More than 130 commercial real estate professionals working the Kansas City-area market attended Midwest Real Estate News’ Feb. 13 Kansas City State of the Market and Awards Gala held at the Park 39 — Medallion Theater.
The event featured a State-of-the-Market panel featuring some of the biggest names in the Kansas City market. And these professionals shared plenty of good news regarding the local commercial real estate market.
Participating in the Kansas City Commercial Real Estate & Development Update panel were Audrey Navarro, Managing Partner, Clemons Real Estate; Alfredo Gutierrez, Founder, SparrowHawk; Caleb Buland, Managing Partner, Exact Architects; Michael Collins, Founder & CEO, Grayson Capital; Bob Mayer, President, MR Capital Advisors; Erin Johnston, Senior Vice President, Retail Brokerage, Copaken Brooks; and Brent Peterson, Partner, NAI Heartland.
Yes, the Kansas City market faces challenges, especially in its office sector. But the local market also boasts several positives. For one, Kansas City remains an in-demand destination for businesses looking for low taxes, a strong labor force, business-friendly governments and a prime location in the center of the country.
Then there’s the performance of Kansas City’s other commercial sectors. Panelists pointed to the multifamily and industrial sectors as being especially strong. And the retail and healthcare sectors here have proven resilient, too.
Overall? Panelists said that Kansas City continues to boast a commercial real estate market with strong fundamentals, one that remains attractive to business owners, developers and investors.
Awards Ceremony
After the State-of-the-Market panel, the event switched focus. It was time for the awards ceremony. During this event, Midwest Real Estate News honored the top CRE professionals in the Kansas City market, celebrating the accomplishments of developers, brokers, property managers, real estate lawyers, contractors and city officials.
To thrive in today’s often challenging market? That’s a true testament to the skill of these professionals.
Those picking up awards during the ceremony include:
Flaherty & Collins earned the Property Management Company of the Year award.
Mark Long, president and chief executive officer, accepts the award for Brokerage Firm of the Year on behalf of Newmark Zimmer.
Hunt Midwest won Developer of the Year, while the company’s president and chief executive officer, Ora Reynolds, was named Executive of the Year.
Occidental Management took home the Owner/Landlord of the Year award.
Greenwood Consulting Group was named Subcontractor of the Year.
Tyler Asbury, executive vice president with EXACT Architects, was named Emerging Leader of the Year.
Scott Bluhm, senior managing director with Newmark Zimmer, earned the Broker of the Year award.
Tina Chace, executive director of the Platte County Economic Development Council, accepts the award for City/County of the Year.
McCownGordon Construction earned the General Contractor of the Year award.
Other winners not pictured include:
- Diane Botwin, Botwin Commercial Development, Property Manager of the Year
- Blake Cauble-Johnson, Stockton & Kandt, Real Estate Lawyer of the Year
