FNB Financial Center Grand Opening: Setting A New Standard

Buccini Pollin Group (BPG) joined F.N.B. Corporation, PA Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and other partners on February 18, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of FNB Financial Center in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District. Chris Buccini, Founder of BPG, attended the event to congratulate F.N.B. Corporation and acknowledge the partners’ dedication to bringing this vision to life. Despite challenges during COVID-19, BPG successfully delivered the LEED Gold-certified tower through a strategic partnership with F.N.B. Corporation, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Clay Cove Capital, and multiple public institutions. This development strengthens the revitalization of the Greater Hill District and fosters economic growth across the region.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized FNB Financial Center’s economic impact in a video message played at the event. “We want Pennsylvania to be the best state in the nation to start and grow your business… The grand opening of FNB Financial Center is a signal of our competitiveness. It will bring more people and more opportunity to the Lower Hill District. And combined with our unprecedented investment in the Golden Triangle, it’s the start of a new day for Pittsburgh.”

State-of-the-Art Space

FNB Financial Center stands on the former Pittsburgh Civic Arena site and serves as the anchor for a 28-acre, $1 billion Lower Hill redevelopment, a project nearly two decades in the making. The 26-story tower reshapes Pittsburgh’s skyline and is one of the first multi-tenant office buildings constructed downtown in 40 years. As Pennsylvania’s first LEED Gold for Neighborhood Design district, the project sets a new benchmark for sustainable urban development.

The 550,000-square-foot building is home to F.N.B. Corporation, GH Advertising, Cohen Seglias law firm, and BDO accounting firm. Designed to foster collaboration and innovation, the tower features state-of-the-art office spaces that encourage teamwork, a premier fitness center with Technogym equipment, and a large-scale conference center equipped with advanced teleconferencing capabilities. A modern tenant lounge provides a space for networking and informal gatherings, while a private outdoor terrace offers panoramic views of Pittsburgh. Strategically located with multiple public transit options, the building also promotes an active work environment with dedicated bike storage and on-site showers for cyclists.

Significant Community Impact

BPG followed the Community Collaboration and Implementation Plan (CCIP) to drive inclusive opportunities and reinvest in the local community. Before breaking ground in 2021, the FNB Financial Center project team secured over $7 million in capitalized LERTA real estate tax abatements for a community-directed reinvestment fund. Development partners also contributed $3 million to support minority-owned businesses and the Hill District Federal Credit Union.

During construction and design, the project allocated $50 million to minority- and women-owned businesses, ensuring that economic opportunities extended beyond the development itself. The construction workforce included 20% minorities and women, reinforcing a strong commitment to inclusive contracting and workforce development. These initiatives positioned FNB Financial Center as a national leader in equitable development and community reinvestment, setting a new benchmark for projects across the country. The CCIP laid the foundation for a groundbreaking model in equitable urban redevelopment, establishing FNB Financial Center as a transformative project for Pittsburgh and beyond.

Images courtesy of F.N.B. Corporation and Jim Harris/PBT

For more information on leasing office space in the new FNB Financial Center contact BPG|360 today!

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.

###

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.

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: 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!

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…

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.