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 one of our new inductees, Paul Rupprecht, president of R&R Real Estate Advisors in West Des Moines, Iowa.
With nearly 30 years of experience, Paul Rupprecht ranks as one of the most successful and respected commercial real estate professionals in the Des Moines market.
And as president of West Des Moines-based R&R Real Estate Advisors, he also leads one of the busiest commercial real estate companies in the region.
What’s the secret behind Rupprecht’s success? It’s simple: He believes in the value of hard work, providing clients with top service and staying abreast of the trends and changes in his local market. This is an old-fashioned formula, but it’s worked for Rupprecht.
Rupprecht focuses on office, retail and warehouse space in the Des Moines market. While he’s closing deals, he also oversees all brokerage operations at R&R Real Estate Advisors. This includes the marketing and leasing efforts for more than 7 million square feet of commercial space.
Again, Rupprecht juggles these responsibilities by working both hard and efficiently. No CRE broker ever outworks this industry veteran. It’s why he’s managed to grow his career so steadily during nearly three decades in commercial real estate.
What has kept Rupprecht involved in commercial real estate for so long? Simple: It’s a job he loves.
“I enjoy the process of putting deals together and seeing the tangible result when they’re completed,” he said.
This doesn’t mean there haven’t been challenges. Every CRE professional struggled with the hurdles thrown up by 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Rupprecht is no exception. The difference? He continued to work extremely hard to serve his clients. That has helped him, and R&R, work through even the worst days of the pandemic.
“The Great Recession was certainly difficult,” Rupprecht said. “But the current pandemic and its unpredictability is absolutely our biggest current challenge. What’s important to bear in mind is that these challenges, like all challenges, bring opportunities along with them.”
Rupprecht, though, isn’t just a successful entrepreneur. He’s also connected to his community. He graduated from Iowa State University and has long been active within the state. He is involved with the Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association, the Young Presidents Organization and the United Way of Central Iowa.
When he’s not working, Rupprecht prefers to spend time with his family on the golf course.
