Selective Insurance Group Inc. will occupy 122,525 square feet at 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway in Short Hills in conjunction with a building update by Columbia Pacific Advisors LLC. — Rendering courtesy: Cushman & Wakefield
By Joshua Burd
Selective Insurance has leased nearly 123,000 square feet for a new headquarters in the Short Hills section of Millburn, brokers with Cushman & Wakefield said Tuesday.
The company, which will move its front office from Branchville in Sussex County, will occupy the full building at 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway under the long-term deal with Columbia Pacific Advisors LLC, according to a news release. It’s slated to move starting in mid-2026, giving it direct access to the area’s vast highway network and to The Mall at Short Hills, which is across the street, while employees will be minutes from the vibrant downtowns of Summit, Millburn and Chatham.
Cushman’s David DeMatteis, Robert Rudin, Jan Randall and Christina Magill represented Selective Insurance, which said it will maintain a presence at 40 Wantage Ave. in Branchville with some teams staying in place. JLL Executive Managing Director Timothy Greiner, Executive Vice President Dan Ligorner and Senior Vice President Mike Pietrowicz of JLL represented ownership in the 122,525-square-foot transaction.
“We are pleased to have represented Selective Insurance Group, a long-term prominent New Jersey client, in securing this prime and significant office building in a sought-after location,” DeMatteis said.
Columbia Pacific Advisors has committed to a sweeping update of 103 John F. Kennedy Parkway, including the installation of larger windows throughout, new HVAC systems and upgraded electrical switchgear, the news release said. Selective Insurance is partnering with Mancini Duffy to design a workplace environment that reflects modern office standards.
“The lease with Selective Insurance marks a significant milestone in the repositioning of 103 JFK Parkway and validates ownership’s proactive capital improvement program, which has been central to our repositioning effort,” Pietrowicz said. “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.”
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