Ebb Therapeutics is a Pittsburgh-based medical technology company. They developed the first drug-free, technology-based innovation using a device to naturally trigger a neural network response in the brain to treat certain sleep disorders. Ebb is a private company that was funded in part by a grant from the National Institute of Health as well as by private equity.
Ebb Therapeutics was outgrowing its start-up space located in a suburb outside of Pittsburgh when management decided to open its new and expanded headquarters near downtown Pittsburgh. They retained Donahue to find a new location that would be suitable for the headquarters of a world-class medical technology company while providing the environment that would attract and retain the area’s top talent.
GOALS:
- Location preference: Pittsburgh Strip District or northern suburbs
- Other considerations:
- proximity to housing, amenities and cultural activities
- accessibility to employees and for recruiting technology talent
- location near the core of other technology companies
- Building: Must be Class A with an attractive design and provide a creative work environment
- Space: to be designed specifically for Ebb
- Size: 7,500 SF +/- with expansion
- Parking: critical requirement
CHALLENGE:
- Initially focused on 2 separate and altogether different markets
- Determine the best location: City or Suburbs
- Strip District is known as a very active and competitive real estate submarket
- Northern suburbs offered acceptable space but lacked the amenities in the city
OUTCOME:
- Strip District location was selected
- A newly developed building was chosen and lease terms were quickly negotiated by Donahue
- Ebb was pleased with the results of a successful lease negotiation
- Ebb’s office interior design was selected by Pittsburgh Business Times as one of Pittsburgh’s Coolest Office Spaces