JE Dunn Charlotte Office

CHALLENGE. In 2014, JE Dunn, one of the largest construction companies in the U.S., engaged Childress Klein to find and secure new office space for their Charlotte office. For many years JE Dunn’s office had been in a traditional office building in SouthPark, one of Charlotte’s most conservative sub-markets. JE Dunn’s focus on recruiting top talent, many of whom are millennials, drove their geographic focus to more vibrant and up-and-coming areas, with a specific focus on South End.

IMPACT. Over the course of six months, the CK Brokerage team guided JE Dunn on numerous property tours ranging from traditional Class “A” buildings to trendy, off-market redevelopments. Ultimately, JE Dunn leased +/-12,000 square feet at 1616 Center, a brand-new mixed-use development in the heart of South End. 1616 Center, a highly-successful and architecturally unique development in South End, combines historic construction style (exposed ductwork, brick, structural beams, etc.), with elements of modern office buildings: “green” energy-efficient initiatives; shared conference rooms and fitness facilities, rooftop terraces with panoramic views; walking distance to numerous restaurants, housing options, and the Light Rail.

By negotiating several proposals at once and leveraging landlords against each other, our team secured aggressive overall lease economics, including a substantial tenant improvement allowance that allowed for an attractive high-end and collaborative upfit, which has been featured in several publications focused on highlighting excellent workspaces. In addition, we were able to negotiate prominent building signage rights to further enhance JE Dunn’s branding and image.

Childress Klein's unmatched level of service and expert guidance allowed JE Dunn to meet and exceed all of their objectives; and more importantly, strengthen the relationship and trust between CK and JE Dunn.