Construction software company in Exton opens a new office in Philadelphia.

Bentley Systems International, a software company recognized as the highest in market capitalization within the Philadelphia area, has officially opened a new office in Center City. This facility, to be stationed in the Curtis Center, will serve as a central hub for 150 engineers and various tech and business personnel, replacing two smaller offices previously located in the city.

The new 22,000-square-foot location signifies Bentley’s commitment to expanding its presence in Philadelphia, an urban environment historically significant to the tech and computing sectors. The Center City office emerges as a replacement for the company’s 14-year-old location on Cherry Street, as well as the former headquarters of Cesium GS Inc., a visualization technology company Bentley acquired in 2024. The new office, situated at the intersection of Sixth and Walnut Streets, will be helmed by Patrick Cozzi, who formerly served as the founder and CEO of Cesium and is now Bentley’s chief platform officer.

Founded by five brothers in Delaware in 1984, Bentley has reported sales of .5 billion in the previous year. The company specializes in construction design and software solutions, notably guiding infrastructure projects through its advanced mapping platform, Cesium Ion, which is utilized by clients to present complex site and building details. Cozzi, a Penn State graduate with a master’s from the University of Pennsylvania, views Philadelphia as an appealing locale for tech developments, emphasizing its affordability and high quality of life.

Despite a history of technological innovation dating back to the creation of early computing systems like ENIAC in Philadelphia, by the 1970s, much of the industry transitioned towards more efficient silicon-based technologies centralized in California’s Silicon Valley. In recent years, cities such as Boston, Seattle, and Austin have also risen as major tech hubs, leaving Philadelphia, once a strong contender, with fewer large tech institutions.

Cozzi remains optimistic about Philadelphia’s potential, citing its reasonable living costs and excellent educational institutions as key factors that attract tech talents. His perspective is shared by others in the industry looking at Philadelphia as an upcoming tech destination, though he notes no financial incentives were offered by the city or state for establishing the new office.

Bentley’s opening event included local dignitaries and clients from various sectors, showcasing a collaborative spirit in the renewed Philadelphia tech landscape. Currently, Bentley employs over 5,000 professionals across 42 countries and boasts a valuation nearing billion on the Nasdaq—a stature that positions it ahead of regional competitors in the software domain. The Curtis Center, originally established in 1910 for Curtis Publishing, has undergone significant redevelopment under Keystone Development + Investment, adding residential and specialized facilities in recent years to revitalize the complex.

As Bentley continues to grow within this historic framework, the company symbolizes a broader renaissance of technology in Philadelphia—a city poised to reclaim its place at the forefront of tech innovation.