Monday, March 22, 2010

Casey Ciklin Law Firm Signs 11-Year Lease at Northbridge Center in West Palm Beach, FL



WEST PALM BEACH, FL – After weighing several market options, the law firm of Casey Ciklin Lubitz Martens & O'Connell will continue to occupy two floors in Northbridge Centre (above centered photo)  in downtown West Palm Beach. The 11-year lease opens the door for the original tenant to use a "plug 'n' play" opportunity to reconfigure longtime headquarters space.

The 32-attorney firm is gaining space efficiencies with the 24,054-sf lease at 515 N. Flagler Dr., where the availability of the 20th floor is being touted as a chief dealmaker for Northbridge Centre's owner, Gaedeke Group LLC of Dallas. For 25 years, the law firm has occupied floors 18 and 19 as part of its lease in the 21-story, class A office building.

The firm's partners have spent nearly two years exploring options, including development. "The availability of the 20th floor changed the dynamics," said Alan Ciklin, managing partner  of the firm, which is marking its 25th anniversary. "It was already built out as law firm space. It worked for us, with very few renovations, and will be an easy move." The perks included high-end furniture that the former tenant left behind.

"We are glad that Casey Ciklin decided to renew," said Kirk Fetter (middle right photo) , Gaedeke vice president, who acknowledged that four other building owners were vying for the prestigious tenant.

 Casey Ciklin Lubitz Martens & O'Connell historically has been one of the largest tenants at Northbridge Centre, a favored office location for law firms because it is one block from the Palm Beach County Judicial Center complex. The lease was set to expire at year's end.

Ciklin cited the partners' longtime association with the building and its location as weighing heavily on the decision. "At the end of the day, we decided to stay. This deal was the best," he said. The tenant representative was Greg Katz in Studley's Miami office.

As Gaedeke celebrates the renewal, the owner has marked two more milestones at the 288,131-sf Northbridge Centre. On Tuesday, Gaedeke's Northbridge Centre will be accorded its second consecutive Energy Star® award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Northbridge Centre attained a score of 91 out of a possible 100. Adding to its dynamics, Northbridge Centre has advanced to the Building Owners and Managers Association International's annual "Building of the Year" competition.

The BOMA of Ft. Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches chapter last fall bestowed a regional TOBY on the high rise in the 250,000-sf to 499,000-sf category.

"We strive to exceed tenants' expectations, each and every day," said Bertie L. Russo, Northbridge Centre's property manager. "These awards validate our commitment to our building and our tenants."

Gaedeke Group, founded in 1995, is a full-service real estate firm that provides investment, acquisition, management, leasing construction management and portfolio management services.

Headquartered in Dallas, Gaedeke's current portfolio encompasses three million square feet of class A office properties in Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, D.C. and Germany.

Contact: Kirk Fetter, 561-515-7407

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