(Feb. 2, 2022 – New York City) – OPEN Impact Real Estate LLC (OPEN) and Transwestern announce that they represented Graham Windham, a family and youth success agency founded by Isabella Graham and Eliza Hamilton more than 200 years ago, in a new 15,000-square-foot lease at 195 Montague St. in downtown Brooklyn. Stephen Powers and Lindsay Ornstein, founders of OPEN, and Arthur Skelskie, executive managing director, and senior associates Alexander Smith and Ginny Durfee at Transwestern Real Estate Services jointly represented Graham Windham in the transaction.
The new location on the eighth floor of 195 Montague St. is being completely renovated to Graham Windham’s specifications, to create a modern, open and welcoming atmosphere for staff, youth and families. The space is designed to incorporate the need for touch down space for citywide employees, video enabled remote work strategies, and programs specifically designed to service local and borough-wide communities.
“We learned a lot about how to work effectively during this COVID era and our new location will help us provide a higher level of service to our clients in space that’s specifically designed to meet their needs, as well as support our valued staff,” said Kym Hardy Watson, president and CEO of Graham Windham. “Our offices all incorporate design and décor features that intentionally mimimize the effects of trauma and toxic stress that affect so many of our clients.”
Rather than a one-off transaction, the lease is part of a strategic real estate portfolio realignment that the OPEN and Transwestern team has executed on behalf of the agency, to maximize efficiencies, reduce expense, and support Graham Windham’s mission. The cluster of three spaces totalling almost 40,000 square feet in downtown Brooklyn optimizes their administrarive headquarters in close proximity to purpose-built program spaces to allow for future flexibility. The team conducted traffic and transportation analyses, investigated own versus lease options, and reviewed numerous location opportunities before executing the 15-year lease at 195 Montague St.
The 195 Montague St. office will create a hub of activity with Graham Windham’s other two nearby downtown Brooklyn locations at 25 Chapel St. and 1 Pierrepont Plaza. Part of the strategic planning, the hub of offices will enable greater efficiency among staff, allow flexibility for personnel to plug-in and work in each location, and support the agency’s return-to-office plans and work from home schedules.
“We are thrilled to have helped Graham Windham secure this new facility to help them effectively deliver on mission and provide critical services to this community,” said Powers. “We were able to secure sustainable economics in a new purpose built space with a landlord who values strong nonprofit tenants.”
Located proximate to multiple subway and bus lines, 195 Montague St. offers excellent accessibility to Graham Windham’s clients and staff. The agency anticipates moving into the new office in summer 2022.
Building ownership, The Leser Group, was represented internally on the transaction. The project team on the buildout includes WXY Architecture + Urban Design and project managers About The Work.
About Graham Windham
Graham Windham has been supporting youth and families in New York City since its founding in 1806 by Isabella Graham and a group of progressive women including Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. Today, Graham focuses on youth and family success at 12 community-based sites in Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx for over 4,500 children and their families every year. Graham provides community centers, after-school programs, mental and behavioral health services, education and career coaching, internships, a range of parenting supports; and when necessary, foster care and adoption services. For more information, please visit www.graham-windham.org or follow us on social media.
About OPEN Impact Real Estate LLC
OPEN Impact Real Estate (OPEN) is a woman-owned business that delivers a comprehensive range of commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services, with a focus on supporting social-minded, mission-driven organizations. Based in New York City, OPEN serves clients across the United States, particularly those that value the benefits of working with an M/WBE with deep expertise in furthering mission through physical space. OPEN is an affiliate of Transwestern Real Estate Services. For more information, please visit www.openregroup.
About Transwestern Real Estate Services
Transwestern Real Estate Services (TRS) adds value for investors, owners and occupiers of all commercial property types through a comprehensive perspective and by providing solutions grounded in sound market intelligence. Part of the Transwestern companies, the firm applies a consultative approach to Agency Leasing, Asset Services, Tenant Advisory + Workplace Solutions, Capital Markets, and Research & Investment Analytics.
The privately held Transwestern companies have been delivering a higher level of personalized service and innovative real estate solutions since 1978. Through an integrated, customized approach that begins with good ideas, the firm drives value for clients across commercial real estate services, development, and investment management. Operating from 33 U.S. offices, Transwestern extends its platform capabilities globally through strategic alliance partners whose unique geographic, cultural, and business expertise fuels creative solutions. Learn more at transwestern.com and @Transwestern.
