The Pearl Street Advantage
Execution matters. Anyone can design a project—but very few can deliver at scale, on time, and on budget. Pearl Street achieves this consistently through:
- In-House Expertise: A dedicated team of 40+ engineers, designers, and project managers.
- Direct Manufacturer Relationships: Securing better pricing and faster delivery times.
- Proven Track Record: Millions of square feet successfully upgraded.
- Utility Program Leaders: Deep, navigational experience with PSEG, Con Edison, and NYPA.
- Full Control: Single-source accountability from initial concept to final completion.
Pearl Street Systems was formed in 2011 with a singular focus: upgrading existing lighting systems to LED technology and integrating them with advanced controls systems. Unlike traditional fluorescent and HID lighting, LED technology introduced the ability to be cycled on and off continuously and dimmed smoothly — unlocking significant energy savings, operational flexibility, and enhanced controls functionality. We recognized early on that LED technology was far more than a passing trend; it represented a fundamental shift that would permanently transform the lighting industry. Since those early days, Pearl Street has remained a clear leader in the application of LED lighting and advanced control systems. Today, with a dedicated staff of over 40 professionals, we touch more than 4 million lighting fixtures annually across our design and technical services, turnkey retrofits, and equipment sales. no other company operating at this scale maintains the intense technical depth, precise project coordination, and flawless field execution that Pearl Street delivers every single day. The numbers speak for themselves, and our customers agree!
Continuous Evolution & Proven Value: Pearl Street has grown from our humble beginnings of retrofitting small quantities of fixtures with $30 4-foot linear LED lamps, to executing massive-scale projects utilizing thousands of highly efficient, reliable $5 lamps. Yet, our core philosophy remains exactly the same: we approach every project with a detailed, highly technical mindset.
Over the past decade and a half, we have helped shape the evolution of LED and lighting control technologies for all of our customers. From fixture performance and controls integration to energy code compliance and long-term system maintainability, we continuously adapt our designs to leverage proven, cutting-edge advancements that create lasting value for our clients.
We Actually Listen. Really.
In an industry often driven by aggressive sales tactics and generic proposals, Pearl Street takes a completely different approach. We start with a simple question: What are your specific needs and operational pain points?
Are you focused on reducing kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption or peak kW demand? Are you driving toward strict decarbonization goals, trying to improve low light levels for safety, or struggling with the maintenance burden of failing legacy systems? Perhaps you need to meet new energy codes, resolve occupant complaints, or leverage the rapid ROI and short payback of a lighting upgrade to help fund longer-payback mechanical system efficiency upgrades, like a new boiler or HVAC unit.
We must fully understand your operational challenges, financial targets, and long-term priorities before we ever develop a solution or recommend a plan of action.
Pearl Street: What’s in a Name?
We are frequently asked, "Where did the name Pearl Street come from, isn’t it your street address?" (it’s not!)
Our name is deeply rooted in the history of electrical power and lighting innovation in the United States. Pearl Street Systems is named after Thomas Edison’s original Pearl Street Station—widely recognized as the world’s first central power plant. Beginning operations in lower Manhattan in the late 19th century near Pearl and Fulton Streets, the station laid the foundation for modern electrical distribution and forever changed how our cities are powered and illuminated.
While the original facility no longer stands, its legacy of innovation, infrastructure, and technological advancement continues to drive our company today. This historical connection is highly meaningful to us on three levels:
- Engineering Heritage: Our founder, Bruce Curtis, began his engineering career in 1986 working within Con Edison’s power generation and electrical distribution system in New York. This formative experience established the strong, technical, engineering-driven foundation that Pearl Street Systems is built upon today.
- Industry Transformation: Thomas Edison’s work fundamentally transformed the lighting industry. Just as the incandescent lamp revolutionized its era, modern LED lighting and advanced controls continue to redefine how buildings operate today.
- Regional Roots: Edison was deeply associated with New Jersey’s history of innovation and industry. Pearl Street Systems was founded in New Jersey by a team incredibly proud of those local roots.
Pearl Street’s name honors a legacy of historical innovation while perfectly reflecting our identity: a seamless blend of expert engineering, energy infrastructure, and forward-thinking technology.