Each year, Midwest Real Estate News inducts a new class into its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Last year, despite its challenges, was no exception. Here’s a look at the busy career of one of our new inductees, Chris Bruzas, senior director with the Indianapolis office of Berkadia.
Chris Bruzas joined Berkadia Real Estate Advisors, Inc. in 2015 as a director and was promoted to senior director in 2020. Born and raised in Indianapolis, he attended Indiana University, Bloomington, with a major in management and a minor in business.
“I love being a part of a network of such successful and driven professionals,” said Bruzas. “I also love that the commercial real estate industry is so fast-paced and constantly changing. You have to be eager to adapt and learn to keep up with it.”
With more than 13,000 units sold for more than $1 billion in total consideration, Bruzas takes pride in delivering the highest-quality advisement and disposition services to both private and institutional clients across the country. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t faced his share of challenges in CRE, none more so than during the pandemic of 2020.
“The industry in itself constantly keeps you on your toes in the sense that you always have to be looking ahead at the next deal. However, no one could have anticipated the challenges brought on by COVID-19,” said Bruzas. “This past year has been difficult to navigate, but with the proper tools and technology we have here at Berkadia, we were able to step up to the plate and continue to smoothly close every listing we marketed.”
Bruzas leverages his relationships with his clients to establish premium pricing and works directly with his investors to create and preserve wealth to accomplish their financial goals. In February 2020, he sold and financed the H7 Portfolio, the largest multifamily sale in the state of Indiana to-date and in the Midwest in 2019 by unit-count with 1,842 units located in Central Indiana.
“I try my best to put my clients’ wants, needs and time first, above all else. At the start of every transaction, I get a full understanding of what the client is looking to achieve and ultimately provide them the greatest value,” Bruzas said. “In addition, I prioritize long-term relationships with my clients over short-term rewards.”
When not at work, Bruzas loves to travel, and he really looks forward to getting back to that when the world is able to return to some sense of normalcy. He is also a huge NFL fan and enjoys spending time with his family, friends and his dog, Mac.
