News

CORE Appoints Ben Spencer as First Broker Shareholder Ahead of Broader Expansion

CORE, the largest integrated commercial real estate firm in Northern New England, has announced the appointment of Ben Spencer as its first shareholder from within its brokerage team, marking a significant step in the company’s evolution and long-term growth strategy. Since its founding in 2017, CORE has rapidly built a reputation for its full-service platform spanning sales, leasing, acquisitions, and asset management. Spencer joined the firm in 2020 and, over the past several years, has played a key role in its expansion. As Senior Vice President, Spencer has led CORE’s Central Maine office and built a significant portfolio of transactions across the region. “From the beginning, CORE has been built on the idea that the right people, working together, create something far greater than the sum of its parts,” said Josh Soley, President of CORE. “Ben embodies that philosophy. He’s put in the time and consistently delivered for clients and the team. Just as importantly, he’s committed to building his future here. This is an important step as we continue to create opportunities for our brokers to grow with the firm.” “This is a meaningful step for me, both professionally and personally,” said Spencer. “CORE has created an environment where hard work, collaboration, and long-term thinking are genuinely valued. I’m proud of what we’ve built so far and excited to help shape what comes next.” Spencer began his real estate journey at the age of 19 when he purchased his first multifamily apartment complex. He brings significant sales experience from his previous role as Senior Vice President. Before joining CORE, Spencer led the sales team at A-COPI, a commercial copier sales and service company based in Gardiner. His performance earned him recognition as one of New England’s top sales professionals from 2017 to 2020, including achieving President’s Club honors in 2019. Spencer’s appointment comes as CORE prepares for its next phase of growth, including planned geographic expansion, continued investment in its platform, and the introduction of additional shareholder opportunities for high-performing team members. These initiatives will be further highlighted in the coming months alongside the launch of the firm’s new website.

April 7, 2026

CORE Closes Acquisition of Three Old Port Properties

CORE, the largest integrated commercial real estate firm in Northern New England, has completed the acquisition of three prominent Old Port properties located at 363–371 Fore Street, 373–375 Fore Street, and 9–17 Exchange Street. The transactions closed on March 4. The properties were acquired by The Stonecutters LLC (363–371 Fore Street), The Langham LLC (373–375 Fore Street), and Thanos LLC (9–17 Exchange Street). CORE’s brokerage team facilitated the acquisitions on behalf of the purchasing entities. “These are exceptional Old Port properties in one of Portland’s most dynamic districts,” said CORE President Josh Soley. “We’re pleased to have facilitated the acquisitions and to continue working with the ownership groups as we move into the next phase—developing the Fore Street buildings and managing the portfolio to ensure these properties remain vibrant parts of the neighborhood.” The buildings occupy three highly visible locations in the heart of Portland’s Old Port. CORE will lead the development of the two Fore Street properties, guiding thoughtful improvements that respect the historic character of the buildings while preparing them for continued use. CORE’s management division will oversee property management for the portfolio, providing day-to-day operations and long-term stewardship. CORE’s integrated approach handles every aspect of property management in-house, from high-level strategy to the hands-on maintenance that keeps buildings running smoothly.

March 17, 2026

CORE Tenant Profile: Biddeford Coworking

Marc Feldman is known to some people as the "unofficial goodwill ambassador of Biddeford." For over a decade, this enigmatic business leader has been running Biddeford Coworking, one of the most successful coworking spaces in southern Maine. He’s friends with pretty much everyone in the city. You’ll find Biddeford Coworking in Pepperrell Mill, just inside the main entrance at 40 Main Street. It’s a bright space with high ceilings and funky colors. There are all the things you’d expect in an office—desks, plants, and quiet corners for focused work—but there’s also conversation, laughter and the sense that people truly know one another. This sense of community starts with Marc, who has spent more than a decade building a space where people want to come and work. “I engage everybody,” Marc says. “I welcome everybody. The goal is to make people feel like they’re part of the community.” Marc’s path to coworking wasn’t a straight one. Originally from Florida, he moved to Maine in 1984 and opened an Italian restaurant in Kennebunkport. After several years, he transitioned into the wholesale grocery trade, a business he still operates today—from his desk inside the coworking space. “I’ve been a remote worker since 1991,” explains Marc. “I worked out of my house for decades.” But when his children left for college in the early 2010s, Marc realized that it was time to make a change. “You start becoming a basement troll,” he says with a laugh. “You don’t go anywhere, you don’t see people! I realized I needed to get out of the house.” At the same time, the Pepperell Mill campus in Biddeford was beginning to come alive with new businesses and creative energy. Inspired by the growing coworking movement, Marc partnered with a Portland coworking founder to open the original space in 2015. In 2024, he purchased the business outright and rebranded it as Biddeford Coworking. Today, the space is home to a wide range of professionals—from software developers and data scientists to real estate professionals, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and coaches. Many members are remote employees working for companies across the country. “We have people who’ve been members here for nine years,” Marc says. “That says a lot about the relationships people build here.” It’s also a time of new growth in the Pepperell Mill. With new owners CORE-Finard investing in the commercial spaces and a renewed focus on community, Marc is optimistic about the future. “They are really trying to build the mill back into a vibrant center for the town,” he says. “An active community where businesses support each other.” As Biddeford continues to grow and evolve, Marc plans to keep doing what he’s always done: creating a welcoming place where people can come to work and thrive in community. “I didn’t want this to be a place where people just sit in an office,” he says. “People need other people. That’s what makes it work.” Biddeford Coworking, 40 Main St., Suite 13-140, Biddeford, ME

March 16, 2026

The Boulos Company and CORE Acquisitions Announce $4.7M Sale of Two City Center in Downtown Portland

A significant off-market commercial real estate transaction has been completed with the $4.7 million sale of Two City Center, one of downtown Portland’s most recognized and prominent office buildings. The 26,357-square-foot property traded for approximately $178 per square foot. It was acquired by Kliner Industries LLC, Nakatomi Plaza, LLC, Aerotyne International LLC from Two City Center LLC. Gregory W. Boulos of The Boulos Company brokered the transaction, and Josh Soley of CORE facilitated the acquisition on behalf of the buyer. CORE’s property management division will oversee management of the property. Two City Center is one of only 27 Class A office buildings in the State of Maine, according to The Boulos Company’s office outlook. The acquisition was driven by the buyer’s view of Two City Center as a strategically located, high-quality downtown asset. In a market where comparable downtown properties seldom become available, the opportunity to acquire this landmark building through an off-market transaction reflects both its long-term value and the strength of direct relationships involved in bringing the deal to completion. “This was a highly strategic off-market sale,” said Gregory W. Boulos. “Well-located, institutional-quality assets in Portland’s downtown core continue to generate strong interest, particularly when relationships and timing align to create opportunity for both parties.” “Two City Center is a landmark asset,” said Josh Soley of CORE. “Our acquisition division is proud to have helped secure a long-term position for the buyer, and our management team will ensure a smooth transition for the property and its tenants.” The $4.7 million transaction marks another notable chapter for one of Portland’s most recognizable office buildings and reinforces the continued strength of the local commercial real estate market.

March 13, 2026

CORE brokers sale of 14,000 s/f Grace Venue for $1.43 million

By NEREJ CORE negotiated the sale of Grace, a historic church and event venue located at 15 Chestnut St. The $1.43 million transaction closed on January 27, 2026. The buyer, Jedi Temple LLC, was represented by Josh Soley and Frank Carr of CORE. The seller was Boodilly, LLC. The sale was conducted through an auction process, with the winning bid coming in below the property’s appraised value. “We’re excited to help bring Grace into its next chapter,” said Soley, president of CORE. “This is one of Portland’s most distinctive historic structures, and it’s a place many people remember fondly from when it was active and full of life. Tanner will be an excellent steward of the property, and we’re thrilled to see it poised for a new era.” View the full article here.

March 13, 2026

Church-turned-event-venue buyer sees ‘beautiful building that needed a little bit of love’

By Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz The buyer of a church-turned-event-venue in downtown Portland has an eye toward increasing its visibility for weddings and other gatherings. Jedi Temple LLC bought 15 Chestnut St., adjacent to Portland City Hall, from Boodilly LLC for $1.43 million. The buyer was represented by Josh Soley and Frank Carr of CORE. The sale was conducted through an auction process conducted by Tranzon Auction Properties. “This is one of Portland’s most distinctive historic structures, and it’s a place many people remember fondly from when it was active and full of life,” said Josh Soley, CORE’s president. View the full article here.

March 9, 2026

CORE gets healthy return on Belfast investment property

By Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz After acquiring its first investment property in 2022 for $2 million, CORE’s acquisitions division recently sold the Belfast shopping center for $2.8 million, achieving a 28.4% internal rate of return for investors. The Portland brokerage firm, led by Josh Soley, launched its acquisitions division in July 2024 with a goal to reduce the barrier to entry to local investors interested in diversifying their portfolios by entering the commercial real estate market. The division leverages its in-house team of management, development, brokerage, underwriting and risk assessment professionals and aims to offer investors and partners an opportunity to deliver competitive yield and fee structures. View the full article here.

March 6, 2026

CORE Announces Landmark Closing of Acquisition Vehicle

CORE, the largest integrated commercial real estate firm in Northern New England, today announced the groundbreaking success of its first acquisitions vehicle. The firm closed its Kliner Industries acquisition investment vehicle in December 2025 with a 28.4% internal rate of return (IRR). “We’re extremely proud of this outcome for our investors and partners,” said Josh Soley, President of CORE. “When we first launched the CORE Acquisitions division, we knew we were forging new ground in the industry. We were introducing a new institutional model to Maine, bringing in local investors, using local assets, and setting out to deliver outcomes that were simply unheard of in this market. It’s gratifying to have not only hit but surpassed these goals.” CORE’s Acquisitions division officially launched in July 2024. Nimble and opportunistic, it set out to reduce the barrier to entry to a wide array of local investors interested in diversifying their portfolios by entering the commercial real estate market. By leveraging its own in-house team of management, development, brokerage, underwriting, and risk assessment experts, CORE offered investors and partners an innovative opportunity to deliver competitive yield and fee structures. The groundwork for the division had already been laid two years earlier when CORE formed Kliner Industries to acquire 15 Starrett Drive in Belfast, ME, which it purchased on May 4, 2022, for $2 million. The 18,850-square-foot neighborhood shopping center is prominently located at the entrance to Belfast and anchored by Belfast Drug Company. Additional tenants included New China, Sherwin-Williams, Rent-A-Center, Goodwill, and U.S. Cellular. Equity for the project totaled $700,000 and was raised from seven local investors. The acquisition was supported by $1.3 million in debt financing from Bangor Savings Bank, a long-standing CORE lending partner. CORE sold the property on December 19, 2025, for $2.8 million, delivering exceptional results to its investors. The project achieved a 28.4% IRR and a 2.41x equity multiple. Investors received a 10% annual return throughout the hold period, with quarterly distributions beginning immediately following acquisition. Since launching the division, CORE has acquired more than 40 properties. It has raised more than $50 million in total capital, with 90% coming from individual investors and $10 million raised in the past year alone. With its first investment vehicle seeing spectacular results, CORE is now focused on its next investment asset. At disposition, the firm executed a 1031 exchange to strategically defer capital gains taxes from the Belfast property and redeploy the capital toward its next opportunity. CORE’s next asset is a major property in downtown Portland; the official announcement will be shortly forthcoming. Josh Soley first founded CORE in 2017, and by 2026 the company has made more than $1 billion in sales. He is a leader in investment sales and has facilitated high-profile transactions in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, including sales and leases in excess of $750M. In 2024, CoStar honored Josh for the second time as a Power Broker for topping the industry in sales. In 2022, MaineBiz named Josh on their 40 Under 40 list of dynamic individuals changing Maine’s economy.

January 28, 2026

Portland-based CORE expands third-party property management

By Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz CORE, a commercial real estate firm in Portland, said the expansion of its third-party property management division was marked by the addition of several management contracts and team growth throughout 2025. In recent months, CORE assumed property management responsibilities for a diverse and increasingly complex portfolio of commercial and institutional assets, according to a news release. Among the additions was Clarks Pond Shopping Center at 200 Gorham Road in South Portland. The retail center is anchored by national tenants including Rockler and Olive Garden as well as New England brands like B.Good and Shaking Crab. CORE’s role includes oversight of day-to-day operations, tenant relations, financial management and long-term asset performance. “Clients are looking for a partner who understands the full lifecycle of a property — not just operations, but how management decisions impact value over time,” said Josh Soley, the firm’s president. View the full article here.

January 27, 2026