsplex and Rec Center. The Union Power Plant has recently been designated as Power Home Remodeling’s HQ, our anchor tenant with a sizeable expansion planned for 2025. The YSC Academy, the Union’s sports youth private school, joined the building community in the summer of 2024.The building reached 96% occupancy in less than three years, which is unparalleled in this current commercial real estate climate.

Larry has been with BPG for 17 years and at the Union Power Plant since 2017. Larry brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the building community. Larry is well respected by tenants, vendors, BPG staff, and ownership. Kelly Wilson, YSC’s Director of Operations: Larry is the definition of "service with a smile." He responds quickly and with a helpful, pleasant desire to fix or attend to what is needed. He understands the importance of our work with the boys and respects us, our time, and our space. He is a part of our "village" and any awards bestowed upon him are warranted!" And, Nooha Ahmed-Lee, YSC Head of School:“Larry always makes his rounds to check in on me and the school and ensure everything is in tip-top shape! He cares about his job and the people he works with, and it shows!"

It is clear that Larry embodies many of our core values and is passionate about building and serving our community. Larry’s attention to detail and proven track record of managing multiple projects at the same time is invaluable to the day-to-day operations at the Union Power Plant. His selfless demeanor and willingness to go above and beyond is recognized by ownership and those who work with him daily. Larry is a valued member of our team and demonstrates great leadership when the occasion arises.

Want to work for an organization voted as a Top Workplace? Click here to view our current career opportunities.

BPG|360 Receives Fitwel Certification for Three Properties in Wilmington, DE

BPG|360, the commercial property management division of the Buccini/Pollin Group, is proud to announce that it has achieved Fitwel® Certification for the Brandywine, Nemours, and WSFS buildings in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Fitwel is the world's leading certification system for buildings and communities that optimize projects to support health. Administered by the Center for Active Design (CFAD), Fitwel assesses projects across 12 categories that improve occupant health and productivity.

The Brandywine, Nemours, and WSFS buildings all received scores above 90 points earning them a Star 1 rating (96.95, 93.60, and 94.02 respectively). The Brandywine, Nemours, and WSFS building are also the first Fitwel rated properties located in the state of Delaware.

The Fitwel Certification for these three buildings demonstrates BPG|360’s commitment to advancing tenant wellbeing. In consultation with Evolution Sustainability Group, BPG|360’s decision to pursue the Fitwel certification follows the great strides the organization made during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health and safety our tenants as they returned to the workplace.

All three of these buildings incorporate a number of evidence-based design and operations strategies that support the physical, mental, and social health of occupants to earn the Fitwel Certification. Some examples include providing regular occupants access to a common break area, an outdoor amenity space, and publicly accessible uses on the ground floor like a restaurant or retail store, as well as implementing an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Policy, which identifies areas for improvement in air quality and provides benchmarks to ensure air quality remains high over time. These strategies relate to overall tenant health and wellbeing by increasing physical activity levels, pedestrian activity, social interaction, community engagement and exposure to daylight, which all contribute to enhanced physical and mental health.  

This recognition comes at a time when BPG|360 is heavily concentrating on optimizing the tenant experience with several physical improvements across the portfolio as well as implementation of additional services.

BPG|360 recently completed a $2 million renovation to the ground floor of the Brandywine Building to introduce a state-of-the-art conferencing facility and stadium-style seating area with a 12’ display and grab-and-go market. The new amenity space has been widely used by tenants throughout the building as an extension of their office space for company-wide gatherings, external client meetings, viewing parties, and more. BPG|360 plans to unveil a similar 4,500 SF amenity space at the WSFS building in 2023 with a conferencing center, lounge, grab-and-go market, and fitness center.

Additionally, the company is implementing a new shuttle service in 2023 to provide tenants with easier access to and from the Wilmington Train Station and offering tenants a basic gym membership from CoreTen Fitness, Wilmington’s premier boutique fitness center, at no cost.

“BPG|360 has been focused on our tenant’s wellness long before the COVID-19 pandemic. The operational protocols, cleaning guidelines, and tenant programming we have implemented over the years have now been validated through the Fitwel Certification process, and our team couldn’t be more deserving of this recognition,” said Ralph Rossi, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for BPG|360. “With that said, this does not mark the end of efforts. The Fitwel Star rating is a simply a baseline for us to continue to improve and make the office as welcoming and healthy as it has ever been.”

Click Here to view photos of the Brandywine, Nemours, and WSFS buildings as well as the Fitwel logo.

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About BPG|360

BPG|360 is a full-service real estate asset and property management company that complements the Buccini/Pollin Group’s (BPG) overall mission to transform the communities they serve, striving to exceed the expectations of every tenant and owner. The company actively manages more than six million square feet of commercial properties in the Maryland-Philadelphia office corridor, which includes properties both in BPG’s portfolio as well as those owned by third-party landlords.

BPG|360 is all about providing best in class customer service to the owners we represent, the tenants we serve, the vendor partnerships we cultivate and the fellow associates we work with every day. The team maximizes the value of its assets with a hands-on, progressive management approach, enhancing financial performance through increased operating efficiency, asset repositioning, and rehabilitation strategies.

About Fitwel and the Center for Active Design

In just three years, Fitwel has become the leading global health certification system, seeing a dramatic uptick in use, with 80% growth in certifications annually. Generated by expert analysis of over 5,600 academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and well-being. Fitwel was created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. General Services Administration. The Center for Active Design, a global not-for-profit organization, was selected as the licensed operator of Fitwel, charged with expanding Fitwel to the global market.

About Evolution Sustainability Group

Evolution Sustainability Group is an award winning, best-in-class energy and sustainability consultancy and design-build energy engineering firm providing the broadest suite of energy and sustainability solutions in the industry today. The Evolution Sustainability Group family of companies specializes in three distinct, yet complimentary offerings aligned to comprehensively meet its customers’ needs across the ever-changing national and global energy and sustainability landscape. These complimentary offerings most notably include:

• Turnkey energy efficiency and renewable energy projects providing strong return on investment (ROI) and immediate net positive cash flow.

• Customized energy and utility strategies including strategic energy purchasing, renewable energy credits, and carbon offset procurement.

• Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy development and sustainable building certification including Energy Star, Fitwell, BREEAM, etc.

Support Local Students in Need: BPG|360 Annual School Supply Drive

The Buccini/Pollin Group, along with affiliates ResideBPG and BPG|360, will host our 5th annual Back to School donation drive to collect desperately needed items for local students. This year BPG has partnered with Network Connect to distribute the supplies to those students most in need in our community.

Please join us in supporting Wilmington’s students by donating to our annual School Supply & Hygiene Drive. If you would like to make a monetary contribution instead, please click here to donate directly to Network Connect who will purchase supplies on your behalf. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Requested Items Include the Following:

• Backpacks

• Pencils Cases / Pouches

• Pencils and Erasers

• Pens (Blue, Black, and Red)

• Notebooks and Paper

• Pocket Folders

• Binders

• Highlighters

• Coloring Materials (Markers, Crayons, and Colored Pencils)

• Glue, Tape, and Staplers

• Rulers

• Post-It Notes

• Scissors and Calculators

• Soap and Deodorant

• Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

• Lotion

• Hair Care

• Feminine Hygiene Supplies

Collection bins will be placed in the lobbies of each of our apartment communities and commercial office buildings in Wilmington, DE (1105 Market, 500 Delaware, Brandywine) as well as at The Chase Fieldhouse. Please place your donations by Tuesday, August 16th, 2022.

BPG|360 Welcomes Two New Associates on Vo-Tech Signing Day

David Alonso signing his letter of intent to join the BPG|360 team upon graduation.

BPG|360 is proud to welcome two new associates to the team from Delcastle Technical High School. Seniors David Alonso and Jayson Biafore will join the organization as Maintenance Technicians upon graduation this upcoming June.

David will join Property Manager Shawn McFerren and his team across the DuPont, Nemours and Brandywine buildings, while Jayson will work under Property Manager Tracy McCausland’s team at the Bellevue and Delaware Corporate Center buildings.

Both in the HVAC career program, David and Jayson completed a co-op internship with BPG|360 during the 2021-2022 school year. They learned the ins and outs of our portfolio while under the guidance of our property management team, setting themselves up for an effortless transition to full-time employment.

Jayson Biafore signing his letter of intent to join the BPG|360 team upon graduation.

Paul Watts, Vice President of Commercial Operations, was honored to present the students with their offer letters on Senior Signing Day held on Thursday, May 5th.

First recognized in 2018 by the New Castle County Vo-Tech School District and Senator Chris Coons, Senior Signing Day celebrates graduates who have been offered jobs by local companies and will be entering the workforce directly after high school. Traditionally highlighting student-athletes, Vo-Tech Signing Day shines a spotlight on the students taking steps to contribute to Delaware’s economic vitality through school-to-work initiatives.

Please join us in congratulating David and Jayson on their graduation and welcome them to the team!

BPG|360 Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive

Help us bring hope to the table this Thanksgiving! In the spirit of giving this holiday season, BPG|360, in partnership with BPG Cares, is hosting our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank of Delaware.

BPG|360 is proud to partner with the Food Bank of DE this giving season to fill their pantry as no person should go hungry. Please join us in our endeavor by donating canned goods and non-perishable food items. Collection bins can be found in the lobby of each of our apartment communities and office buildings in Downtown Wilmington. Critically needed items include foods that are high in fiber, but low in sugar and sodium, such as:

• Hot & Cold Cereals

• Peanut Butter

• Canned Fruits

• Canned Meats

• Canned Vegetables

• Grains – Pasta, Rice, Macaroni & Cheese, etc.

• Healthy Snacks – Granola Bars, Raisins, Crackers

• Dried & Canned Beans

• Canned Gravy

• Stuffing Mix

• Instant Potatoes & Canned Sweet Potatoes

• Beverages – 100% Juice, Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Tea, Evaporated Milk

Can’t drop off a donation? You can also support our virtual food drive by clicking here! It’s set up just like an online shopping experience. The virtual food drive is an easy way to make a difference in our community. With every dollar donated, the Food Bank of Delaware can provide 3 meals to Delawareans in need.

The Food Bank of Delaware relies heavily on local support to provide enough food to serve more than 114,000 Delawareans facing food insecurity. Their mission is to provide nutritious foods to Delawareans in need and facilitate long-term solutions to the problems of hunger and poverty through community education and advocacy.

Please place your donations by Thursday, November 18th. Your continued generosity is greatly appreciated! 

BPG|360 Team Attends BOMA 2021 Conference

At BPG|360, we support and encourage workplace development so that our associates always know the best practices in the industry.

Property Managers Anthony Russo and Tracy McCausland and Vice President of Commercial Operations Paul Watts attended BOMA International's annual commercial real estate conference in Boston, MA October 6th-9th.  This was the first in-person conference since the pandemic started almost two years ago. Read a recap of the conference below and key takeaways from Paul Watts!

The opening session was hosted by Gensler’s Bob Peck, principal and global government and defense practice area leader, and Cheryl Duvall, regional consulting practice area leader.  As we know from personal experience at BPG, researching the future of the workplace is at the core of Gensler’s mission throughout the pandemic globally.  Other educational sessions held throughout the day included topics such as Diversity, Equality and Inclusion as well as Healthy and Safe Building practices such as emerging access control technologies, restroom innovations, elevator safety code updates and new practices for office disinfection.  The highlight of the day was the Keynote Speaker which provided a history-filled keynote from presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin. Her seven hit books include the critically acclaimed Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, which Steven Spielberg adapted for his Oscar-winning film Lincoln.  The majority of her keynote focused on the trials and triumphs of four presidents—Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson—and how their stories hold a special meaning as we continue to face difficult times that include the pandemic, an economic fallout, renewed protest for racial justice and worries about the fragility of our democracy.

Day two of the conference continued with more educational sessions focused on building safety, sustainability initiatives, disaster planning, the future of commercial office, conducting challenging conversations in the work place and cyber security.

Saturday morning was the final day of the conference, which started off with the President and COO of BOMA International hosting a conversational piece focused on drawing people back to the office.  Panelists included Adam Portnoy, president and CEO of The RMR Group; Melanie Colbert, principal of operations at LBA Realty; and Andrew Cooke, senior vice president of operations for the eastern region at Hines. During the 90-minute dialog, the topics focused on experiences are the key to bringing people back to commercial buildings and that the tenant experience has been more important than ever, with robust communication and upping the game on amenities. Outdoor spaces with concert venues were among the items mentioned.  The executives also revealed that their own workforces are back in their offices, and all three echoed that commercial real estate professionals need to be leaders in this area, as other companies in other industries continue to weigh decisions about returning to the office. 

No one truly knows what the office of the future will look like, but interestingly enough, the messages we heard from our commercial real estate peers across the nation align with what BPG’s leadership has believed from the start. The office provides a place to build culture, purpose, character and community, which is invaluable to the success of an organization.

Support Local Students in Need: BPG|360 Annual School Supply Drive

The Buccini/Pollin Group, along with affiliates ResideBPG and BPG|360, will host our 4th annual Back to School donation drive to collect desperately needed items for local students. This year we’ve partnered with Network Connect to distribute the supplies to those students most in need in our community.

After an incredibly difficult year, please join us in supporting Wilmington’s students as they transition back to in-person learning by donating to our annual School Supply & Hygiene Drive. If you would like to make a monetary contribution instead, please click here to donate directly to Network Connect who will purchase supplies on your behalf. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Requested Items Include the Following:

• Backpacks

• Pencils Cases / Pouches

• Pencils and Erasers

• Pens (Blue, Black, and Red)

• Notebooks and Paper

• Pocket Folders

• Binders

• Highlighters

• Coloring Materials (Markers, Crayons, and Colored Pencils)

• Glue, Tape, and Staplers

• Rulers

• Post-It Notes

• Scissors and Calculators

• Soap and Deodorant

• Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

• Lotion and Hair Care Products

• Feminine Hygiene Supplies

Collection bins will be placed in the lobbies of each of our apartment communities and commercial office buildings in Wilmington, DE (1105 Market, 500 Delaware, Brandywine, Nemours). Please place your donations by Monday, August 23, 2021.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Buccini/Pollin Group in Delaware Business: Best Practices for a Modern Workplace

Around this time last year, The Buccini/Pollin Group created their “Back to Work” task force in order to bring their 110 associates back into office in the Brandywine Building in Wilmington, DE as safely as possible. It was all hands on deck to provide the safest policies and daily adjustments in order to make this transition as easy as possible for associates.

“Our design team was tasked with designing and installing [3,000] signs and [300] bottles of hand sanitizer; facilities/property management/HR had to critically think about how best to handle office worker’s usage of the office pantry, the use of meeting space, the appropriate physical protection between work stations, the pedestrian circulation throughout the space; IT led research on the usage of technologies, including the text every employee receives in the morning checking in on their health; our president was personally responsible for figuring out the protocols and most efficient means of testing employees; and most recently HR partnered with a local nonprofit to create learning Pods for associates to have their children attend virtual school from a location near their workplace,” BPG Co-Founder Chris Buccini told Delaware Business, a Delaware State Chamber of Commerce publication, earlier this winter.

All associates returned to their desks in Downtown Wilmington on June 15, 2020. This was an opportunity for the company to stress test their plan, and after nearly a year of implementing these safe practices the Back To Work plan has been successful; they have been fortunate to not have had a single case of COVID-19 contracted from being in the office.

“Being back in the office certainly isn’t easy. We are vigilant about wearing masks, respecting social distancing, and the many protocols that are in place. But our state needs us to get back to work in a safe and reasonable way. We need to keep our local economy going. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on small businesses. Our staying home is destroying the sandwich shop, the dry cleaner, and the shoemaker. So put your mask on, continue to wash your hands, socially distance, and join BPG in getting back to work. Our city, our state, and our small businesses need you. We miss seeing you!”

Download and read the full article here.

To read more about our Back To Work plan, click here.

Support Local Students in Need: Annual BPG|360 School Supply Drive

Although this school year is uncertain, our students still need supplies to succeed, whether from home or the classroom. BPG|360 has joined forces with The Warehouse, a partner of Kingswood Community Center and Reach Riverside, to distribute the supplies to those students most in need in our community.

Please join us in supporting Wilmington’s students during this especially difficult time by donating to our annual School Supply Drive. Collection bins have been placed in the following office buildings in Downtown Wilmington DE: 500 Delaware Ave, Brandywine Building, Nemours Building, and I.M. Pei Building.

If you are working remotely but would like to contribute, please click here to donate directly to The Warehouse who will purchase supplies on your behalf. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Requested Items Include the Following (Click here for a printable list)

• Backpacks

• Pencils Cases / Pouches

• Agendas / Planners

• Pencils and Erasers

• Pens (Blue, Black, and Red)

• Notebooks

• Pocket Folders

• Binders

• Highlighters

• Coloring Materials (Markers, Crayons, and Colored Pencils)

• Glue

• Rulers

• Index Cards

• Scissors

Please place your donations by Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

BPG|360’s Customer Service for 2018

As we close out 2018, we wanted to share some of the statistics we track in our online work order system – Workspeed. Tenants who utilize the Workspeed system receive real time updates on any request for service needed. Whether it be a janitorial need, lights changed or temperatures adjusted, this system is our preferred method of making sure we are on top of all of the office buildings daily needs.

Fun statistic going into the holidays - our property teams have responded to over 14,000 requests for service during the past year. On average, the response rate for initiated request from the tenant entering the information at their desk to final completion by our staff was 12 hours and 32 minutes over our 6 Million square foot office portfolio. This is just one tool that we use continually to evaluate the performance of our property teams and make sure we continually push ourselves to deliver high levels of service to all of the customers we service.

Workspeed is a free service to all of our tenants. If your company is not registered to use the online work order system, please contact your property manager today.

BPG|360 Is Pleased to Introduce I.M. Coffee

I.M. Coffee, a new coffee venue located within the architectural icon, I.M. Pei Building at 1105 North Market Street is now open to the public for business! They are excited to have the opportunity to bring people together over craft coffee and freshly prepared foods. One of their specialties - The Cappuccino: A carefully extracted double shot of espresso with tightly foamed milk steamed just at the right temperature with the ratio of 1-part coffee to 3 parts milk. A must try!

Holiday Events Hosted by BPG|360

The BPG|360 property teams hosted several holiday events for our tenants throughout the month of December. Each property team coordinated individual efforts to provide continental breakfast, afternoon cookies and treats or holiday gift baskets to the many clients we have the privilege to serve throughout the year. On behalf of the BPG|360 team, we wish everyone a wonderful Holiday season!

BPG|360 Team Completes Major Roof Top Replacement Project

The BPG|360 Pennsylvania team along with one of our mechanical contractor partners Mechanical Solutions completed the replacement of 16 roof top air handlers during the weekend of October 20th.  The project was planned to be completed over the weekend to accommodate the building tenants needs and avoid major disruption to their line of business.  Work began Friday afternoon to disconnect all of the units scheduled for replacement.  Saturday morning, all of the old units were removed and the new ones set in place.  Sunday, electric and gas service was hooked up and all units were operational for the start of business Monday morning.

BPG|360 Completes Chiller Replacement Project at Union Meeting Road

Image Source: https://surplusgroup.com/all/used/water-cooled-chillers/200-ton-water-cooled-chiller-4/

The BPG|360 Pennsylvania team and one of our mechanical contractor partners, Johnson Controls recently completed the replacement of two chillers at our Union Meeting Road building.  During this past spring, the original chiller experienced a catastrophic failure that required us to position a portable chiller at the property to maintain cooling for the building while the project was engineered. 

The two new 200 Ton York chillers replaced a set of Carrier units that had operated at the property for 20 years.  The work was scheduled over several months and also included the replacement of the Chilled and Condenser Water Pumps along with the installation of Variable Frequency Drives for improved energy efficiency.  A significant amount of coordination was required and the team led by Maintenance Chief Paul Pashley worked tirelessly to make sure the work appeared to be seamless as possible to the tenants.

BPG|360 Undertakes New Third Party Management

Image Source: http://www.cbhassociates.com/projects/details/the-pilot-school/

In September, BPG|360 entered in to a new management agreement with the Pilot School for facility maintenance assistance.  The services we are offering to the school include engineering and mechanical along with assistance with contract evaluation and bid leveling.  Initially, the school reached out to us for assistance evaluating their mechanical service provider since they were experiencing multiple problems with their HVAC system. 

Once our team engaged and provided an overall analysis of the problems they were facing, we were quickly able to provide a plan of action and path forward.  Over the past two months, we engaged in extensive work to clean the water source loop, including all of the unitary filter strainers, cooling tower, pumps and heat exchanger.  We have not only corrected many of the problems they were experiencing, but also oversaw changes to the automation system to improve energy usage at the property. 

The initial team consisted of SVP of Commercial Operations Ralph Rossi, Director of Operations Paul Watts, Director of Engineering Ed Levering, Chief Engineer Brian Twitchell from Bellevue and Commercial Maintenance Technician Neal McHugh from Delaware Corporate Center.  Neal McHugh will be assigned to the school on a full-time basis moving forward.

BPG|360 Participates in New Castle County Vocational Tech Career Fairs

As a part of our continuing need for qualified, technical associates to enhance our team structure, the BPG|360 team participated in several career fairs at the New Castle County Vocational Technical High Schools to meet with students and discuss our company and needs. 

Statistically nationwide, over 40% of the professionals currently working in the building maintenance industry will retire within the next 5 years. 

By careful planning to be prepared for this major industry change, we look at ways to stay in front of the curve and attract young professionals in the HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical and Information Technology fields to meet future staffing demands.

Comcast Signs 10 Year Lease at 400 Commerce Drive

Comcast has signed a 10-year lease and will move the majority of its Delaware workforce to a call center in 150,000 square feet of office space in Ogletown.

Continue Reading…

Concord Office Plaza is About to Become Mixed-Use

With new construction nearing completion, The Buccini/Pollin Group has rebranded the Concord Plaza office park at 3535 Silverside Road. ResideBPG will manage the residential buildings, and BPGl360 will continue to run the office portfolio.

Continue Reading….

Tenant Appreciation Event

BPG|360 held a tenant appreciation event at their Bellevue office location. Associates working within the stunning office park enjoyed complimentary ice-cream.

Downtown Baltimore Landmark Increases Occupancy More than 20%

One North Charles, a BPG|360 managed property has increased occupancy by 20%. The property, at the corner of Charles and Fayette Streets, was one of downtown Baltimore's first modern high-rise office towers and a key component of the Central Business District's Renaissance.