EqualSpace Announces ES17, Newark’s First Social Justice & Creative Campus New flagship campus at 17 Academy Street expands Newark’s innovation ecosystem through entrepreneurship, creativity, culture, and community. NEWARK, N.J. — August 27th, 2026 — EqualSpace, Newark’s pioneering equity-centered workspace and entrepreneurial ecosystem, today announced the opening of ES17, its newest campus located at 17 Academy Street, in partnership with Newark real estate investment firm Paramount Assets, owner of the historic building.

Situated in the heart of Downtown Newark’s Four Corners Historic District — steps from NJPAC, the Newark Museum of Art, Rutgers–Newark, and the Halsey Street corridor — ES17 represents a new model for community-centered development. More than a coworking space, the campus has been intentionally designed as a destination where entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, artists, educators, creatives, and social justice organizations come together to collaborate, innovate, and build lasting economic opportunity.

The opening marks another milestone in EqualSpace’s decade-plus journey of transforming underutilized real estate into thriving centers of entrepreneurship and community impact throughout Newark.

“EqualSpace has never been about desks or offices. It’s about creating places where people who have historically been excluded from opportunity can build businesses, movements, careers, and generational wealth. ES17 is our invitation to Newark’s next generation of changemakers to join a community committed to building a more equitable future.”
— Citi Medina, Founder & CEO, EqualSpace

A NEW ANCHOR FOR DOWNTOWN NEWARK

Developed in partnership with Paramount Assets, ES17 establishes EqualSpace as an anchor institution within the corridor, contributing to the continued revitalization of downtown Newark. Built in 1926 and known for nearly a century as part of the city’s business community, the 12-story Academy Building has been reimagined across its 7th and 8th floors as EqualSpace’s flagship Social Justice & Creative Campus — more than 16,000 square feet of shared space. The campus includes private offices and headquarters suites, flexible coworking, meeting rooms, multimedia studios, wellness spaces, community lounges, and a dedicated event venue.

Programming at ES17 will include The Blueprint, Newark Tech & Small Business Week, Open SPACE, founder accelerators, leadership forums, public conversations, exhibitions, and community events.

BUILDING ON A DECADE OF IMPACT

Founded in 2015, EqualSpace has become one of New Jersey’s leading entrepreneurial platforms, supporting
thousands of entrepreneurs through accessible workspace, educational programming, and ecosystem development.
Today EqualSpace operates two campuses throughout Newark — ES17 and ES550 — serving entrepreneurs,
nonprofits, technology startups, creative businesses, corporate innovation teams, and community organizations.

PARTNERSHIP WITH PARAMOUNT ASSETS

The opening of ES17 reflects a shared commitment between EqualSpace and Paramount Assets — the family-owned,
Newark-based real estate investment firm that acquired 17 Academy Street and maintains a growing portfolio
throughout the Four Corners Historic District — to invest in Newark’s future through thoughtful, communitycentered
development.

“The addition of Citi-Medina and Equalspace is transformative for both the Academy Building and the
surrounding neighborhood. Their vision, energy, and commitment to fostering innovation and
entrepreneurship perfectly align with our mission of creating vibrant, mixed-use destinations that
drive economic growth and strengthen Newark’s position as one of the region’s premier centers for
business, education, and the arts. We are honored to have them as a cornerstone of this historic
property.”
— Richard Dunn, Senior Vice President, Paramount Assets

EqualSpace has partnered with organizations including Audible, Prudential, Panasonic, Seton Hall University,
Rutgers University, NJIT, United Airlines, and Bloomberg Connects — among many others committed to
advancing equitable economic development.
EqualSpace · ES17 Social Justice & Creative Campus · equalspace.co · page 3

ABOUT EQUALSPACE

EqualSpace is an equity-centered workspace and entrepreneurial ecosystem headquartered in Newark, New Jersey.
Since 2015, EqualSpace has helped thousands of entrepreneurs, nonprofits, creatives, and innovators access the
space, relationships, and resources needed to grow sustainable organizations and build generational wealth.
Through thoughtfully designed campuses, immersive programming, and strategic partnerships, EqualSpace creates
places where business growth and community impact happen together. Learn more at equalspace.co.

ABOUT PARAMOUNT ASSETS

Paramount Assets is a family-owned, full-service real estate investment firm specializing in urban property
ownership, management, and development. Founded in 1978 and based in Newark, New Jersey, the firm’s
portfolio includes more than 3 million square feet of commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use holdings across 25
New Jersey municipalities, with a growing footprint in Newark’s Four Corners Historic District. Paramount
maintains a vertically integrated approach with in-house acquisition, leasing, legal, accounting, property
management, and construction teams. Learn more at paramountassets.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
Dehra Northover · dehra@equalspace.co · (973) 868- 8412