Each week, Midwest Real Estate News highlights the careers of one of the newest members of its Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Today, we look at the busy career of Matt Hartlage, senior vice president with the Louisville, Kentucky, office of JLL.
Years in the business: 14
Strong results: While specializing in the leasing and sale of industrial properties throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana, Matt Hartlage from 2014 through late 2018 closed transactions of more than 7.8 million square feet. These transactions totaled more than $226 million in volume.
During this time, Hartlage has closed several of the biggest deals in the region. This includes representing Bluegrass Supply Chain in its lease of 252,515 square feet, WPT Capital Advisors in the speculative construction and subsequent leasing of 224,000 square feet and New Mill Capital in the sale of the 475,000-square-foot former Pillsbury plant to Sazerac.
The rewards: What does Hartlage enjoy most about commercial real estate? The relationships he’s formed.
“It is incredibly rewarding when a client becomes a friend first and a client second,” Hartlage said.
Hartlage also enjoys solving his clients’ problems and seeing the successes they enjoy following a big deal.
The path to success: Like most successful CRE professionals, Hartlage doesn’t follow any secret formula to success. Instead, he relies on hard work, honesty and industry knowledge.
“I’m thorough and follow through the entire real estate process, truly owning my client’s project from start to finish,” Hartlage said. “I keep my pulse on market activity and conditions so that I am equipped with the required information to properly guide and educate my clients.”
Empathy matters: “I try to view each decision as though I am in the client’s shoes,” Hartlage said. “Understanding the deal as though the investment was coming out of my own pocket helps me understand the challenges each client is facing and best determine a strategy that will meet their specific goals.”
Award-winner: Not surprisingly, given this level of production, Hartlage has earned several industry awards. He was named a CoStar Power Broker from 2014 through 2016, and in 2015 earned the Louisville Business First Industrial Sale/Lease Transaction of the Year.
Serving his industry and community: Hartlage has found time to give back to both his community and his industry. He belongs to the Louisville Board of Realtors, SIOR and his local CCIM chapter. Hartlage is a board member of the Charlie’s Kids Foundation, a member of the St. Xavier Plant Committee and a member of the March of Dimes’ REACH Committee.
Out-of-office hours: When not working, Hartlage said he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters. He is also an avid golfer and fan of college sports.
