In a competitive office landscape where thoughtful execution makes the difference, the successful lease-up of a large Birmingham office park is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when strategy meets experience. Matt Gilchrist and Dan Lovell of Graham & Company led the charge, transforming a well-positioned, underutilized asset into a thriving hub for professional tenants. Their results weren’t driven by a hot market, they were earned through fundamentals, focus, and follow-through.
Here’s how they did it — and what it means for Birmingham’s office landscape.
Repositioning a Strong Asset for Today’s Market
When Matt and Dan stepped in, the park was anchored by Wells Fargo, which occupied 50% of the total space. With strong infrastructure and an ideal location, the park had always offered potential, but there was a clear opportunity to better align its strengths with the evolving needs of today’s office users.
“From day one, we knew this was a repositioning play — not just a lease-up,” said Gilchrist. “We had to reframe how the market viewed the park to unlock its full value.”
Built originally as a single-tenant operations center, the park had never been marketed as a multi-tenant destination. That changed quickly. With collaboration from a forward-thinking ownership team, Matt and Dan brought a fresh perspective, repositioning the asset with a compelling message for modern users.
Creative Leasing Backed by Fundamentals
The team moved swiftly to match strategy with execution. Working closely with ownership, they:
- Crafted lease structures that adapted to the growth trajectories of prospective tenants
- Provided early occupancy options for firms with accelerated timelines
- Recommended modest, targeted improvements that directly enhanced lease appeal
“We weren’t selling flash,” said Dan Lovell, SIOR, LEED AP. “We were leasing real solutions, backed by decades of local experience.”
Targeted Outreach, Operator’s Mentality
Rather than casting a wide net, Matt and Dan took a focused, tactical approach:
- Identifying ideal tenant types — from regional offices to engineering and service firms — that needed efficient, functional space in a location with superior access
- Reworking the property’s story to emphasize its strengths: ease of access, responsive management, and readiness for immediate occupancy
- Tapping into deep market relationships to surface opportunities beyond the active tour circuit
The Result: A 98% Leased Park with Renewed Energy
Today, the park is home to a diverse, stable tenant mix and sits at 98% occupancy. The transformation has not only stabilized the asset, it’s given it new life in the Birmingham office narrative.
“This wasn’t a flashy win,” said Gilchrist. “It was a fundamentals-first, block-and-tackle leasing effort. That’s what moved the needle.”
A Broader Signal for Birmingham’s Office Market
This success highlights an important trend: the flight to quality continues in Birmingham. Class-A buildings can have the right location and layout. The real magic is having an outstanding ownership group and an experienced leasing team.
Final Word
At Graham & Company, we don’t just lease space — we rethink potential. Matt and Dan’s approach to this project showcases what happens when brokers operate with an asset manager’s mindset and a tenant’s perspective. It’s strategic execution at its best — and a model for how Birmingham’s office market continues to evolve.
See More From Dan and Matt:
500 Mountain Brook Office Park
The building boasts a modern conference room, newly remodeled restrooms, and an abundance of free surface parking for tenants and visitors. Situated in the City of Mountain Brook, tenants will benefit from the absence of city occupational taxes.
1800 International Park
The class-A Office Building located near the Cahaba River just off of Rocky Ridge Road. This office campus sits nestled in the woods next to Cahaba Lake and features natural walking trails complete with picnic tables.
