As part of our series, CRE Future Leaders, we caught up with Adam Naparsteck, director of acquisitions for High Street Realty Company’s Midwest regional office in Chicago.
Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up, where did you go to school?
I grew up in New York City. I moved to the Midwest—Barrington, IL—halfway through high school. I missed the East Coast so I went to Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire thinking I would move to New York or Boston after school. Now I consider myself a reformed New Yorker, although I’ll always be a fan of the New York Mets.
When you were young, what did you aspire to be?
I wanted to be a psychologist and help people.
How did you get your start in the industry?
My close friend’s father is an industrial broker and offered me a job as his junior broker. He had just completed a $50,000,000 sale that was nominated for transaction of the year. I thought a 100 percent commission job was the right thing to do at 22 and immediately accepted the opportunity to join his team and learn about industrial real estate.
Did you have a mentor who helped you get on your feet, or is there someone you turn to now for support?
I’ve been fortunate to have several great mentors during my time in real estate. There are certainly individuals that have had a greater influence in my career, but there’s a lot to learn from many of the people you meet on your journey and I try to take the best of what I’ve experienced and apply that to my own life/business.
What does a day in the life of Adam Naparsteck look like?
I start the day by taking our dog for a walk around the neighborhood—a great way to wake up and gather my thoughts. From there it’s a mix of meeting with brokers (usually over a meal), touring buildings, underwriting new acquisition opportunities and working with our asset and property managers to make sure we’re keeping our tenants happy and meeting our fund objectives. If I can get a workout in and cook a meal at home with my wife after all that, it’s been a successful day.
What do you like most about your job?
I most enjoy the problem-solving needed to close deals. Also, each day is different and the people that make up our community make real estate a fun business to be in.
Looking to the future, what do you hope to achieve/work on that you haven’t already?
I recently started in a new acquisition role with High Street Realty. I’m hoping to expand our presence in Chicago and help grow our platform.
How do you spend your time away from the office?
I take advantage of the fantastic food scene in Chicago way more than I should. I also really enjoy traveling, skiing, live music and getting in the occasional run on the 606.
What is your most prized possession?
If my house was on fire, after making sure my wife and dog were safe, I’d grab my phone and my passport.
Who would you like to see answer these questions?
Darcie Fankhauser with Ridge, Curran Darling with Distribution Realty Group, or John Tschantz with Hilco. All three work or are always working on interesting industrial projects.
