How Commercial Brokers International Helped a German Lighting Icon Find Its American Home in Culver City
How Commercial Brokers International Helped a German Lighting Icon Find Its American Home in Culver City
By Joe Killinger, Partner of Commercial Brokers International
ERCO is a leading international specialist in efficient architectural lighting with LED technology. Family-owned and based in Lüdenscheid, Germany, ERCO operates with independent sales and partner organizations in around 55 countries. They are also the official lighting partner of Art Basel.
Founded in 1934, ERCO pioneered architectural lighting across Europe in the 1960s. In 2015, it became the first established luminaire manufacturer with a portfolio based entirely on LED technology.
The company now operates through over 60 subsidiaries, branches, and agencies globally, including in major markets such as the United States, China, the Middle East, and South America.
Beginning the Search for ERCO’s U.S. Office
In 2018, ERCO reached out to Commercial Brokers International to find an office for its new U.S. team.
The company wasn’t certain about the exact location, but it knew that easy access to Los Angeles International Airport was a priority. Most of its current employees lived in West Los Angeles and the Mid-City area, so our team searched for locations that would be close to the airport while remaining easily accessible for employees—especially since drive times in Los Angeles can be challenging.
After considering the distance to LAX, CBI and ERCO decided to focus the search on Culver City. This also presented a strong business advantage, as Culver City has one of the lowest business tax rates in Los Angeles County.
Finding a Space That Matched ERCO’s Vision
The ERCO team had a clear vision for the type of office it wanted. However, that vision did not initially align with the properties available on the market.
We identified properties that fit the client’s desired design, narrowed the search to several options, and began contacting property owners to determine whether any vacancies would be coming up.
It took several calls to receive responses, but after some gentle and persistent outreach, we heard back from a couple of property owners.
Helping the Client See the Possibilities
When showing properties that still have tenants occupying them, it is important to prepare the client to envision the space differently and picture how its own office furniture, design, and operations could fit within it.
We were fortunate to have a creative and collaborative team. After several showings, we were able to secure the location for ERCO’s first U.S. office.
A Successful Culver City Placement
We were very fortunate to work with such an incredible group that knew exactly what it was looking for. Combined with agents who considered all the details involved in office site selection, we were able to find the perfect location.
That clarity and collaboration definitely made the process much easier.
Looking for the Right Office Space?
If you’re looking for office space but are unsure about some of the intangibles involved in site selection, we would be happy to help you navigate the process.
To learn more, please contact Commercial Brokers International at info@cbicommercial.com.