Eric Panecki (left) and David Choi, co-founders of Leverage Cos., welcomed hundreds of guests on July 31 to the firm’s new 15,000-square-foot headquarters at 50 Park Place in Newark. — Courtesy: Leverage Cos.
By Joshua Burd
Leverage Cos. has a new home in Newark, where it was founded just six years ago, marking another milestone for the fast-growing real estate and financial services firm.
The company, which has more than 80 employees across multiple divisions, welcomed more than 350 guests late last month as it unveiled a 15,000-square-foot headquarters that includes a sales floor, private offices and operational departments. That space is now open at the historic Robert Treat Hotel, at 50 Park Place, supporting the firm’s continued growth in real estate management, lending, education and community development.
Those on hand included civic leaders, investors and community members.
“Thank you to all of our amazing friends, partners and investors who came to celebrate with us,” Eric Panecki and David Choi, cofounders of Leverage Cos., said in a joint statement. “It’s amazing to officially put down roots in the greatest city on earth: Newark, New Jersey.”
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The debut of the company’s long-term home follows its founding in 2019 as what it described as a grassroots real estate investment firm. It’s now a multifaceted enterprise with national reach, with divisions including:
- Leverage Homes, which manages more than $60 million in real estate assets
- Brick City Capital, its commercial lending arm, which it described as the fastest-growing debt service coverage ratio lender in the nation and one that was ranked No. 7 nationally by Scotsman Guide
- Leverage Media, a platform focused on real estate education that has amassed more than 200 million views on social media since 2024
- Leverage Cares, the company’s philanthropic branch, which partners with local churches and charities to support Newark families with free financial literacy events and relief initiatives
The firm added that it has provided more than 35 internship and employment opportunities at Rutgers Business School, where Choi studied real estate finance. It has also played a key role in launching the school’s Real Estate Society.
Attendees at the July 31 ribbon-cutting ceremony included Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, U.S. Rep. Lamonica McIver and city council members Louise Scott-Rountree, Dupre L. Kelly and C. Lawrence Crump, all of whom recognized Leverage’s contributions to the city.
“We congratulate Leverage Companies for all they have achieved, but surely its best days are ahead,” Scott-Rountree said.
Following the opening remarks, guests gathered in the New York Ballroom of the Robert Treat Hotel for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration.
“The opening of these offices as our official headquarters is a testament to our commitment to the beautiful city of Newark and our mission to create millionaires through real estate,” Panecki said.
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