Commercial Real Estate

Looking for Balance

On the cheerful morning of March 31, about 20 of the area's commercial real estate leaders met at Ingram’s well situated offices in the newly prosperous Freight House District of Kansas City. The assembly was part of Ingram’s ongoing Industry Outlook series. Sponsoring the assembly were First First Scout Realty Advisors and CB Richard Ellis. Chairing it were Bucky Brooks of Scout and Rick Baier of CB Richard Ellis.

More so than in years past, virtually all sectors of the commercial real estate industry appeared optimistic about the future—retail, industrial, residential, and even office, despite the continued softness of that market. The search now seemed to be for balance between buyers and sellers and among the various sectors and regions.

Opportunities

As a first question, participants were asked to relate what they saw as the next great avenue of opportunity either in their specialty area or in the industry as a whole.

“In terms of the next big thing,” said David Hickman with CB Richard Ellis, “we see the trend of the mixed-use project.” Hickman cited here Zona Rosa, Downtown Kansas City and the Mission Farms development as relevant examples, given their blend of residential and retail.

(front row, left to right)

Pat McGannon, Kessinger Hunter

Bob Schock, Yarco Companies

Doug McFadden, CB Richard Ellis

Michael Blake, Collateral Mortgage Co.

Rick Baier, CB Richard Ellis (Co-Chair)

(back row, left to right)

Ken Jaggers, Integra Realty Resources

Mike Fishman, Fishman & Co.

Mike Rainen, The Rainen Companies

Bucky Brooks, First Scout Realty Advisors (Co-Chair)

Olen Monsees, B.A. Karbank & Co.

Debora Field, The Field Company

Mike Klamm, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker

Dan Clothier, Downtown Area Developer

Doug Weltner, Grubb & Ellis/The Winbury Group

David Hickman, CB Richard Ellis

Brian Beggs, Block & Co.

Charles Garney, Briarcliff Development