Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame: Fritz Kauffman

Each week, Midwest Real Estate News highlights the careers of the newest members of its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Today, we look at the career of Fritz Kauffman, senior director with the Indianapolis office of Cushman & Wakefield.

Years in the business: 38

An experienced leader: Cushman & Wakefield’s Fritz Kauffman has worked in commercial real estate for nearly four decades. To last that long? You know Kauffman has been successful. The numbers tell the story: During the last five years alone, Kauffman has completed more than 350 transactions valued at more than $300 million and covering more than 15 million square feet.

A strong client list: With such a successful career, Kauffman has generated a long list of repeat clients. These long-term clients include Rolls-Royce North America, Westcon Group, Clarion Partners, Heartland Food Products Group, Aaron’s Inc. and Wood-Mizer.

“I really enjoy meeting new people and building relationships with my clients,” Kauffman said. “With a strong passion for this business and a strong work ethic, I thrive on helping my clients solve their problems. Putting myself in their shoes and deciding how I would want to be advised is my approach.”

Big deals: During his nearly 40 years in the business, Kauffman has closed some of the bigger deals in Indianapolis and across the country. This includes a lease of 444,000 square feet for Rolls Royce for its test cell and distribution center in Fort Worth, Texas. Kauffman also represented Clarion Partners in the leasing of its 2.1-million-square-foot Indianapolis portfolio and Westcon Group in the lease of its 110,000-square-foot distribution center in Plainfield, Indiana.

“My goal is to become my client’s full-service point of contact,” Kauffman said. “To do this, I listen to understand their requirements and objectives. Next, I commit the resources, experience and technology of my team to exceed their expectations by delivering innovative, real-time, value-added solutions. You must pay attention to the details.”

Award-winner: Kauffman has earned several key industry honors during his career. He earned the Cushman & Wakefield Indianapolis President’s Club Award in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and is a lifetime member of the George C. Charbonneau Leadership and Performance Award. Kauffman was also a presenter at the State of Real Estate Indianapolis event from 1987 through 1989 and in 2010 and 2011.

Supporting his community: Outside of work, Kauffman has been a strong supporter of his community. He is a member of the Conexus Indiana Central Regional Logistics Council, development committee member for Notre Dame Ace Academies and Real Estate Workshop guest lecturer for the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Kauffman has also been active with the Association for Corporate Growth, serving on its board of directors, membership committee and programs committee.

Out-of-office hours: Kauffman, when not working for his clients, enjoys spending time with his family, traveling with his wife, working out and studying genealogy.