16 — August 2026 — DelMarVa — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
D el M ar V a
By Tony H. Benson II, CENTURY 21 ® Gold Key Realty Beyond the Transaction: Building communities through vision and relationships
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that strengthen communi - ties. Whether helping families achieve homeownership, work - ing alongside local leaders on neighborhood improvements, or connecting people with re - sources that create long-term value, I have always believed that real estate can serve as a catalyst for positive change. That philosophy extends be - yond individual transactions. My passion lies in economic redevelopment, community revitalization, and helping identify opportunities that benefit both residents and businesses. I have collaborated
with elected officials, commu - nity organizations, nonprofit leaders, and business profes - sionals on initiatives designed to improve neighborhoods, enhance public spaces, and encourage thoughtful investment. One example has been my work supporting efforts to improve parks and recreational spaces. Quality public spaces con - tribute to stronger neighbor - hoods, attract investment, and improve quality of life. When communities invest in public infrastructure, they create environments where families, entrepreneurs, and businesses
are more likely to thrive. Today, my focus continues to expand toward commercial real estate, mixed-use development, and strategic partnerships that encourage sustainable economic growth throughout Delaware. I enjoy working with investors, developers, business owners, municipalities, and community stakeholders who believe successful projects re - quire collaboration, thoughtful planning, and long-term vision. As Delaware continues to grow, we have tremendous op - portunities to reimagine unde - rutilized properties, encourage
DELMAR, MD — Chris Messick , advisor with The McClellan Team at SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate , recently represented the buyer in the acquisition of 8640 Ocean Highway in Del - mar, MD, formerly known as The Truck Store. While the property was suc - cessfully placed under contract, challenges emerged during the due diligence and financ - ing stages that threatened the transaction timeline. As circumstances evolved, the original financing structure was no longer viable, requiring all parties involved to quickly identify alternative solutions. Through collaboration, per - sistence, and a solutions-orient - ed approach, Chris Messick worked closely with the buyer, seller, lenders, and transaction partners to navigate the ob - stacles and keep the acquisition moving forward. Ultimately, a new financing solution was se - cured, allowing the transaction to reach the closing table. MAREJ responsible redevelopment, and create destinations that strengthen local economies while preserving community character. My goal is to con - tinue building meaningful relationships with developers, investors, commercial real es - tate professionals, lenders, ar - chitects, engineers, and public leaders committed to creating lasting value. For me, commercial real estate is about far more than property. It is about creating opportunities that strengthen communities, encourage investment, and leave a lasting legacy. I look forward to partnering with those who share that vision as we continue building a stronger future for Delaware. Tony H. Benson II is a Commercial Real Estate Advisor with CENTURY 21 Gold Key Realty special- izing in economic rede- velopment, development partnerships, investment opportunities, and strategic growth. MAREJ SVN | Miller CRE closes Delmar, MD transaction 8640 Ocean Highway
ommercial real estate has never been just about buildings. At
its best, it is about creat - ing places where people want to live, work, invest, and build their futures. Every suc- cessful proj -
Tony H. Benson II
ect begins with a vision, but it is relationships that transform that vision into lasting impact. Throughout my career, I have been drawn to opportunities
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