When your bread and butter is 21st century twin-engine tiltrotor aircraft, an expansive footprint is going to be a prerequisite. This is exactly why Bell – famous for its military and civilian helicopters in the U.S. – sought out real estate services firm JLL. In the end, Bell would move into a part of the Crystal City neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia that was a perfect fit for its very specific needs. Josh Kurstin, of JLL, would play a crucial role in getting the aerospace company into its new 22,000-square-foot digs. It’s an example of what Josh Kurstin is capable of in his professional role, but it’s also a testament to the lengths JLL project management teams will go to when searching for the right footprint.
According to previous reports, retired U.S. Army Major General Jeffrey Schloesser — who is now Bell’s executive vice president of strategic pursuits — wanted a building that would put the needs of its V-280 Valor front and center. The fact that the new office would be within eyeshot of both the Pentagon and Capitol building didn’t hurt, either. The impetus, according to Josh Kurstin, was the fact that Bell wanted a presence within the Washington, D.C. market. Schloesser, whose military experience spans three decades, had an idea of what the V-280 needed to be capable of: “a new way to move troops on a modern battlefield where speed and range are critical.” Moreover, Bell would need to be near the Pentagon. It also wanted to easy access to trains, a space that could showcase Bell’s work as a design and engineering firm as well as being close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
As the V-280 is a military project, the confidentiality that came with the project shouldn’t come as a surprise. It was the responsibility of Josh Kurstin, Greg Martinez and Michael Blyumin to respect Bell’s desire in that regard as they shopped around for the right space. As a testament to professionalism and skill, the trio landed a 22,000-square-foot site for Bell and its aerospace machinery. The Crystal City site offers visitors a V-280 simulator and interactive mission board as well as a display board that makes communication with military clients, media and D.C. policy-makers easier than ever. Beyond the helicopter-specific needs, the building identified by Josh Kurstin and team also included offices, cubicles, communal areas and conference rooms. While those are requirements that commercial real estate companies receive a bit more often, Bell presented a change of pace and JLL’s team was able to satisfy a client with one-off needs.
