Brent Dolen
Senior Director
Cushman & Wakefield|Commercial Kentucky
Louisville
As a senior director specializing in office, retail and investment properties, Brent Dolen has completed more than 3.5 million square feet of sales and leasing transactions since joining Cushman & Wakefield|Commercial Kentucky in 2017.
And these sales have made a big impact: They have generated nearly $288 million in transaction value.
Dolen was recognized as one of Louisville Business First’s “20 People to Know in Real Estate” in 2016 and received a Commercial Real Estate Champion award from Louisville Business First that same year. Additionally, he earned his CCIM designation in 2017, serving as Kentucky Chapter president in 2019. He also earned his SIOR designation in 2023. In 2020 and 2022 Brent was recognized by KCREA as the Office Broker of the Year.
Dolen has experience in both Louisville’s downtown and suburban markets. In 2018, he led the brokerage team efforts at First Trust Centre, a historic 135,000-square-foot office property in the heart of Louisville’s CBD. When hired, the property was 43% occupied. Dolen’s leasing efforts quickly resulted in two long-term lease renewals as well as a new 51,000-square-foot lease commitment, bringing building occupancy to 85% in a year’s time. Dolen’s team then sold the building, securing a successful exit for the previous building owner.
“I love meeting new people and building relationships in this business,” Dolen said. “I’ve been fortunate to work on some significant deals that are changing our city for the better, but I’m more proud of the relationships that were developed that helped make those deals happen.”
Dolen also sold the former US Bank headquarters in an off-market sale during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was able to attract Louisville-based Churchill Downs to the property. CDI redeveloped the office building into a new gaming and entertainment venue. The project was completed in December 2023, making a major impact on the downtown Louisville landscape.
Dolen is now leading leasing efforts at 500 W. Jefferson St, a 29-story, 550,000-square-foot office tower that has undergone a $16 million renovation. From October 2021 to the present, Brent’s team has produced nearly 200,000 square feet in new leasing and renewal activity at the building.
In the suburbs, Dolen represents WMBR BNA as a leasing agent for a seven-building, 600,000-square-foot Class-A office portfolio. The portfolio is currently 90% leased.
In addition, Dolen recently represented Congo Brands, owners of the popular Alani Nu and PRIME Energy drink brands, in the $14 million acquisition of the company’s new Louisville headquarters.
“The biggest reason for my success in this business is the people in my life that have supported me on this journey,” Dolen said.
This includes Dolen’s wife, who he says encouraged him to keep going when the going was tough. Dolen also credited his business mentors, fellow brokers and colleagues and his clients.
“I’m persistent and I’ll keep showing up to the office,” Dolen said. “But without the people in my life and what they’ve poured into me, none of my success would be possible.”
When not working, Dolen loves to travel with his family, including skiing out west and visiting the beaches in Florida. You’ll often find Dolen, too, at one of his children’s various school or sports events, which Dolen says he loves most of all.
