Real Estate Pro Josh Kurstin says Bell’s Crystal City Site Required Design of Custom Footprint

Home to some of the county’s most well-known defense contractors and corporate clients that boast close ties to Washington, D.C. decision-makers, Crystal City was the perfect fit. Aerospace company Bell, which is known for its military and civilian helicopter, was in the market for a new building in the D.C. metro area. That’s because Bell was developing a new aircraft and knew that being in close proximity to the Pentagon and Capitol building would be essential. Josh Kurstin of commercial real estate company JLL would provide instrumental in finding Bell a larger footprint.

As executive vice president of strategic pursuits for Bell, Jeffrey Schloesser was able to make the most of his three-decade-plus military career as it pertains to where to relocate. Josh Kurstin was actually approached by Bell because “he had been doing consulting work for the company for quite some time.” This gave both parties a better understanding of what was wanted and what was possible. Naturally, Crystal City became a top contender.

Home to more than 20,000 people, Crystal City is a neighborhood in Arlington County that grew roots as more office-type buildings and high rises came to town. Given the fact that Pentagon satellite offices, the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Department of Labor had a footprint here, Bell was a natural fit. The company did have some expectations that needed to be met before relocating, however. These included being close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, boasting easy access to the Metro railway system and overall having a space that would permit exhibition of the company’s aeronautical efforts — including the V-280 Valor.

Another crucial consideration that Josh Kurstin and company had to factor in during the property hunt was confidentiality. Since the Valor project was so closely tied to Pentagon needs, discussing some specifics with other commercial real estate landlords was out of the question. In the end, a favorable lease that allowed for the technology components that Bell wanted was negotiated.

The final product that Bell can boast about in D.C. is perfect for hosting policy makers, military clients and members of the media. For internal matters, the office was designed with conference rooms, perimeter offices, cubicles and communal areas. While such a layout could boost productivity, it also goes to show that Josh Kurstin can help clients design the footprint that most suits them.