KOP Insiders: Nick Pickard, CCIM, Managing Director of Newmark

KOP Insiders delves into the stories of the people who make King of Prussia one of Pennsylvania’s most dynamic live-work-play-stay destinations.

In depth interviews provide insight into the companies that make up our diverse business community and put a face to the individuals behind the business. In this edition, we are joined by Nick Pickard, CCIM, Managing Director of Newmark.

Thanks for sitting down with us, Nick! Let’s kick things off by learning more about Newmark and your role:

Newmark is a world leading commercial real estate advisor and service provider offering a comprehensive suite of services and products, tailored to each client. Newmark’s integrated platform offers a one-stop-shop solution to clients and all their real estate needs–including brokerage; capital markets’ investment sales and DSF services; landlord and tenant representation; valuation and advisory; property management and consulting advisory, among more.

I am part of Newmark’s industrial occupier services team based in King of Prussia, PA, where I specialize in warehouse leases, working on behalf of landlords and tenants, primarily in Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater Philadelphia suburban markets. I am originally from Kansas City and with Newmark in Kansas City before moving here, so nearly a decade.

Can you explain Newmark’s journey around King of Prussia over the past few years?

Our King of Prussia office is a result of the merger between former Smith Mack Real Estate and Grubb & Ellis Real Estate, which were acquired by Newmark in 2012. Following the merger, the former suburban Grubb & Ellis team relocated to our former office space, conveniently located across from the King of Prussia Town Center on Swedesford Road. The building was subsequently sold, leading us to our offices at the Freedom Business Center, which we maintained up until our move to 1000 Continental, just a few weeks ago. Our new space offers an unmatched working environment, providing access to a suite of on-site amenities including a fitness center, a deli, meeting spaces and covered parking. Despite our proximity to I-76, the abundance of tree coverage creates a serene environment, shielding us from the highway’s hustle and bustle.

You had a lot of options — you could have moved anywhere. Why did you decide to stay in King of Prussia?

The nature of our business requires a substantial amount of time on the road, which is not specific to industrial but rather industry wide. Pairing this, with our office’s unified understanding of the importance of connectivity–1000 Continental’s proximity to I-76, thus other major roadways, was a key factor in our decision making.

Talk to me a little bit about how your positioning here in King of Prussia plays into your company culture and makes people want to come into the office.

It is no secret that it has been difficult to draw people back to the office, on a hybrid or full-time basis. For companies with heavy-office or full-time policies, Class A buildings with an amenitized environment both, on-site and the surrounding area, are a requirement for folks going in every day–a part of why we relocated to 1000 Continental.

In addition to on-site amenities, being located within walking distance or a short transit ride to an area that grants access to simple pleasures in day-to-day life–a grocery store, for example. We also benefit from having a variety of food and beverage options nearby. Our brokerage group regularly goes to Creed’s Seafood and Steaks at the end of the work week for a happy hour. So, there is plenty of new and old-school stuff to satisfy everyone.

Do you have any specific success stories or examples of how operating in King of Prussia has positively impacted your work?

Most people that I transact with, such as landlords and occupiers, consider King of Prussia as a solid central point. You can get to a lot of the people you need, particularly for those the industrial real estate sector, so I’ve never felt overly compelled to be Downtown all the time since many are in the suburbs. Being in King of Prussia allows us face time with those contacts, as well as granting convenient access to the turnpike via I-76, as I frequently travel to Lehigh Valley, Scranton or Hagerstown and the like.

You mentioned Creed’s. What are some of your other favorite spots in King of Prussia?

Kooma is great; I love sushi. Honestly, we spend so much time in and out of Wegmans that is probably our number one go-to. City Works for games and sports bar atmosphere. I have also enjoyed working near the mall, especially with the holiday season being just around the corner–lessens the frequency of our weekend trips.

What do you see as King of Prussia’s selling points?

There is an abundance of great restaurants, bars and retail destinations here–enough to satisfy anything you may want or need on any given day. It feels like its own small world, which is especially nice as you don’t have to make a bunch of trips to complete the day’s errands.

What is your favorite part of the new office?

Certainly the additional light and openness, since our former office was a short-term space that had not been updated in some time. We are excited to have everyone in a space that provides more visibility and a modern aesthetic, which truly makes all the difference. There are no boxes that this building has not already checked.

The floor is yours. Is there anything else you want to say about Newmark or your experience working in King of Prussia?

I think our office brokerage team did a really nice job in selecting a great office for us. When we finalized our decision to move offices, the office majority were unified by the preference to maintain our King of Prussia footprint. When push came to shove, we were delighted to have achieved this and look forward to maintaining our tenancy in the King of Prussia market for some time to come.

About Newmark King of Prussia

Newmark’s King of Prussia office offers a wide array of services, including leasing and sales of commercial office and industrial spaces, multifamily and capital markets, debt and structured finance, consultancy, valuation and advisory services, project management, and property management. Our office is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of each client and has built lasting relationships with clients across various industries.

Newmark King of Prussia
1000 Continental Drive, Suite 200
King of Prussia, PA 19406
nmrk.com