Selective Insurance announced last week it will transition its headquarters to Short Hills beginning in 2026.
The insurance company will make the move from Branchville in Sussex County following a new lease for 122,525 square feet at 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway.
After representing Selective Insurance in the transaction, Cushman & Wakefield announced the long-term deal Oct. 14. JLL serves as exclusive agent for the property and represented the landlord, Columbia Pacific Advisors LLC.
When JLL came on board in 2024, the four-story, former home of Dun & Bradstreet was vacant. For Selective, the new Essex County location offers an accessible site in a key transportation hub. It also puts the business near outside amenities. Summit, Millburn and Chatham’s downtowns are nearby. Plus, the property features a spot directly across from The Mall at Short Hills.
The new tenant revealed the move on LinkedIn. In its post, Selective Insurance noted the new office “offers convenient access from across the Northeast Corridor states and a modern, collaborative workspace designed to support flexible workstyle and employee well-being.”
The notions tap into larger trends in the office sector to upgrade spaces in the interest of employee experience, along with retention and recruiting.
Selective Insurance enlisted Mancini Duffy to design its new workspace.
Meanwhile, Columbia Pacific Advisors has also committed to a comprehensive modernization of 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway. Recent upgrades include the installation of larger windows, new HVAC systems and updated electrical switchgear.
‘Prime’ real estate
Cushman & Wakefield Executive Managing Director David DeMatteis, Vice Chair Robert Rudin, Director Jan Randall and Senior Brokerage Specialist Christina Magill represented Selective Insurance.
In a statement, DeMatteis described the property as a “prime and significant office building in a sought-after location.”
Executive Managing Director Tim Greiner, Executive Vice President Dan Ligorner and Senior Vice President Mike Pietrowicz lead the JLL team at 103 JFK Parkway.
Pietrowicz characterized the deal as a “significant milestone” in the building’s repositioning.
“Partnering with Mancini Duffy enabled us to showcase the opportunity to customize the space for a single user seeking a modern, flexible environment. This transaction underscores the effectiveness of that coordinated approach and sends a signal to the market that well-capitalized ownership, customized design, and strategic location can still drive confidence in the suburban office sector,” he said.
