Dan Canvasser
Executive Managing Director
Newmark
Southfield, Michigan
How big of an impact has Dan Canvasser had on the Detroit-area commercial real estate business? Just consider the numbers: During the past 20 years, he has closed more than 1,700 leases and 122 sales valued at more than $1.1 billion and 13.1 million square feet.
How has Canvasser generated such impressive numbers? The reasons are simple: He works hard. He studies his market. He adapts when the commercial real estate market evolves. And he is absolutely committed to negotiating the best deals and delivering the best results to his clients.
This combination explains why Canvasser has generated such a steady stream of long-term clients during his career. As any successful commercial real estate professional knows, building lasting relationships is this key to success in the real estate arena.
Canvasser oversees a team of two other professionals that represents about 5.8 million square feet of space throughout metropolitan Detroit. The most notable transaction of his career was the re-capitalization of a client’s portfolio that resulted in the sale of 24 properties totaling 2.2 million square feet with a value of $240 million.
Canvasser was also previously named the leasing agent for Hudson’s Detroit, one of the newest speculative developments in the region.
A key reason for Canvasser’s success? He points to the talented team with which he works and the mentors who have helped him guide him.
“Since my first day in the commercial real estate business, I have worked in the same office with mostly the same group of individuals. My business started with a truly amazing mentor, and it has grown to include the entire office,” Canvasser said. “The ability to brainstorm and communicate with the others around me allows me to find the success in my business that I might have not otherwise have achieved.”
In addition to his impressive sales and leasing numbers, Canvasser has also earned a series of key industry awards during his career.
In fact, Canvasser’s commercial real estate career began with a prestigious award in 2005, when he was recognized as Rookie of the Year and ranked second among top-producing rookies nationally for Grubb & Ellis.
That award is just one of many that Canvasser has earned. Over the years, he has continued to distinguish himself in the industry by earning several noteworthy accolades:
- Costar Power Broker
- Newmark Top Producer Nationally.
- CBOR’s 2011 Largest Deal of the Year.
- CCIM’s Michigan Transaction of the Year in 2018.
- Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Leaders in Commercial Real Estate.
In addition to these awards, Canvasser has also been nominated for the following honors:
- CoreNet Top Broker in 2022.
- DBusiness Commercial Real Estate Broker of the Year.
- REjournals Commercial Real Estate Detroit 2025 Broker of the Year – Leasing.
“The commercial real estate business is a business that requires you to put in the time to achieve the results through hard work and dedication to the business,” Canvasser said. “Each day, I begin and end my day by devising a plan to improve and achieve better results the following day.”
When not focusing on work, Canvasser enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.
“Whether it is watching my son play sports or my daughters dance, these moments are significant for our family,” he said.
